Shoulder Pain in Ellisville, MO. If you live with shoulder pain, you know how hard it can be to manage. It makes any daily task from strapping on a seatbelt to diving for a softball painful and, in some cases, not even an option. But you do not have to accept pain and limited shoulder movement. At Axes Physical Therapy in Ellisville, MO, our experienced physical therapists create customized treatment plans, based on evidence, to get you back to the activities you love most. Allow us to make your shoulder pain an ancient memory. Schedule an appointment through our website or find the location nearest you.

The Anatomy of the Shoulder | Shoulder Pain in Ellisville, MO

The shoulder is among human body’s largest and most complex joints. In reality, what is referred to as the shoulder joint is made up of four different 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 is the most mobile joint in the body.
2. The acromioclavicular (AC) joint connects the clavicle 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 gliding joint located where the collarbone meets the sternum at the foundation of the neck. As the only joint that connects the arm to the torso, it it ensures your arm and body act in tandem.
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 part of rib cage at the back of our bodies.

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

• the four muscles of the rotator cup that surround the head of the humerus, which allow for movement movement and stabilize and protect the glenohumeral 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 a wide range of movements
• the tendons in the biceps and shoulder 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 pump much-needed blood to the shoulder

Optimal shoulder and movement health depends on every part of the system functioning well. Blood must flow freely to the shoulder keep oxygen levels and muscles strong and repair minor damage. The muscles must have adequate strength and flexibility, the tendons connecting them to the bones must be intact and strong, the ligaments connecting bones need to help maintain structure, and messages most be able to be sent and received between the brain and shoulder. When any one of the parts of the shoulder is damaged, inflamed, or otherwise irritated, it can lead to a breakdown of the entire system, and anywhere from nagging to intense 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 no-risk, no-obligation 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 repeated activities to our bodies just getting weaker as we get older. Below are the most common underlying conditions that lead to shoulder pain in Ellisville, MO:

• Bursitis — The bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that cushion bones, tendons, and muscles in and around your shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, and other joints. Bursitis occurs when the bursae because irritated after repeated activities, often occurs in combination with shoulder impingement, and can make daily activities like brushing your teeth tremendously painful.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis generally occurs because of inflammation or irritation of a tendon. There are two causes of tendinitis:
  • Acute: This can happen because of a sudden blow, excessive overhead motions, or other overhead activities needed in some competitive and activities and occupations, such as volleyball or moving objects above your head.
  • Chronic: This can happen because of degenerative conditions or the body becoming weaker as we get older.

  Symptoms include a dull ache, tenderness, and mild swelling.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be acute, like a blow to the shoulder, or wear and tear. The tendon is initially frayed before becoming torn. People often live with partial thickness tears obliviously. 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 lying on the side of the affected shoulder, and a clicking feeling when performing certain motions.
• 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 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 forced out of 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 is accompanied by injury to the surrounding areas of the shoulder. Long-term instability will cause shoulder pain and unsteadiness when performing certain motions.
• Arthritis — While there are many kinds of arthritis, osteoarthritis is the condition that typically affects the shoulder. It occurs when the cartilage that acts as a shock absorber between your bones breaks down. It can be the result of tissue weakening as we become older, persistent injuries, and overuse. Arthritis cannot be cured, but you can find effective pain management methods with Ellisville, MO physical and occupational therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The humerus, 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 severe, along with considerable inflammation and contusions.
• Axillary Nerve Injuries or Brachial Plexus Injuries — Nerve damage in the shoulder is the result of when nerves are impinged on, when scar tissue interferes with communication between the brain and shoulder, or the nerves rupture. Axillary nerve and brachial plexus injuries can cause shoulder pain, stingers, weakness, and loss of sensation in your shoulder, arm, or hand. They are commonly caused by high-impact trauma but can also occur because of degenerative conditions.

Sometimes, injuries are connected, such as a dislocation causing damage to the nerves. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain, one of our no-obligation, free injury screenings in Ellisville, MO may help you discover why you’re experiencing the pain. To diagnose shoulder pain a physician in Ellisville, 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 experienced physical therapists that are experts in movement health in Ellisville, MO can be a great way to get you back to the activities you love.

Treating Your Shoulder Pain in Ellisville, MO

Your personalized and proven physical therapy treatments may include:

• 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 physician, if your shoulder pain was caused by an injury that needed surgery to correct
• Kinesio Taping® to reduce pain and inflammation and keep you safe as you 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 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 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 stipulates that you need a prescription to attend physical therapy appointments, so it’s necessary to speak to your Ellisville, MO doctor to see if physical therapy is rights for your shoulder pain. Our knowledgeable physical and occupational therapists form a team with your primary care physician to make sure your treatment plan fits into your overall treatment plan.

Other services we offer in Ellisville, 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

Ellisville, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

Optimal movement health is imperative to not only living our every day life, but to keeping up the active lifestyles we desire. At Axes, we focus on patient results for Ellisville, MO residents by creating proven 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 things you love doing most and a pain-free life. Make an appointment online or call the location nearest you.