Shoulder Pain in Bridgeton, MO. If you live with shoulder pain, you know how hard it can be to manage. It can make any daily task from strapping on a seatbelt to playing volleyball painful and, in some cases, not even an option. But you do not have to accept pain and limited shoulder movement. At Axes Physical Therapy in Bridgeton, MO, our professional physical therapists specialize in personalized treatment plans, proven to work through research, to get you back to optimal movement health. Allow us to safely and effectively treat your shoulder pain. Schedule an appointment online or call our location most convenient for you.

How Does the Shoulder Work? | Shoulder Pain in Bridgeton, MO

The shoulder is among human body’s largest and most complex joints. In actuality, it is made up of four independent smaller joints:

1. The glenohumeral (GH) joint is the joint where the humerus (upper arm bone) fits into the socket of the glenoid. Given the relatively shallow socket, it is the most mobile joint in the body.
2. The acromioclavicular (AC) joint connects the collarbone to the acromion, the bony tip on the outer edge of the shoulder blade. A plane style synovial joint, it allows for additional rotation of the shoulder blade.
3. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a plane-style synovial joint formed by the clavicle the breastbone at the base of the neck. This joint is where the arm and body meet, it it ensures your arm and body move in coordination.
4. The scapulothoracic (ST) “joint” is more of a “floating” joint as it does not have does not have union by fibrous, cartilaginous or synovial tissues. It is made up of the scapula and its articulation with the ribcage.

In addition to those four joints, the shoulder consists of:

• the four muscles of the rotator cup that surround the head of the humerus, which power movement and keep the ball of the humerus slipping out of the socket
• the shoulder capsule, a tough sheath or membrane that encloses the joints in the shoulder
• the ligaments of the shoulder which provide passive stability while still allowing for movements in different planes
• the tendons in the biceps and shoulder which attach muscle to bone
• the brachial plexus nerves that allow for the brain and muscles to communicate with each other
• the blood vessels that pump much-needed blood to the shoulder

In order for the shoulder to function properly the entire complex system must be able to work together. Sufficient blood must reach to the shoulder efficiently to keep oxygen levels and muscles strong and stimulate the body’s natural recovery processes. The muscles must have adequate strength and flexibility, the tendons attaching bone and muscle must be intact and strong, the ligaments connecting bones need to be similarly healthy, and the nerves need to have a strong and secure connection to the brain. When any of these functions are not being carried out in a healthy way, it can lead to a breakdown of the entire system, and anywhere from nagging to severe shoulder pain or loss of function. If if shoulder pain or poor shoulder movement is part of your daily life, reach out to Axes’ physical therapists for a free injury screening.

What’s Behind My Shoulder Pain?

Shoulder pain can be caused by a variety of circumstances, from sports injuries to a car accident, a work injury from repeated activities to old age. The following are common causes of shoulder pain that our team see in Bridgeton, MO:

• Bursitis — The bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that work as a cushion and gliding surface between tissues. Bursitis the result of the bursae becoming irritated after repeated activities, often occurs in association with rotator cuff tendinitis, and can make daily activities like laying down for bed immensely difficult.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis generally occurs because of inflammation or irritation of a tendon. There are two causes of tendinitis:
  • Acute: The result of a sudden blow, excessive overhead motions, or other overhead activities common in some sports and occupations, such as throwing overhead or moving objects above your head.
  • Chronic: The result of degenerative conditions or the body becoming weaker as we get older.

  Symptoms include aching, throbbing, and slight swelling.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be acute, such lifting an incredibly heavy object, or wear and tear. They usually start with fraying and then tear. A partial thickness tear often goes unnoticed. Complete tears, which go all the way through the tendon, often require surgery. Symptoms include pain with specific movements, pain when lying on the side of the affected shoulder, and a grinding sensation with certain movements.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement occurs when your acromion (the bony tip of your shoulder blade) pinches the rotator cuff and bursae. It often occurs in tandem with an injury that causes inflammation in the rotator cuff. Shoulder impingement is rarely caused by overuse, but rather by physical activity.
• Shoulder Instability — This occurs when the head of the upper arm bone is exits the shoulder socket, and also can be the result of injury or wear and tear. Dislocations can be repeated and partial or the entire bone coming out of the socket. It often is accompanied by injury to the surrounding areas of the shoulder. Long-term instability will cause shoulder pain and a sense of the shoulder “giving way.”
• Arthritis — While there are many kinds of arthritis, the shoulder most typically experiences osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bones. It can be the result of old age, frequent injuries, and wear and tear. Arthritis cannot be cured, but effective pain management can be found with Bridgeton, MO physical and occupational therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The humerus, collarbone, and shoulder blade are the bones in the shoulder most susceptible to breaking. They usually happen as the result of falling from a height or forceful collisions such as being tackles in a football game. The shoulder pain is immediate and obvious, and the shoulder will experience considerable swelling and bruising.
• Axillary Nerve Injuries or Brachial Plexus Injuries — Nerve damage in the shoulder can occur when nerves are impinged on, when scar tissue interferes with signals between the brain and shoulder, or the nerves rupture. Axillary nerve and brachial plexus injuries can cause shoulder pain along with a range of other sensations. They are usually the result of a sudden blow but can also occur because of wear and tear.

At times, one injury leads to another, such as how an untreated rotator cuff tear can lead to arthritis. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain, one of our no-risk, free injury screenings in Bridgeton, MO may help determine the underlying cause. If you’ve sustained a severe injury or have severe shoulder pain, a physician in Bridgeton, MO may use a physical examination, an X-Ray, an MRI, a CT scan, arthrogram, and/or arthroscopy to discover the cause. Most people who experience shoulder pain can find recovery with a personalized treatment plan with knowledgeable physical therapists that specialize in movement health in Bridgeton, MO can be a successful way to return to a pain-free daily life and the active lifestyle you deserve.

Treating Your Shoulder Pain in Bridgeton, MO

Your personalized and evidence-backed physical therapy treatments may include:

• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization to detect and treat any soft tissue disorders
• Pre- and post-surgical rehabilitation, based on a plan with come up with alongside your physician, if you need surgery to relieve your shoulder pain
• Kinesio Taping® to provide support for your shoulder and keep you safe as you participate in sports or go back to work while your body heals
• Blood flow restriction training to improve strength while reducing overall stress on the shoulder
• Trigger point dry needling to attack harder-to-reach damaged soft tissue to encourage the body’s natural healing processes
• Posture correction to ensure you are not inadvertently causing your shoulder pain or heal improperly
• Injury prevention so you can keep participating in the activities you love
• Other safe, effective techniques to optimize your mobility

Missouri Revised Statute §334.506 requires a prescription for physical therapy, so you need to reach out to your Bridgeton, MO physician to see if physical therapy is safe and an effective treatment option for your shoulder pain. Our professional physical and occupational therapists work alongside your primary care physician to make sure you are getting the care that fits into your overall treatment plan.

Other services we offer in Bridgeton, MO include:

• Soft Tissue Mobilization
• Post Surgical Rehabilitation
• Shin Splint Treatment
• Direct Access Physical Therapy
• Gait Analysis
• Pelvic Floor Therapy
• Dry Needling Near Me
• Tendonitis Treatment
• Manual Physical Therapy
• Orthopedic Rehab Near Me

Bridgeton, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

A healthy shoulder is imperative to not only living our every day life, but to doing the things we love. At Axes, we focus on patient results for Bridgeton, MO residents by implementing evidence-backed treatment plans based on your injury, pain level, age, and desired activity level. You do not have to delay in getting back to the things you love doing most and a pain-free life. Schedule an appointment online or reach out to our location most convenient for you.