Shoulder Pain in Desoto, MO. If you live with shoulder pain, you know how debilitating it can be. It makes any daily task from watering the flowers to diving for a softball painful and, in some cases, impossible. But pain and limited shoulder movement does not have to be a part of your everyday life. At Axes PT in Desoto, MO, our professional physical therapists create customized treatment modalities, proven to work through research, to get you back to striking out opponents, or just combing your hair pain-free. Allow us to safely and effectively treat your shoulder pain. Make an appointment online or find our location nearest you.

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

The shoulder is one of the human body’s largest and most intricate joints. In truth, it is a multiplex of four joints:

1. The glenohumeral (GH) joint is the joint where the humerus (upper arm bone) fits into the socket of the glenoid. Given the relatively shallow dish, 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 style synovial 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 formed by the clavicle the sternum at the foundation of the neck. This joint is where the arm and torso meet, 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 attaches and allows movement between the shoulder blade and the thoracic cage.

The shoulder is supported and surrounded by:

• the four muscles of the rotator cup covering the head of the upper arm bone, which allow for movement movement and keep the ball of the upper arm bone stable
• 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 a wide range of movements
• the biceps tendon and rotator cuff tendons which connect muscle to bone
• the brachial plexus nerves that allow for the brain and muscles to communicate with each other
• the blood vessels that supply nutritious blood to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons

Proper shoulder strength, flexibility, and movement depends on every part of the system functioning well. Sufficient blood must reach to the shoulder efficiently to 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 connecting them to the bones must be strong, flexible, and free of rips or tears, the ligaments that attach our bones need to help maintain structure, and messages most be able to be sent and received between the brain and shoulder. When any of these parts are not at optimal health, 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, contact Axes’ physical therapists for a complimentary injury screening.

What Causes Shoulder Pain?

Shoulder pain can be caused by numerous different circumstances, from sports injuries to a car accident, a work injury from overuse to our bodies just getting weaker as we get older. Below are the most common underlying conditions that lead to shoulder pain in Desoto, MO:

• Bursitis — The bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that work as a cushion and gliding surface between tissues. Bursitis the result of the bursae becoming irritated after overuse, often occurs in association with rotator cuff tendinitis, and can make basic tasks like carrying groceries immensely painful.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis is typically caused by a tendon becoming irritated. It typically falls into one of two categories:
  • Acute: This can happen because of a sudden blow, excessive overhead motions, or other overhead activities common in some sports and occupations, such as throwing overhead or lifting boxes above your head.
  • Chronic: This can happen because of degenerative conditions or general weakness as we get weaker.

  The condition causes pain and tenderness just outside the joint.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be acute, like a blow to the shoulder, or wear and tear. They usually start with fraying and then tear. People often live with partial thickness tears unaware. Complete tears, where the tendon is completely detached from the bone, do not heal by themselves. Associated symptoms are pain when performing specific motions, pain when sleeping, and a clicking sensation with specific motions.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement occurs when your acromion (the bony tip of your scapula) irritates the soft tissue in your shoulder. It often occurs alongside an injury that causes inflammation in the rotator cuff. Shoulder impingement is rarely caused by overuse, and is most common in athletes or others who engage in physical activity.
• Shoulder Instability — This occurs when the humerus is allowed to move out of the socket when the capsule or ligaments become damaged, and also can happen suddenly or from wear and tear. 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. Chronic instability will cause shoulder pain and unsteadiness when performing certain motions.
• Arthritis — While there are many types of arthritis, the shoulder most commonly experiences osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bones. It can be the result of old age, frequent trauma, and wear and tear. Arthritis cannot be cured, but effective pain management is possible with Desoto, MO physical therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The humerus, collarbone, and shoulder blade are the bones in the shoulder most susceptible to fracture. They are often the result of falling from a height or forceful collisions such as a car accident. The shoulder pain is immediate and obvious, and the shoulder will experience considerable swelling and bruising.
• Axillary Nerve Injuries or Brachial Plexus Injuries — Nerve damage in the shoulder can occur when nerves are compressed, when scar tissue blocks signals between the brain and shoulder, or the nerves rupture. Axillary nerve and brachial plexus injuries can cause shoulder pain along with a range of other sensations. They are commonly caused by sudden trauma but can also occur because of overuse.

At times, one injury leads to another, for example an impingement causing damage to the nerves. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain, one of our safe, free injury screenings in Desoto, MO may help you discover the root of it. To diagnose shoulder pain a physician in Desoto, MO may use a physical examination, various imaging techniques, and/or arthroscopy. For most injuries or conditions that cause shoulder pain, a tailored treatment plan with certified physical therapists that are experts in movement health in Desoto, MO can be an effective way to get you back to a pain-free daily life and the active lifestyle you deserve.

Treating Your Shoulder Pain in Desoto, MO

Your personalized and evidence-backed physical therapy may include any one or a variety of different treatment plans:

• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization to identify degenerative tissue, break down scar tissue, and treat the affected area
• 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 keep you safe as you participate in sports or go back to work while your body heals
• Blood flow restriction training to improve strength while reducing overall stress on the shoulder
• Trigger point dry needling to target irritated 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 do not lose your active lifestyle in the future
• Other safe, effective treatment methods to increase and maintain your mobility

Missouri Revised Statute §334.506 states that you need a prescription for physical therapy, so it’s necessary to speak to your Desoto, MO primary care physician to see if physical therapy is safe and an effective treatment option for your shoulder pain. Our professional physical and occupational therapists work alongside your primary care physician to make sure you are getting the care that is safe for your condition.

Desoto, 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 our Desoto, MO clients by implementing evidence-backed treatment plans based on your injury, pain level, age, and how physically active you need to be. You do not have to delay in getting back to the activities you love and a pain-free life. Schedule an appointment online or find the location most convenient for you.