Shoulder Pain in Desoto, MO. If you live with shoulder pain, you know how debilitating it can be. It makes any daily task from brushing your teeth to making a breakaway layup frustrating and, in some cases, not even an option. But pain and limited shoulder movement is usually manageable and beatable with safe and effective treatment. At Axes PT in Desoto, MO, our experienced physical therapists create tailored treatment modalities, 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. Request an appointment online or reach out to the location nearest you.

The Human Shoulder | Shoulder Pain in Desoto, MO

The shoulder is among the largest and most complex joints we have. In truth, it is a complex of four joints:

1. The glenohumeral (GH) joint is the joint where the humerus (upper arm bone) fits into the socket of the glenoid. As the ball is several times larger than the socket, 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 shoulder blade. A plane joint, it allows for additional rotation of the shoulder blade.
3. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a gliding joint located where the collarbone meets the breastbone at the bottom 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 does not have union by fibrous, cartilaginous or synovial tissues. It attaches and allows movement between the shoulder blade and the part of rib cage at the back of our bodies.

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 stabilize and protect the GH joint
• the shoulder capsule, a soft tissue sac that surrounds and protects 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 allow muscles to power the bones
• 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 pump nutrient-rich blood to the shoulder

In order for the shoulder to function properly the entire complex system must be able to work together. Sufficient blood must flow 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 attaching bone and muscle 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 one of the parts of the shoulder is damaged, inflamed, or otherwise irritated, it can lead to a breakdown of the whole complex, and anywhere from nagging to debilitating shoulder pain or loss of function. If if shoulder pain or poor shoulder movement is part of your daily life, 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 acute trauma, a work injury from repeated activities to our bodies just getting weaker as we get older. Below are common causes of shoulder pain that our team see in Desoto, MO:

• Bursitis — The bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that act as shock absorbers and reduce friction in joints. Bursitis the result of the bursae becoming irritated after overuse, often occurs in association with irritation of the rotator cuff, and can make daily tasks like getting in and out of cars exceedingly painful.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis generally occurs because of inflammation or irritation of a tendon. There are two causes of tendinitis:
  • Acute: The result of trauma, excessive overhead motions, or other overhead activities common in some sports and occupations, such as throwing overhead or lifting and lowering boxes.
  • Chronic: The result of wear and tear or general weakness as we age.

  The condition causes pain and tenderness just outside the joint.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be acute, such falling on an outstretched arm, or more chronic in nature. The tendon is initially frayed before becoming torn. A partial tear often goes unnoticed. Full-thickness tears, which go all the way through the tendon, often require surgery. Symptoms include having difficulty raising your arm or lifting things you normally can, pain when sleeping, and a popping feeling when performing certain movements.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement describes when your acromion (the bony tip of your shoulder blade) irritates the soft tissue in your shoulder. It is often the result of rotator cuff swellings because of an injury. Shoulder impingement is most common in people who play sports or are otherwise active.
• Shoulder Instability — This occurs when the ball of the upper arm bone is exits the shoulder socket, 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 is accompanied by 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 arthritis refers to a range of diagnoses, osteoarthritis is the condition that typically affects the shoulder. Osteoarthritis is the degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bones. Common causes include old age, repeated injuries, and overuse. Arthritis cannot be cured, but effective pain management can be found with Desoto, MO physical and occupational therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The upper arm bone, collarbone, and shoulder blade 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-energy collisions such as being tackles in a football game. 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 blocks communication between the brain and shoulder, or the nerves are otherwise damaged. These injuries can cause shoulder pain, stingers, tingling, and loss of feeling in your upper extremities. They are usually the result of high-impact trauma but can also occur because of overuse.

Sometimes, injuries are intertwined, such as instability that leads to impingement. If you’re currently suffering from shoulder pain, one of our no-obligation, free injury screenings in Desoto, MO may help you discover why you’re experiencing the pain. To diagnose shoulder pain a physician in Desoto, MO may use a physical examination, an X-Ray, an MRI, a CT scan, arthrogram, and/or arthroscopy. Most people who experience shoulder pain can find relief with a personalized treatment plan with professional physical therapists that specialize in movement health in Desoto, MO can be an effective way to return to the activities you love.

Treating Your Shoulder Pain in Desoto, MO

Your customized and proven physical therapy may include any one or a variety of different treatment plans:

• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization to identify soft tissue restrictions, break down scar tissue, and treat the affected area
• Pre- and post-surgical rehabilitation, coordinated together with your physician, if your shoulder pain was caused by an injury that needed surgery to correct
• Kinesio Taping® to reduce pain and inflammation and allow you to participate in sports or work while you are still recovering
• Blood flow restriction training to improve strength while reducing overall stress on the shoulder
• Trigger point dry needling to target harder-to-reach damaged soft tissue to stimulate blood flow
• Posture correction to make sure 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 techniques to optimize your mobility

Missouri Law requires a prescription to attend physical therapy appointments, so it’s necessary to speak to your Desoto, MO primary care physician to see if physical therapy is rights 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.

Other services we offer in Desoto, MO include:

• Stroke Rehabilitation
• Hip Replacement Physical Therapy
• Workers Comp' Physical Therapy
• Migraine Relief
• Sprain and Strain Treatment
• Geriatric Physical Therapy
• Injury Rehabilitation
• Pain Management Services
• TMJ Treatment
• Herniated Disc Treatment

Desoto, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

A healthy shoulder is imperative to not only carrying out daily tasks with ease, but to doing the things we love. At Axes, we focus on positive outcomes for our Desoto, MO clients by developing evidence-backed 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 activities you love and a pain-free life. Request an appointment online or call the location nearest you.