Shoulder Pain in Desloge, MO. Those who suffer from shoulder pain know the limitations it can place on your life. It makes everything from watering the flowers to serving an ace on the tennis court frustrating and, sometimes, impossible. But you do not need to live the rest of your life with pain and limited shoulder movement. At Axes PT in Desloge, MO, our experienced physical therapists create tailored treatment modalities, backed by proven research, to get you back to optimal movement health. Trust in us to make your shoulder pain a long-forgotten memory. Schedule an appointment through our website or reach out to the location most convenient for you.

How Does the Shoulder Work? | Shoulder Pain in Desloge, MO

The shoulder is one of the human body’s largest and most complex joints. 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. Because the ball is several 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 part of the scapula that is the highest part of the shoulder. 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 body meet, it connects 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 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 are responsible for movement and stabilize the ball of the humerus within the shoulder socket
• the shoulder capsule, a a fluid-filled sac that surrounds and lubricates the joints in the shoulder
• the four shoulder ligaments which provide passive stability while still allowing for movements in different planes
• the tendons in the biceps and shoulder which attach 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 much-needed blood to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons

Being able to move your shoulder pain free depends on every part of the system being healthy and working together. Blood must be allowed to reach 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 attaching bone and muscle must be intact and strong, 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 functions are not being carried out in a healthy way, it can lead to a breakdown of the entire system, and anywhere from nagging to severe shoulder pain or loss of function. If if shoulder pain or poor shoulder movement is part of your daily life, reach out to Axes’ physical therapists for a free injury screening.

What Causes Shoulder Pain?

Shoulder pain can be caused by a variety of circumstances, from sports injuries to falls, a work injury from repeated activities to old age. Below are common causes of shoulder pain that our team see in Desloge, 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 irritated after repeated activities, often occurs at the same time as rotator cuff tendinitis, and can make basic activities like getting dressed 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 trauma, excessive overhead motions, or other overhead activities needed in some competitive and activities and fields of employment, such as swimming or lifting and lowering objects.
  • 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 caused by sudden trauma, like lifting an incredibly heavy object, or repetitive movements or old age. They begin with fraying and ultimately tear. People often live with partial thickness tears unaware. Complete tears, where the tendon is no longer attached whatsoever to the bone, do not heal by themselves. Symptoms include having difficulty raising your arm or lifting things you normally can, pain when lying on the side of the affected shoulder, and a cracking sensation when performing specific motions.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement occurs when your acromion (the bony tip of your scapula) irritates the soft tissue in your shoulder. It is often the result of rotator cuff swellings after an injury. Shoulder impingement occurs the most in people who are physically active.
• Shoulder Instability — This happens when the ball of the upper arm bone is allowed to move out of the socket when the capsule or ligaments become stretched, torn, or detached, and also can be the result of injury or 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 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 types of arthritis, the shoulder most commonly suffers from osteoarthritis. It is the result of the cartilage that acts as a shock absorber between your bones weakens and wears away. It can be the result of old age, repeated trauma, and wear and tear. Arthritis cannot be cured, but effective pain management is possible with Desloge, MO physical and occupational therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The upper arm bone, 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-impact collisions such as a car accident. The shoulder pain is usually significant, along with substantial inflammation and contusions.
• Axillary Nerve Injuries or Brachial Plexus Injuries — Nerve damage in the shoulder can occur when nerves are stretched, when scar tissue interferes with signals between the brain and shoulder, or the nerves are otherwise damaged. These injuries can cause shoulder pain, stingers, numbness, and loss of feeling in your upper extremities. They are commonly caused by sudden trauma but can also occur because of overuse.

Sometimes, injuries are intertwined, for example how an untreated rotator cuff tear can lead to arthritis. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain, one of our no-obligation, free injury screenings in Desloge, 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 Desloge, MO may use a physical examination, various imaging techniques, and/or arthroscopy to discover the cause. Most people who experience shoulder pain can experience relief with a customized treatment plan with certified physical therapists that are experts in movement health in Desloge, MO can be a great way to get you back to a pain-free daily life and the active lifestyle you deserve.

How Do Desloge, MO Physical Therapists Treat Shoulder Pain?

Your personalized and proven 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, based on a plan with come up with alongside your doctor, 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 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 damaged muscles, ligaments, and tendons 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 and your shoulder and stay healthy and active
• Other safe, effective exercises to increase and maintain your mobility

Missouri Law states that you need a prescription to attend physical therapy appointments, so it’s necessary to speak to your Desloge, MO doctor to see if physical therapy is safe and an effective treatment option for your shoulder pain. Our experienced physical and occupational therapists form a team with your primary care physician to ensure you are getting the care that is safe for your condition.

Other services we offer in Desloge, 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

Desloge, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

A healthy shoulder is essential 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 our Desloge, MO clients by implementing proven treatment plans based on your injury, pain level, age, and desired activity level. Do not wait to get back to the things you love doing most and a pain-free life. Schedule an appointment through our website or reach out to our location nearest you.