Shoulder Pain in Clover Bottom, MO. Those who experience shoulder pain know how hard it can be to manage. It can make everything from watering the flowers to serving an ace on the tennis court frustrating and, in some cases, impossible. But pain and limited shoulder movement is usually manageable and beatable with safe and effective treatment. At Axes PT in Clover Bottom, MO, our licensed physical therapists are experts at developing customized treatment plans, based on evidence, to get you back to striking out opponents, or just combing your hair pain-free. Allow us to safely and effectively treat your shoulder pain. Make an appointment online or reach out to the location nearest you.

How Does the Shoulder Work? | Shoulder Pain in Clover Bottom, MO

The shoulder is one of the the largest and most complex 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 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 scapula. 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 located where the collarbone meets the breastbone at the foundation of the neck. As the only joint that connects the arm to the body, it it ensures your arm and body move in tandem.
4. The scapulothoracic (ST) “joint” is more of a “floating” joint as it does not have typical joint characteristics. It attaches and allows movement between the shoulder blade and the part of rib cage at the back of our bodies.

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 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 attach bones together and provide stability for the capsule
• the tendons in the biceps and shoulder which attach muscle to bone
• the brachial plexus nerves that allow the brain to tell the shoulder and arm to move and the shoulder to tell the brain when it feels pain or other sensory information
• the arteries that supply nutritious blood to the shoulder

Proper shoulder strength, flexibility, and movement depends on every part of the system being healthy and working together. Sufficient blood must reach to the shoulder efficiently to maintain healthy soft tissue and stimulate the body’s natural recovery processes. The muscles strong enough to move and flexible enough to safely make those movements, the tendons attaching bone and muscle must be strong, flexible, and free of rips or tears, 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 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, 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 a car accident, a work injury from repeated activities to old age. The following are the most common underlying conditions that lead to shoulder pain in Clover Bottom, MO:

• Bursitis — The bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that work as a cushion and gliding surface between muscles, bones, tendons, and skin. Bursitis the result of the bursae becoming swollen after overuse, often occurs in combination with shoulder impingement, and can make daily tasks like laying down for bed incredibly painful.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis generally occurs because of a tendon becoming irritated. It typically falls into one of two categories:
  • Acute: The result of trauma, repeated overhead motions, or other overhead activities needed in some sports and occupations, such as throwing overhead or lifting and lowering boxes.
  • Chronic: This can happen because of wear and tear or general weakness as we get weaker.

  Symptoms include smarting pain, throbbing, and slight swelling.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be acute, like lifting an incredibly heavy object, or wear and tear. They usually start with fraying and then tear. People often live with partial tears unknowingly. Complete tears, where the tendon is no longer attached whatsoever to the bone, do not heal by themselves. Symptoms include pain when performing certain movements, pain when lying on the side of the affected shoulder, and a popping feeling with specific motions.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement describes when your acromion (outer edge of your shoulder blade) pinches 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 occurs when the head 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 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 surrounding areas of the shoulder. Chronic instability will result in shoulder pain and unsteadiness when performing certain motions.
• Arthritis — While arthritis refers to a range of diagnoses, 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 overuse. There is no cure for arthritis, but you can find effective pain management methods with Clover Bottom, MO physical and occupational therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The humerus, clavicle, and scapula are the most commonly broken bones in the shoulder. They usually happen as 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 considerable swelling and bruising.
• Axillary Nerve Injuries or Brachial Plexus Injuries — Nerve damage in the shoulder can occur when nerves are compressed, when scar tissue interferes with 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.

Sometimes, injuries are intertwined, for example a fracture causing damage to the nerves. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain, one of our no-risk, free injury screenings in Clover Bottom, MO may help determine why you’re experiencing the pain. If you’ve sustained a severe injury or have severe shoulder pain, a physician in Clover Bottom, 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 experience recovery with a customized treatment plan with knowledgeable physical therapists that specialize in movement health in Clover Bottom, MO can be a successful way to return to the things you love to do the most.

Treating Your Shoulder Pain in Clover Bottom, MO

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

• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization to identify soft tissue restrictions, smooth out scar tissue, and treat the affected area
• Pre- and post-surgical rehabilitation, coordinated together with your physician, if you need surgery to relieve your shoulder pain
• Kinesio Taping® to reduce pain and inflammation and keep you safe as you participate in physical activity 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 target harder-to-reach damaged muscles, ligaments, and tendons to stimulate blood flow
• Posture correction to make sure you are not inadvertently causing your shoulder pain or heal improperly
• Injury prevention so you do not lose your active lifestyle in the future
• Other safe, effective treatment methods to optimize your mobility

Missouri Law states that you need a prescription to attend physical therapy appointments, so it’s necessary to speak to your Clover Bottom, MO doctor to see if physical therapy is rights 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 is safe for your condition.

Other services we offer in Clover Bottom, 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

Clover Bottom, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

A healthy shoulder is essential to not only living our every day life, but to doing the things we love. At Axes, we focus on positive outcomes for Clover Bottom, MO residents by creating evidence-backed treatment plans based on your injury, pain level, age, and how physically active you need to be. 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 find the location nearest you.