Shoulder Pain in Country Life Acres, MO. If you live with shoulder pain, you know how debilitating it can be. It can make everything from brushing your teeth to making a breakaway layup painful and, for some of us, impossible. But pain and limited shoulder movement is usually manageable and beatable with safe and effective treatment. At Axes Physical Therapy in Country Life Acres, MO, our licensed physical therapists specialize in tailored treatment modalities, based on evidence, to get you back to optimal movement health. Trust in us to turn your shoulder pain from a daily occurrence into a thing of the past. Request an appointment online or call our location nearest you.

The Anatomy of the Shoulder | Shoulder Pain in Country Life Acres, MO

The shoulder is among the largest and most intricate joints we have. 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. Because the the top of the humerus 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 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 sternum at the foundation of the neck. As the only joint that connects the arm to the body, it links the movement of the upper limb with the core of your body.
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 that surround the head of the upper arm bone, which allow for movement movement and keep the head of the humerus firmly within the shallow socket of the shoulder
• the shoulder capsule, a tough sheath or membrane that surrounds and protects the shoulder
• the ligaments of the shoulder which provide passive stability while still allowing for a wide range of movements
• the biceps tendon and rotator cuff tendons which attach muscle to bone
• the brachial plexus nerves that allow for the brain and muscles to communicate with each other
• 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. Blood must flow freely to the shoulder maintain healthy soft tissue 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 one of the parts of the shoulder is damaged, inflamed, or otherwise irritated, 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, reach out to Axes’ physical therapists for a no-risk, no-obligation injury screening.

What Causes Shoulder Pain?

As the shoulder is complex, shoulder pain can have any of a number of root causes, from sports injuries to falls, a work injury from overuse to old age. The following are common causes of shoulder pain that our physical and occupations therapists see in Country Life Acres, 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 irritated after repeated activities, often occurs at the same time as shoulder impingement, and can make daily activities like getting in and out of cars immensely difficult.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis is typically caused by inflammation or irritation of a tendon. There are two causes of tendinitis:
  • Acute: This can happen because of a sudden blow, repeated throwing, or other overhead activities needed in some sports and occupations, such as throwing overhead or moving objects above your head.
  • Chronic: This can happen because of wear and tear or the body becoming weaker as we get older.

  The condition causes pain and tenderness just outside the joint.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be caused by acute injuries, like lifting an incredibly heavy object, or wear and tear. They usually start with fraying and then tear. People often live with partial thickness tears obliviously. Full-thickness tears, which go all the way through the tendon, do not heal by themselves. Symptoms include pain with specific movements, pain when sleeping, and a cracking sensation when performing specific motions.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement is the result of the rotator cuff and bursae rubbing against your shoulder blade. It is often the result of rotator cuff swellings because of an injury. Shoulder impingement is rarely caused by overuse, but rather by physical activity.
• Shoulder Instability — This occurs when the head of the upper arm bone 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 causes or is the result of injury to the supporting soft tissue of the shoulder. Long-term instability will cause shoulder pain and unsteadiness when performing certain motions.
• Arthritis — While arthritis refers to a range of diagnoses, the shoulder most commonly experiences osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bones. Common causes include old age, persistent trauma, and wear and tear. Arthritis cannot be cured, but you can find effective pain management techniques with Country Life Acres, MO physical therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The humerus, collarbone, and scapula 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 high-energy collisions such as being tackles in a football game. The shoulder pain is usually intense, and the shoulder will experience 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. These injuries can cause shoulder pain, stingers, numbness, and loss of feeling in your upper extremities. They are commonly caused by high-impact trauma but can also occur because of degenerative conditions.

Sometimes, injuries are connected, such as how an untreated rotator cuff tear can lead to arthritis. If you’re currently suffering from shoulder pain, one of our no-obligation, free injury screenings in Country Life Acres, MO may help determine the underlying cause. If you’ve sustained a severe injury or have severe shoulder pain, a physician in Country Life Acres, MO may use a physical examination, various imaging techniques, and/or arthroscopy to discover the cause. Most people who experience shoulder pain can experience recovery with a personalized treatment plan with knowledgeable physical therapists that are experts in movement health in Country Life Acres, MO can be a great way to get you back to a pain-free daily life and the active lifestyle you deserve.

Treating Your Shoulder Pain in Country Life Acres, MO

Your tailored and proven physical therapy treatment plan may include:

• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization to detect and treat any soft tissue disorders
• Pre- and post-surgical rehabilitation, coordinated together with your surgeon, if you need surgery to relieve your shoulder pain
• Kinesio Taping® to provide support for your shoulder and keep you safe as you participate in sports or go back to work while you are still recovering
• Blood flow restriction training to strengthen muscles while reducing overall stress on the shoulder
• Trigger point dry needling to target harder-to-reach irritated muscles, ligaments, and tendons to stimulate blood flow
• Posture correction to ensure you do not contribute to your injuries or do not heal correctly
• Injury prevention so you can keep participating in the activities you love
• Other safe, effective treatment methods to optimize your mobility

Missouri Revised Statute §334.506 requires a prescription for physical therapy, so you need to reach out to your Country Life Acres, MO primary care physician to see if physical therapy is rights for your shoulder pain. Our professional physical and occupational therapists work alongside your primary care physician to ensure you are getting the care that fits into your overall treatment plan.

Other services we offer in Country Life Acres, 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

Country Life Acres, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

Optimal movement health is imperative to not only carrying out daily tasks with ease, but to doing the things we love. At Axes, we focus on patient results for Country Life Acres, MO people of all ages by creating proven treatment plans catered to your injury, pain level, age, and desired activity level. Do not wait to get back to the activities you love and a pain-free life. Make an appointment online or reach out to our location nearest you.