Shoulder Pain in Dellwood, MO. If you live with shoulder pain, you know how hard it can be to manage. It can make any basic task from strapping on a seatbelt to making a breakaway layup frustrating and, in some cases, impossible. But you do not need to live the rest of your life with pain and limited shoulder movement. At Axes Physical Therapy in Dellwood, MO, our professional physical therapists create customized treatment plans, proven to work through research, to get you back to the activities you love most. Trust in us to safely and effectively treat your shoulder pain. Schedule an appointment through our website or reach out to our location most convenient for you.

The Human Shoulder | Shoulder Pain in Dellwood, 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 the joint responsible for connecting the upper extremity to the trunk. As 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 clavicle the acromion, the part of the scapula that is the highest part of the shoulder. A plane joint, it allows for additional rotation of the shoulder blade.
3. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a gliding joint formed by the collarbone the sternum at the base of the neck. As the only joint that connects the arm to the torso, it coordinates 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 typical joint characteristics. 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 covering the head of the upper arm bone, which are responsible for movement and keep the head of the humerus firmly within the shallow socket of the shoulder
• 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 affix muscle to bone
• the brachial plexus nerves that send motor messages from the brain to muscles and sensory information (like pain) from the joints back to the brain
• the arteries that supply nutrient-rich blood to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons

In order for the shoulder to function properly the entire complex system must function well. Blood must flow freely to the shoulder maintain healthy soft tissue and stimulate the body’s natural healing 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 help support proper structure, and messages most be able to be sent and received between the brain and shoulder. When any of these functions are not being carried out in a healthy way, it can lead to a disruption of the whole system, 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, contact Axes’ physical therapists for a free injury screening.

What’s Behind My Shoulder Pain?

Shoulder pain can be caused by a variety of circumstances, from sports injuries to being struck by an object, a work injury from overuse to our bodies just getting weaker as we get older. Below are common causes of shoulder pain that our team see in Dellwood, MO:

• Bursitis — The bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that cushion bones, tendons, and muscles in and around your joints. Bursitis occurs when the bursae because inflamed after repeated activities, often occurs in combination with shoulder impingement, and can make basic activities like carrying groceries incredibly 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 overhead motions, or other overhead activities common in some sports and fields of employment, such as swimming or lifting and lowering objects.
  • Chronic: This can happen because of wear and tear or general weakness as we get weaker.

  The condition causes pain and tenderness just outside the joint.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be caused by sudden trauma, such a blow to the shoulder, or wear and tear. They begin with fraying and ultimately tear. A partial tear often goes unnoticed. Complete tears, where the tendon is no longer attached whatsoever to the bone, do not heal by themselves. Common symptoms are pain when performing specific motions, pain when lying on the side of the affected shoulder, and a cracking sensation with certain movements.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement occurs when your acromion (outer edge of your scapula) rubs against the rotator cuff and bursae. It is often the result of rotator cuff swellings after an injury. Shoulder impingement is most common in people who are physically active.
• Shoulder Instability — This occurs when the ball of the upper arm bone is allowed to move out of the socket when the capsule or ligaments become damaged, and also can be the result of injury or overuse. 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 result in shoulder pain and a sense of the shoulder “giving way.”
• Arthritis — While there are at least six kinds of arthritis, osteoarthritis is the form that typically affects the shoulder. Osteoarthritis is the degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bones. Common causes include old age, frequent injuries, and overuse. There is no cure for arthritis, but effective pain management can be found with Dellwood, MO physical and occupational therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The humerus, 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, along with substantial swelling 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 their electric signals, or the nerves are otherwise damaged. These injuries can cause shoulder pain along with a range of other sensations. They are commonly caused by a sudden blow but can also happen because of degenerative conditions.

Sometimes, injuries are connected, for example a fracture that leads to damage to the nerves. If you’re currently suffering from shoulder pain, one of our no-risk, free injury screenings in Dellwood, MO may help you discover the underlying cause. If you’ve sustained a severe injury or have severe shoulder pain, a physician in Dellwood, MO may use a physical examination, an X-Ray, an MRI, a CT scan, arthrogram, and/or arthroscopy to discover the cause. For most injuries or conditions that cause shoulder pain, a customized treatment plan with certified physical therapists that are experts in movement health in Dellwood, MO can be a successful way to get you back to the activities you love.

Treating Your Shoulder Pain in Dellwood, MO

Your personalized and evidence-backed physical therapy treatment plan 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 surgeon, if you need surgery to relieve your shoulder pain
• Kinesio Taping® to provide support for your shoulder and allow you to participate in sports 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 attack harder-to-reach irritated muscles, ligaments, and tendons to stimulate blood flow
• 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 optimize your mobility

Missouri Law dictates that you need a prescription to attend physical therapy appointments, so you need to reach out to your Dellwood, MO primary care physician to see if physical therapy is rights for your shoulder pain. Our knowledgeable 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 Dellwood, MO include:

• Neck Pain Treatment
• 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

Dellwood, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

A well-functioning shoulder is essential to not only carrying out daily tasks with ease, but to doing the things we love. At Axes, we focus on patient results for Dellwood, MO people of all ages by implementing evidence-backed treatment plans catered to your injury, pain level, age, and how physically active you need to be. Do not wait to get back to the activities you love and a pain-free life. Schedule an appointment online or find our location most convenient for you.