Shoulder Pain in Cedar Hill, MO. If you live with shoulder pain, you know how hard it can be to manage. It makes any daily task from strapping on a seatbelt to serving an ace on the tennis court painful and, in some cases, not even an option. But you do not need to live the rest of your life with pain and limited shoulder movement. At Axes PT in Cedar Hill, MO, our professional 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 turn your shoulder pain from a daily occurrence into a thing of the past. Make an appointment online or find our location most convenient for you.

How Does the Shoulder Work? | Shoulder Pain in Cedar Hill, MO

The shoulder is one of the the largest and most complex joints we have. In actuality, what we call the shoulder joint is made up of four different joints:

1. The glenohumeral (GH) joint is the joint responsible for connecting the upper extremity to the trunk. Given the relatively shallow socket, it allows for more movement than any other joint.
2. The acromioclavicular (AC) joint is formed by the junction of the clavicle the acromion, the bony tip on the outer edge of the scapula. A plane joint, it allows your shoulder blade to follow the movements of the other shoulder joints.
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 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 scapula and its articulation with the ribcage.

In order to support those four joints, the shoulder consists of:

• the four muscles of the rotator cup covering the head of the humerus, which allow for movement movement and stabilize the ball of the humerus within the shoulder socket
• the shoulder capsule, a a fluid-filled sac that surrounds and lubricates the shoulder
• the four shoulder ligaments which provide passive stability while still allowing for a wide range of movements
• 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 arteries that pump nutrient-rich blood to the shoulder

In order for the shoulder to function properly every joint, ligament, tendon, muscle, artery, capsule, and nerve must be able to work together. Blood must be allowed to reach the shoulder keep oxygen levels and muscles strong and repair minor damage. The muscles must have adequate strength and flexibility, the tendons connecting them to the bones must be strong, flexible, and free of rips or tears, the ligaments connecting bones need to be similarly healthy, and messages most be able to be sent and received between the brain and shoulder. When any one of the parts of the shoulder is damaged, inflamed, or otherwise irritated, 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 no-risk, no-obligation injury screening.

What’s Behind My Shoulder Pain?

As the shoulder has so many moving parts, shoulder pain can have any of a number of root causes, from sports injuries to falls, a work injury from overuse to old age. Below are the most common underlying conditions that lead to shoulder pain in Cedar Hill, MO:

• Bursitis — The bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that act as shock absorbers and reduce friction in joints. Bursitis occurs when the bursae because swollen after overuse, often occurs in association with shoulder impingement, and can make basic tasks like laying down to go to sleep tremendously painful.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis is typically caused by inflammation or irritation of a tendon. It typically falls into one of two categories:
  • Acute: This can happen because of a sudden blow, repeated overhead motions, or other overhead activities needed in some competitive and activities and fields of employment, such as track and field throwing events or lifting and lowering objects.
  • Chronic: The result of degenerative conditions or the body becoming weaker as we age.

  The condition causes pain and tenderness just outside the joint.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be acute, such falling on an outstretched arm, or repetitive movements or old age. They usually start with fraying and then tear. A partial tear often goes unnoticed. Full-thickness tears, which go all the way through the tendon, often require surgery. Associated symptoms are having difficulty raising your arm or lifting things you normally can, pain when lying on the side of the affected shoulder, and a popping feeling when performing certain motions.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement is the result of soft tissue rubbing against your shoulder blade. It is often the result of rotator cuff swellings after 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 ball of the humerus is allowed to move out of the socket when the capsule or ligaments become damaged, and also can happen suddenly or from overuse. 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 is accompanied by injury to the surrounding areas of the shoulder. Chronic instability will result in shoulder pain and a sense of the shoulder “giving way.”
• Arthritis — While arthritis refers to a range of diagnoses, osteoarthritis is the condition that typically affects the shoulder. It occurs when the cartilage cushioning the ends of your bones weakens and wears away. Common causes include tissue weakening as we become older, persistent trauma, and overuse. Arthritis cannot be cured, but effective pain management can be found with Cedar Hill, MO physical and occupational therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The upper arm bone, collarbone, and scapula are the bones in the shoulder most prone to breaking. 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 considerable inflammation and contusions.
• Axillary Nerve Injuries or Brachial Plexus Injuries — Nerve damage in the shoulder is the result of when nerves are stretched, when scar tissue blocks their electric signals, or the nerves burst. Axillary nerve and brachial plexus injuries can cause shoulder pain along with a range of other sensations. They are commonly caused by high-impact trauma but can also occur because of overuse.

At times, one injury leads to another, for example instability that leads to impingement. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain, one of our no-risk, free injury screenings in Cedar Hill, MO may help determine the underlying cause. If you’ve sustained a severe injury or have severe shoulder pain, a physician in Cedar Hill, 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 personalized treatment plan with experienced physical therapists and movement health specialists in Cedar Hill, MO can be a successful way to return to the things you love to do the most.

Treating Your Shoulder Pain in Cedar Hill, MO

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, coordinated together with your surgeon, 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 sports or go back to 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 harder-to-reach damaged soft tissue 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 and your shoulder and stay healthy and active
• Other safe, effective exercises to optimize your mobility

Missouri Law dictates that you need a prescription to attend physical therapy appointments, so it’s important to speak to your Cedar Hill, MO doctor 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 Cedar Hill, 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

Cedar Hill, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

Optimal movement health is essential to not only carrying out daily tasks with ease, but to doing the things we love. At Axes, we focus on positive outcomes for Cedar Hill, MO people of all ages by developing evidence-backed treatment plans catered to 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. Request an appointment online or find the location most convenient for you.