Shoulder Pain in Clover Bottom, MO. If you live with shoulder pain, you know how hard it can be to manage. It makes any daily task from brushing your teeth to playing volleyball painful and, for certain people, not even an option. But pain and limited shoulder movement is usually manageable and beatable with safe and effective treatment. At Axes Physical Therapy in Clover Bottom, MO, our professional physical therapists specialize in personalized treatment plans, proven to work through research, to get you back to the activities you love most. Let us help you make your shoulder pain a long-forgotten memory. Schedule an appointment through our website or reach out to our location nearest you.

The Anatomy of the Shoulder | Shoulder Pain in Clover Bottom, MO

The shoulder is among human body’s largest and most complex joints. In actuality, it is made up of four independent smaller 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. As the top of the upper arm bone is 3-4 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 shoulder blade. A gliding joint, it helps extend the upper extremity from the trunk.
3. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a plane-style synovial joint located where the clavicle meets the breastbone at the foundation of the neck. This joint is where the arm and body meet, it coordinates 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 does not have union by fibrous, cartilaginous or synovial tissues. It attaches and allows movement between the shoulder blade and the part of rib cage at the back of our bodies.

In order to support those four joints, the shoulder is made up of:

• the four muscles of the rotator cup that surround the head of the upper arm bone, which power movement and keep the ball of the upper arm bone stable
• 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 biceps tendon and rotator cuff tendons which allow muscles to power the bones
• 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 pump much-needed 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 stimulate the body’s natural healing processes. The muscles must have adequate strength and flexibility, the tendons connecting them to the bones must be intact and strong, the ligaments connecting bones need to help maintain structure, 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 can lead to a breakdown of the whole system, and anywhere from nagging to severe shoulder pain or loss of function. 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?

Shoulder pain can be caused by a variety of circumstances, from sports injuries to acute trauma, a work injury from overuse to our bodies just getting weaker as we get older. The following are common causes of shoulder pain that our team see 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 occurs when the bursae because swollen after repeated activities, often occurs in association with rotator cuff tendinitis, and can make basic activities like getting in and out of cars incredibly painful.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis is typically caused by inflammation or irritation of a tendon. It typically falls into one of two categories:
  • Acute: The result of trauma, excessive throwing, or other overhead activities common in some sports and occupations, such as track and field throwing events or moving objects overhead.
  • Chronic: This can happen because of degenerative conditions or general weakness as we age.

  Symptoms include smarting pain, 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. They begin with fraying and ultimately tear. A partial tear often goes unnoticed. Full-thickness tears, where the tendon is completely detached from the bone, often require surgery. Common symptoms are having difficulty raising your arm or lifting things you normally can, pain when sleeping, and a grinding sensation when performing specific 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 occurs when the head of the upper arm bone is exits the shoulder socket, 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. Chronic instability will cause 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. Osteoarthritis is the degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bones. Common causes include tissue weakening as we become older, repeated trauma, and wear and tear. Arthritis cannot be cured, but effective pain management can be found with Clover Bottom, 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 a significant distance or onto a hard surface or forceful collisions such as a car accident. The shoulder pain is usually significant, 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 impinged on, 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 along with a range of other sensations. They are usually the result of sudden trauma but can also happen because of wear and tear.

At times, one injury leads to another, such as a fracture causing damage to the nerves. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain, one of our safe, free injury screenings in Clover Bottom, MO may help determine the underlying cause. To diagnose shoulder pain a physician in Clover Bottom, MO may use a physical examination, various imaging techniques, and/or arthroscopy. Most people who experience shoulder pain can find recovery with a personalized treatment plan with certified 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 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, smooth out scar tissue, and treat the affected area
• Pre- and post-surgical rehabilitation, based on a plan with come up with alongside your surgeon, if you need surgery to relieve your shoulder pain
• Kinesio Taping® to reduce pain and inflammation and allow you to participate in physical activity or work while you are still recovering
• Blood flow restriction training to offer your shoulder a low-intensity exercise with high-intensity benefits
• Trigger point dry needling to target damaged soft tissue 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 can keep participating in the activities you love
• Other safe, effective techniques to increase and maintain your mobility

Missouri Law requires a prescription to attend physical therapy appointments, so it’s necessary to speak to your Clover Bottom, MO physician to see if physical therapy is rights for your shoulder pain. Our experienced physical and occupational therapists are responsible and work closely with your primary care physician to make sure your treatment plan is safe for your condition.

Other services we offer in Clover Bottom, MO include:

• 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
• Beginner Running Program
• Chronic Pain Treatment

Clover Bottom, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

Optimal movement health is important to not only carrying out daily tasks with ease, but to keeping up the active lifestyles we desire. At Axes, we focus on patient results for our Clover Bottom, MO clients by implementing proven 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 activities you love and a pain-free life. Schedule an appointment through our website or find our location nearest you.