Crestwood, MO

Crestwood, MO

Get back to to the activities you love with Axes Physical Therapy.

Shoulder Pain in Crestwood, MO. Those who experience shoulder pain know how debilitating it can be. It can make everything from pouring a cup of coffee to making a breakaway layup frustrating and, for some of us, unfeasible. But pain and limited shoulder movement does not have to be a part of your everyday life. At Axes Physical Therapy in Crestwood, MO, our professional physical therapists specialize in personalized treatment plans, based on evidence, to get you back to the activities you love most. Let us help you make your shoulder pain a long-forgotten memory. Request an appointment through our website or reach out to our location nearest you.

The Human Shoulder | Shoulder Pain in Crestwood, MO

The shoulder is among human body’s largest and most intricate joints. In actuality, 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. Given the relatively shallow dish, it is the most mobile joint in the body.
  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 helps extend the upper extremity from the trunk.
  3. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a plane-style synovial joint located where the collarbone meets the sternum at the base of the neck. This joint is where the arm and body meet, it connects 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 does not have union by fibrous, cartilaginous or synovial tissues. It attaches and allows movement between the shoulder blade and the thoracic cage.

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 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 surrounds and protects the shoulder
  • the ligaments of the shoulder which help connect bone to bone and provide stability for the capsule
  • 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 supply nutrient-rich blood to the shoulder

In order for the shoulder to function properly the entire complex system must function well. Blood must flow freely to the shoulder keep oxygen levels and muscles strong and repair minor damage. The muscles strong enough to move and flexible enough to safely make those movements, the tendons attaching bone and muscle must be intact and strong, the ligaments connecting bones need to be similarly healthy, and the brain and shoulder need to have clear communication with each other. When any one of the parts of the shoulder is damaged, inflamed, or otherwise irritated, it often causes shoulder pain and movement problems. If if shoulder pain or poor shoulder movement is part of your daily life, reach out to Axes’ physical therapists for a complimentary injury screening.


Shoulder Pain Crestwood, MO | Injury Rehabilitation | Physical Therapy Near Crestwood


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 old age. Below are the most common underlying conditions that lead to shoulder pain in Crestwood, 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 inflamed after repeated activities, often occurs in combination with irritation of the rotator cuff, and can make basic activities like brushing your teeth immensely painful.
  • Tendinitis Tendinitis is typically caused by inflammation or irritation of a tendon. There are two types of tendinitis:
    • Acute: This can happen because of a sudden blow, excessive throwing, or other overhead activities needed in some sports and occupations, such as track and field throwing events or lifting and lowering boxes.
    • Chronic: This can happen because of degenerative conditions 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 acute, such lifting an incredibly heavy object, or repetitive movements or old age. They usually start with fraying and then tear. A partial tear often goes unnoticed. Complete tears, where the tendon is no longer attached whatsoever to the bone, often require surgery. Symptoms include pain when performing specific motions, pain when lying on the side of the affected shoulder, and a grinding feeling when performing certain movements.
  • Shoulder Impingement Impingement occurs when your acromion (the bony tip of your shoulder blade) 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, but rather by physical activity.
  • Shoulder Instability This happens when the humerus is allowed to move out of the socket when the capsule or ligaments become stretched, torn, or detached, and also can happen suddenly or from wear and tear. 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 happens in combination with injury to the supporting soft tissue 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, the shoulder most typically experiences osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bones. Common causes include old age, persistent trauma, and overuse. Arthritis cannot be cured, but you can find effective pain management techniques with Crestwood, MO physical therapists.
  • Shoulder Fractures The upper arm bone, clavicle, and shoulder blade are the most commonly broken bones in the shoulder. They usually happen as the result of falling from a height or high-impact collisions such as being tackles in a football game. The shoulder pain is usually significant, and the shoulder will experience considerable inflammation and bruising.
  • Axillary Nerve Injuries or Brachial Plexus Injuries Nerve damage in the shoulder is the result of when nerves are stretched, when scar tissue blocks signals between the brain and shoulder, or the nerves rupture. Axillary nerve and brachial plexus injuries can cause shoulder pain, stingers, weakness, and loss of sensation in your upper extremities. They are commonly caused by sudden trauma but can also happen because of wear and tear.

Sometimes, injuries are intertwined, for example instability that leads to impingement. If you’re currently suffering from shoulder pain, one of our no-obligation, free injury screenings in Crestwood, 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 Crestwood, 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 relief with a tailored treatment plan with professional physical therapists that are experts in movement health in Crestwood, MO can be a great way to return to a pain-free daily life and the active lifestyle you deserve.

How Do Crestwood, MO Physical Therapists Treat Shoulder Pain?

Your customized and proven physical therapy treatment plan may include:

  • Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization to detect and treat any problems with your muscles, ligaments, or tendons
  • Pre- and post-surgical rehabilitation, based on a plan with come up with alongside your surgeon, if your shoulder pain was caused by an injury that needed surgery to correct
  • Kinesio Taping® to provide support for your shoulder and allow you to participate in physical activity or work while your body heals
  • Blood flow restriction training to strengthen muscles while reducing overall stress on the shoulder
  • Trigger point dry needling to attack harder-to-reach damaged muscles, ligaments, and tendons to encourage the body’s natural healing processes
  • Posture correction to ensure you are not inadvertently causing your shoulder pain or heal improperly
  • Injury prevention so you can keep participating in the activities you love
  • Other safe, effective exercises to increase and maintain your mobility

Missouri Law states that you need a prescription for physical therapy, so it’s necessary to speak to your Crestwood, MO doctor to see if physical therapy is rights for your shoulder pain. Our licensed physical and occupational therapists work alongside your primary care physician to make sure your treatment plan is safe for your condition.

Other services we offer in Crestwood, MO include:

Shoulder Pain Crestwood, MO | Sports Injury | Rotator Cuff Injuries | Physical Rehabilitation Near Crestwood

Crestwood, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

Optimal movement health is imperative to not only carrying out daily tasks with ease, but to keeping up the active lifestyles we desire. At Axes, we focus on positive outcomes for Crestwood, MO people of all ages by developing proven treatment plans based on your injury, pain level, age, and the activities you want to get back to. 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 call our location most convenient for you.

Services Offered

Services Offered
  • Physical Therapy
  • Pre/Post Surgical Rehabilitation
  • Acute Injury Management
  • Chronic Injury Management
  • Work Conditioning/Hardening
  • Functional Capacity Evaluations
  • Certified Hand Therapy
  • Sports Physical Therapy
  • Pediatric Orthopedic Physical Therapy
  • Geriatric Physical Therapy
  • Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization
  • Vestibular Therapy and Post-Concussion Rehabilitation
  • Trigger Point Dry Needling
  • Free Injury Screenings
  • Kinesio Taping®
  • Blood Flow Restriction Therapy

Our Team

Stephen Brunjes
OTR/L, CEAS
Scott Gallant
PT, FAAOMPT, BDN
Stacey Collins
Clinic Director, PT, DPT, CMPT
Stephanie Heubi
Front Office

Locations

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Injuries and pain shouldn’t keep you from moving and doing the things you love.