Shoulder Pain in Bridgeton, MO. Those who suffer from shoulder pain know how debilitating it can be. It makes everything from pouring a cup of coffee to diving for a softball frustrating and, for some of us, impossible. But pain and limited shoulder movement does not have to be a part of your everyday life. At Axes PT in Bridgeton, MO, our licensed physical therapists create customized treatment modalities, proven to work through research, to get you back to striking out opponents, or just combing your hair pain-free. Trust in us to make your shoulder pain a long-forgotten memory. Schedule an appointment through our website or reach out to the location most convenient for you.

The Human Shoulder | Shoulder Pain in Bridgeton, MO

The shoulder is one of the human body’s largest and most complex joints. In truth, what we call the shoulder joint is made up of four different joints:

1. The glenohumeral (GH) joint is a ball and socket joint responsible for connecting the upper extremity to the trunk. As the ball is several times larger than the socket, it is the most mobile joint in the body.
2. The acromioclavicular (AC) joint connects the clavicle to the acromion, the part of the scapula that is the highest part of the shoulder. A gliding joint, it allows for additional rotation of the shoulder blade.
3. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a gliding joint formed by the clavicle the breastbone at the bottom of the neck. As the only joint that connects the arm to the body, 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 ligaments connecting it to bone. It is made up of the shoulder blade 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 upper arm bone, which power movement and stabilize and protect the GH joint
• the shoulder capsule, a tough sheath or membrane that surrounds and protects the shoulder
• the ligaments of the shoulder which help connect bone to bone and help reinforce the capsule
• the biceps tendon and rotator cuff tendons which connect muscle to bone
• the brachial plexus nerves that send motor messages from the brain to muscles and sensory information (like pain) from the joints back to the brain
• the blood vessels that supply nutrient-rich blood to the shoulder

Optimal shoulder and movement health depends on every part of the system being healthy and working together. Blood must be allowed to reach the shoulder maintain healthy soft tissue and repair minor damage. The muscles strong enough to move and flexible enough to safely make those movements, the tendons connecting them to the bones must be intact and strong, the ligaments that attach our bones need to be similarly healthy, and messages most be able to be sent and received between the brain and shoulder. When any of these parts are not at optimal health, it often causes shoulder pain and movement problems. If if shoulder pain or poor shoulder movement is part of your daily life, reach out to Axes’ physical therapists for a complimentary injury screening.

What’s Behind My Shoulder Pain?

As the shoulder has so many moving parts, shoulder pain can have many root causes, from sports injuries to being struck by an object, a work injury from overuse to old age. The following are the most common underlying conditions that lead to shoulder pain in Bridgeton, MO:

• Bursitis — The bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that work as a cushion and gliding surface between muscles, bones, tendons, and skin. Bursitis occurs when the bursae because inflamed after repeated activities, often occurs in association with shoulder impingement, and can make daily tasks like laying down to go to sleep tremendously difficult.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis is typically caused by a tendon becoming irritated. It typically falls into one of two categories:
  • Acute: The result of a sudden blow, excessive overhead motions, or other overhead activities common in some sports and fields of employment, such as swimming or lifting boxes overhead.
  • Chronic: This can happen because of degenerative conditions or general weakness as we get weaker.

  The condition causes pain and tenderness just outside the joint.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be caused by acute injuries, such a blow to the shoulder, or more chronic in nature. They begin with fraying and ultimately tear. People often live with partial tears obliviously. Full-thickness tears, which go all the way through the tendon, do not heal by themselves. Common symptoms are having difficulty raising your arm or lifting things you normally can, pain when sleeping, and a clicking feeling with specific motions.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement is the result of the rotator cuff and bursae rubbing against your shoulder blade. It often occurs in combination with an injury that causes inflammation in the rotator cuff. Shoulder impingement occurs the most in people who are physically active.
• Shoulder Instability — This happens when the ball of the upper arm bone is allowed to move out of the socket when the capsule or ligaments become damaged, and also can happen suddenly or from wear and tear. A dislocation can be partial, coming in and out of the socket, or complete when the bone completely comes out of the socket. It often happens in combination with 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 types of arthritis, osteoarthritis is the form that typically affects the shoulder. It is the result of the cartilage that acts as a shock absorber between your bones degenerates. Common causes include old age, frequent trauma, and wear and tear. There is no cure for arthritis, but you can find effective pain management methods with Bridgeton, MO physical and occupational therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The upper arm bone, collarbone, and scapula are the most commonly broken bones in the shoulder. They are often the result of falling from a height or high-energy collisions such as being tackles in a football game. The shoulder pain is immediate and obvious, and the shoulder will experience substantial swelling and contusions.
• Axillary Nerve Injuries or Brachial Plexus Injuries — Nerve damage in the shoulder can occur when nerves are compressed, when scar tissue interferes with signals between the brain and shoulder, or the nerves are torn into two pieces. Axillary nerve and brachial plexus injuries can cause shoulder pain, stingers, numbness, and loss of sensation in your shoulder, arm, or hand. They are usually the result of sudden trauma but can also occur because of overuse.

Sometimes, injuries are intertwined, for example a fracture that leads to damage to the nerves. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain, one of our no-obligation, 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, various imaging techniques, and/or arthroscopy to discover the cause. Most people who experience shoulder pain can find recovery with a personalized treatment plan with experienced physical therapists and movement health specialists in Bridgeton, MO can be a successful way to return to optimal movement health.

How Do Bridgeton, MO Physical Therapists Treat Shoulder Pain?

Your customized and evidence-backed physical therapy may include any one or a variety of different treatment plans:

• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization to identify soft tissue restrictions, break down scar tissue, and treat the affected area
• Pre- and post-surgical rehabilitation, based on a plan with come up with alongside your doctor, if your shoulder pain was caused by an injury that needed surgery to correct
• Kinesio Taping® to provide support for your shoulder and allow you to participate in physical activity or 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 damaged muscles, ligaments, and tendons deeper in the body to encourage the body’s natural healing processes
• Posture correction to ensure you do not contribute to your injuries or do not heal correctly
• Injury prevention so you do not lose your active lifestyle in the future
• Other safe, effective exercises to increase and maintain your mobility

Missouri Law requires a prescription to attend physical therapy appointments, so you need to reach out to your Bridgeton, MO primary care physician to see if physical therapy is safe and an effective treatment option for your shoulder pain. Our licensed physical and occupational therapists work alongside your primary care physician to ensure your treatment plan fits into your overall treatment plan.

Other services we offer in Bridgeton, MO include:

• Physical Therapy Clinic
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment
• Sciatica Treatment
• Sports Medicine
• Hand Pain Physical Therapy
• Foot & Ankle Pain Treatment
• Hip Pain Treatment
• Plantar Fasciitis Treatment
• Stroke Rehabilitation
• Hip Replacement Physical Therapy

Bridgeton, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

A well-functioning shoulder is essential to not only living our every day life, but to keeping up the active lifestyles we desire. At Axes, we focus on positive outcomes for our Bridgeton, MO clients by creating evidence-backed treatment plans catered to your injury, pain level, age, and the activities you want to get back to. You do not have to delay in getting back to the things you love doing most and a pain-free life. Make an appointment online or call the location most convenient for you.