Shoulder Pain in Campbellton, MO. If you live with shoulder pain, you know how debilitating it can be. It can make everything from strapping on a seatbelt to diving for a softball frustrating and, in some cases, impossible. But you do not need to live the rest of your life with pain and limited shoulder movement. At Axes PT in Campbellton, MO, our experienced physical therapists are experts at creating tailored treatment plans, proven to work through research, to get you back to optimal movement health. Let us help you safely and effectively treat your shoulder pain. Request an appointment online or call the location nearest you.

The Human Shoulder | Shoulder Pain in Campbellton, MO

The shoulder is one of the human body’s largest and most intricate joints. In actuality, what is referred to as the shoulder joint is made up of four different joints:

1. The glenohumeral (GH) joint is a ball and socket joint where the humerus (upper arm bone) fits into a relatively small dish called the glenoid. Given the relatively shallow dish, it allows for more movement than any other joint.
2. The acromioclavicular (AC) joint connects the collarbone to the acromion, the part of the scapula that is the highest part of the shoulder. A plane joint, it allows for additional rotation of the shoulder blade.
3. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a plane-style synovial joint located where the collarbone meets the breastbone at the bottom of the neck. As the only joint that connects the arm to the body, it connects the movement of the upper limb with the core of your body.
4. The scapulothoracic (ST) “joint” is not a true anatomical 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 humerus, which are responsible for movement and stabilize the ball of the humerus within the shoulder socket
• the shoulder capsule, a soft tissue sac that encloses the joints in the shoulder
• the ligaments of the shoulder which help connect bone to bone and provide stability for the capsule
• the tendons in the biceps and shoulder which allow muscles to power the bones
• the brachial plexus nerves that allow for the brain and muscles to communicate with each other
• the arteries that pump much-needed blood to the shoulder

Optimal shoulder and movement health depends on every part of the system functioning well. Blood must flow freely to the shoulder keep oxygen levels and muscles strong and stimulate the body’s natural healing processes. The muscles must have adequate strength and flexibility, the tendons attaching bone and muscle must be strong, flexible, and free of rips or tears, the ligaments that attach our bones need to be similarly healthy, and the brain and shoulder need to have clear communication with each other. When any of these functions are not being carried out in a healthy way, it can lead to a breakdown of the entire complex, and anywhere from nagging to debilitating shoulder pain or loss of function. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain or any other symptoms of a shoulder injury, contact Axes’ physical therapists for a free injury screening.

What’s Behind My Shoulder Pain?

As the shoulder is complex, shoulder pain can have many root causes, from sports injuries to a car accident, 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 Campbellton, MO:

• Bursitis — The bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that act as shock absorbers and reduce friction in joints. Bursitis the result of the bursae becoming irritated after repeated activities, often occurs in association with inflammation of the rotator cuff, and can make basic tasks like getting dressed tremendously painful.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis is typically caused by inflammation or irritation of a tendon. There are two causes of tendinitis:
  • Acute: This can happen because of trauma, excessive throwing, or other overhead activities needed in some competitive and activities and occupations, such as throwing overhead or lifting boxes overhead.
  • Chronic: The result of wear and tear or general weakness as we age.

  Symptoms include a dull ache, tenderness, and slight swelling.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be caused by acute injuries, such lifting an incredibly heavy object, or more chronic in nature. The tendon is initially frayed before becoming torn. A partial tear often goes unnoticed. Complete tears, where the tendon is completely detached from the bone, do not heal by themselves. Associated symptoms are having difficulty raising your arm or lifting things you normally can, pain when sleeping, and a popping feeling when performing specific movements.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement occurs when your acromion (outer edge of your scapula) rubs against the rotator cuff and bursae. It is often the result of rotator cuff swellings because of an injury. Shoulder impingement is rarely caused by overuse, and is most common in athletes or others who engage in physical activity.
• Shoulder Instability — This happens when the head of the upper arm bone 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 wear and tear. Dislocations can be repeated and partial or the entire bone coming out of the socket. It often causes or is the result of injury to the supporting soft tissue of the shoulder. Long-term instability will result in shoulder pain and unsteadiness when performing certain motions.
• Arthritis — While arthritis refers to a range of diagnoses, the shoulder most commonly suffers from osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bones. It can be the result of tissue weakening as we become older, persistent trauma, and overuse. Arthritis cannot be cured, but effective pain management can be found with Campbellton, MO physical therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The upper arm bone, collarbone, and shoulder blade are the most commonly broken bones in the shoulder. They are often the result of falling from a height or forceful collisions such as a car accident. The shoulder pain is immediate and obvious, and the shoulder will experience substantial swelling and bruising.
• Axillary Nerve Injuries or Brachial Plexus Injuries — Nerve damage in the shoulder is the result of when nerves are compressed, when scar tissue blocks signals between the brain and shoulder, or the nerves are otherwise damaged. Axillary nerve and brachial plexus injuries can cause shoulder pain, stingers, tingling, and loss of sensation in your upper extremities. They are usually the result of sudden trauma but can also happen because of degenerative conditions.

At times, one injury leads to another, for example instability that leads to impingement. If you’re currently suffering from shoulder pain, one of our no-risk, free injury screenings in Campbellton, MO may help you discover why you’re experiencing the pain. If you’ve sustained a severe injury or have severe shoulder pain, a physician in Campbellton, MO may use a physical examination, an X-Ray, an MRI, a CT scan, arthrogram, and/or arthroscopy to discover the cause. For most injuries or conditions that cause shoulder pain, a customized treatment plan with experienced physical therapists that are experts in movement health in Campbellton, MO can be a successful way to get you back to a pain-free daily life and the active lifestyle you deserve.

How Do Campbellton, MO Physical Therapists Treat Shoulder Pain?

Your personalized and proven physical therapy treatment plan may include:

• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization to identify degenerative tissue, smooth out scar tissue, and treat the affected area
• Pre- and post-surgical rehabilitation, coordinated together with your physician, if your shoulder pain was caused by an injury that needed surgery to correct
• Kinesio Taping® to provide support for your shoulder and keep you safe as you participate in physical activity or go back to work while your body heals
• Blood flow restriction training to offer your shoulder a low-intensity exercise with high-intensity benefits
• 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 ensure you are not inadvertently causing your shoulder pain or do not heal correctly
• Injury prevention so you and your shoulder and stay healthy and active
• Other safe, effective exercises 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 Campbellton, MO physician to see if physical therapy is safe and an effective treatment option for your shoulder pain. Our professional 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 Campbellton, 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

Campbellton, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

Optimal movement health is important to not only living our every day life, but to doing the things we love. At Axes, we focus on patient results for Campbellton, MO people of all ages by developing evidence-backed treatment plans based on your injury, pain level, age, and desired activity level. Do not wait to get back to the things you love doing most and a pain-free life. Schedule an appointment online or find the location most convenient for you.