Shoulder Pain in Calverton Park, MO. Those who experience shoulder pain know how debilitating it can be. It makes any basic task from brushing your teeth to playing volleyball frustrating and, in some cases, unfeasible. But pain and limited shoulder movement is usually manageable and beatable with safe and effective treatment. At Axes PT in Calverton Park, MO, our experienced physical therapists specialize in personalized treatment modalities, backed by proven research, to get you back to the activities you love most. Trust in us to turn your shoulder pain from a daily occurrence into a thing of the past. Schedule an appointment online or reach out to our location nearest you.

The Anatomy of the Shoulder | Shoulder Pain in Calverton Park, MO

The shoulder is one of the the largest and most intricate joints we have. In reality, it is made up of four independent smaller 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 has the widest range of motion as any other human joint.
2. The acromioclavicular (AC) joint is formed by the junction of the collarbone the acromion, the bony tip on the outer edge of the scapula. A plane style synovial joint, it allows your shoulder blade to follow the movements of the other shoulder joints.
3. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a gliding joint formed by the collarbone the breastbone at the foundation of the neck. As the only joint that connects the arm to the torso, it it ensures your arm and body act in tandem.
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.

The shoulder is supported and surrounded by:

• the four muscles of the rotator cup covering the head of the upper arm bone, which are responsible for movement and keep the ball of the upper arm bone stable
• the shoulder capsule, a tough sheath or membrane that surrounds and protects the joints in the shoulder
• the four shoulder ligaments which attach bones together and provide stability for the capsule
• the biceps tendon and rotator cuff tendons which allow muscles to power the bones
• 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 pump nutritious blood to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons

In order for the shoulder to function properly every joint, ligament, tendon, muscle, artery, capsule, and nerve must be able to work together. Sufficient blood must flow to the shoulder efficiently to keep oxygen levels and muscles strong 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 you’re experiencing shoulder pain or any other symptoms of a shoulder injury, contact Axes’ physical therapists for a complimentary injury screening.

What’s Behind My Shoulder Pain?

Shoulder pain can be caused by a variety of circumstances, from sports injuries to acute trauma, a work injury from repeated activities to our bodies just getting weaker as we get older. Below are the most common underlying conditions that lead to shoulder pain in Calverton Park, MO:

• Bursitis — The bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that cushion bones, tendons, and muscles in and around your shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, and other joints. Bursitis the result of the bursae becoming inflamed after repeated activities, often occurs at the same time as rotator cuff tendinitis, and can make daily activities like carrying groceries exceedingly painful.
• 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, repeated overhead motions, or other overhead activities needed in some competitive and activities and occupations, such as throwing overhead or lifting boxes overhead.
  • Chronic: This can happen because of degenerative conditions or general weakness as we get weaker.

  Symptoms include aching, throbbing, and mild swelling.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be caused by acute injuries, like falling on an outstretched arm, or more chronic in nature. The tendon is initially frayed before becoming torn. A partial tear often goes unnoticed. Complete tears, which pull the tendon off the bone, do not heal by themselves. Symptoms include pain with certain movements, pain when lying on the side of the affected shoulder, and a clicking feeling when performing certain motions.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement is the result of the rotator cuff and bursae rubbing against your shoulder blade. It often occurs in tandem with an injury that causes inflammation in the rotator cuff. Shoulder impingement occurs the most in people who play sports or are otherwise active.
• Shoulder Instability — This happens when the humerus is allowed to move out of the socket when the capsule or ligaments become stretched, torn, or detached, and also can be the result of injury or overuse. 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 result in shoulder pain and a sense of the shoulder “giving way.”
• Arthritis — While there are at least six types of arthritis, osteoarthritis is the form that typically affects the shoulder. Osteoarthritis is the degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bones. Common causes include tissue weakening as we become older, frequent injuries, and wear and tear. Arthritis cannot be cured, but effective pain management is possible with Calverton Park, MO physical therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The humerus, collarbone, and shoulder blade are the most commonly broken bones in the shoulder. They are often the result of falling a significant distance or onto a hard surface or forceful collisions such as a car accident. The shoulder pain is immediate and obvious, along with substantial swelling and bruising.
• Axillary Nerve Injuries or Brachial Plexus Injuries — Nerve damage in the shoulder is the result of when nerves are stretched, 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 commonly caused by sudden trauma but can also occur because of degenerative conditions.

Sometimes, injuries are intertwined, such as a fracture causing damage to the nerves. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain, one of our no-risk, free injury screenings in Calverton Park, MO may help determine the underlying cause. If you’ve sustained a severe injury or have severe shoulder pain, a physician in Calverton Park, MO may use a physical examination, various imaging techniques, and/or arthroscopy to discover the cause. For most injuries or conditions that cause shoulder pain, a customized treatment plan with certified physical therapists and movement health specialists in Calverton Park, 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 Calverton Park, MO

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

• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization to identify degenerative tissue, break down scar tissue, and treat the affected area
• Pre- and post-surgical rehabilitation, based on a plan with come up with alongside your physician, if your shoulder pain was caused by an injury that needed surgery to correct
• Kinesio Taping® to reduce pain and inflammation and keep you safe as you participate in physical activity or work while your body heals
• Blood flow restriction training to strengthen muscles while reducing overall stress on the shoulder
• Trigger point dry needling to target irritated muscles, ligaments, and tendons deeper in the body to encourage the body’s natural healing processes
• Posture correction to make sure you do not contribute to your injuries or heal improperly
• Injury prevention so you do not lose your active lifestyle in the future
• Other safe, effective techniques to increase and maintain your mobility

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

Other services we offer in Calverton Park, 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

Calverton Park, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

Optimal movement health is imperative to not only living our every day life, but to doing the things we love. At Axes, we focus on positive outcomes for our Calverton Park, MO clients by developing evidence-backed treatment plans based on 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. Request an appointment through our website or call the location nearest you.