Shoulder Pain in Des Peres, MO. Those who suffer from shoulder pain know how debilitating it can be. It makes everything from pouring a cup of coffee to playing volleyball painful and, for some of us, 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 Des Peres, MO, our experienced 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. Let us help you make your shoulder pain an ancient memory. Make an appointment online or find the location nearest you.

How Does the Shoulder Work? | Shoulder Pain in Des Peres, MO

The shoulder is one of the the largest and most intricate joints we have. In truth, 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 socket, it is the most mobile joint in the body.
2. The acromioclavicular (AC) joint is formed by the junction of the collarbone the acromion, the bony tip on the outer edge of the shoulder blade. A gliding joint, it allows your shoulder blade to follow the movements of the other shoulder joints.
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 torso meet, it it ensures your arm and body act in coordination.
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 is made up of the scapula and its articulation with the ribcage.

In order to support those four joints, the shoulder consists of:

• the four muscles of the rotator cup that surround the head of the upper arm bone, which allow for movement 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 provide passive stability while still allowing for a wide range of movements
• the tendons in the biceps and shoulder which affix 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 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 be allowed to reach the shoulder maintain healthy soft tissue 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 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 of these parts are not at optimal health, it often causes shoulder pain and movement problems. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain or any other symptoms of a shoulder injury, contact Axes’ physical therapists for a no-risk, no-obligation injury screening.

What’s Behind My Shoulder Pain?

As the shoulder is complex, shoulder pain can have any of a number of root causes, from sports injuries to being struck by an object, a work injury from overuse to old age. Below are common causes of shoulder pain that our team see in Des Peres, MO:

• Bursitis — The bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that work as a cushion and gliding surface between tissues. Bursitis occurs when the bursae because swollen after repeated activities, often occurs at the same time as shoulder impingement, and can make basic activities like laying down to go to sleep tremendously difficult.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis is typically caused by a tendon becoming irritated. It typically falls into one of two categories:
  • Acute: This can happen because of trauma, repeated overhead motions, or other overhead activities common in some competitive and activities and occupations, such as track and field throwing events or lifting and lowering boxes.
  • Chronic: The result of degenerative conditions or the body becoming weaker as we age.

  Symptoms include a dull ache, throbbing, and slight swelling.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be acute, such falling on an outstretched arm, or more chronic in nature. They usually start with fraying and then tear. A partial thickness 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 lying on the side of the affected shoulder, and a grinding feeling when performing certain movements.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement is the result of soft tissue rubbing against your shoulder blade. It is often the result of rotator cuff swellings because of an injury. Shoulder impingement occurs the most in people who are physically active.
• Shoulder Instability — This happens when the humerus is exits the shoulder socket, 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 happens in combination with injury to the supporting soft tissue of the shoulder. Long-term 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. It is the result of the cartilage cushioning the ends of your bones degenerates. Common causes include tissue weakening as we become older, repeated trauma, and wear and tear. Arthritis cannot be cured, but you can find effective pain management techniques with Des Peres, MO physical therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The humerus, clavicle, and scapula are the bones in the shoulder most prone to fracture. They usually happen as the result of falling a significant distance or onto a hard surface or high-impact collisions such as being tackles in a football game. The shoulder pain is immediate and obvious, along with considerable inflammation 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. These injuries can cause shoulder pain, stingers, weakness, and loss of sensation in your shoulder, arm, or hand. They are usually the result of a sudden blow but can also occur because of degenerative conditions.

At times, one injury leads to another, such as an impingement that leads to damage to the nerves. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain, one of our no-obligation, free injury screenings in Des Peres, MO may help you discover the underlying cause. If you’ve sustained a severe injury or have severe shoulder pain, a physician in Des Peres, MO may use a physical examination, various imaging techniques, and/or arthroscopy to discover the cause. For most injuries or conditions that cause shoulder pain, a personalized treatment plan with experienced physical therapists that are experts in movement health in Des Peres, MO can be a great way to return to optimal movement health.

Treating Your Shoulder Pain in Des Peres, MO

Your personalized 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 doctor, 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 sports or go back to work while your body heals
• Blood flow restriction training to offer your shoulder a low-intensity exercise with high-intensity benefits
• Trigger point dry needling to target harder-to-reach damaged soft tissue to stimulate blood flow
• Posture correction to ensure you do not contribute to your injuries or do not heal correctly
• Injury prevention so you and your shoulder and stay healthy and active
• Other safe, effective exercises to increase and maintain your mobility

Missouri Revised Statute §334.506 stipulates that you need a prescription for physical therapy, so it’s necessary to speak to your Des Peres, MO primary care physician to see if physical therapy is rights for your shoulder pain. Our experienced physical and occupational therapists form a team with your primary care physician to ensure your treatment plan is safe for your condition.

Other services we offer in Des Peres, 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

Des Peres, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

Optimal movement health is essential to not only carrying out daily tasks with ease, but to doing the things we love. At Axes, we focus on positive outcomes for Des Peres, MO residents by developing 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. Request an appointment through our website or find the location nearest you.