Shoulder Pain in Ethlyn, MO. Those who suffer from shoulder pain know the limitations it can place on your life. It makes everything from driving to making a breakaway layup frustrating and, sometimes, not even an option. But you do not need to live the rest of your life with pain and limited shoulder movement. At Axes PT in Ethlyn, MO, our professional physical therapists create personalized treatment modalities, based on evidence, to get you back to optimal movement health. Let us help you safely and effectively treat your shoulder pain. Schedule an appointment through our website or find the location most convenient for you.

The Human Shoulder | Shoulder Pain in Ethlyn, MO

The shoulder is among human body’s largest and most intricate 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 socket, it is the most mobile joint in the body.
2. The acromioclavicular (AC) joint connects the collarbone to the acromion, the bony tip on the outer edge of the scapula. A plane style synovial joint, it allows you to outstretch your arm.
3. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a plane-style synovial joint formed by the clavicle the sternum at the base of the neck. As the only joint that connects the arm to the torso, it it ensures your arm and body move in tandem.
4. The scapulothoracic (ST) “joint” is not a true anatomical 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 is made up 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 a fluid-filled sac that surrounds and lubricates the joints in the shoulder
• the ligaments of the shoulder which attach bones together and help reinforce the capsule
• the biceps tendon and rotator cuff tendons 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 supply nutrient-rich blood to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons

Optimal shoulder and movement health depends on every part of the system being healthy and working together. Blood must flow freely to the shoulder maintain healthy soft tissue and stimulate the body’s natural recovery processes. The muscles must have adequate strength and flexibility, the tendons attaching bone and muscle must be strong, flexible, and free of rips or tears, the ligaments that attach our bones need to be similarly healthy, 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 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 complimentary injury screening.

What’s Behind My Shoulder Pain?

Shoulder pain can be caused by a variety of circumstances, from sports injuries to falls, a work injury from overuse to our bodies just getting weaker as we get older. The following are common causes of shoulder pain that our team see in Ethlyn, 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 inflamed after repeated activities, often occurs in association with shoulder impingement, and can make basic activities like brushing your teeth tremendously difficult.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis is typically caused by a tendon becoming irritated. It typically falls into one of two categories:
  • Acute: The result of a sudden blow, repeated throwing, or other overhead activities common in some competitive and activities and occupations, such as volleyball or moving objects above your head.
  • Chronic: The result of wear and tear or the body becoming weaker as we age.

  The condition causes pain and tenderness just outside the joint.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be acute, like falling on an outstretched arm, or wear and tear. They usually start with fraying and then tear. People often live with partial thickness tears unaware. Complete tears, which pull the tendon off 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 grinding sensation when performing specific motions.
• 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 play sports or are otherwise active.
• Shoulder Instability — This occurs when the ball of the upper arm bone is allowed to move out of the socket when the capsule or ligaments become damaged, and also can be the result of injury or 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 causes or is the result of injury to the supporting soft tissue of the shoulder. Chronic instability will result in shoulder pain and unsteadiness when performing certain motions.
• Arthritis — While arthritis refers to a range of diagnoses, osteoarthritis is the form that typically affects the shoulder. It occurs when the cartilage cushioning the ends of your bones weakens and wears away. Common causes include tissue weakening as we become older, persistent trauma, and overuse. Arthritis cannot be cured, but effective pain management is possible with Ethlyn, MO physical therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The upper arm bone, collarbone, and shoulder blade are the bones in the shoulder most susceptible to fracture. They usually happen as the result of falling a significant distance or onto a hard surface or forceful collisions such as a car accident. The shoulder pain is immediate and obvious, and the shoulder will experience substantial inflammation and bruising.
• Axillary Nerve Injuries or Brachial Plexus Injuries — Nerve damage in the shoulder is the result of when nerves are compressed, when scar tissue blocks communication between the brain and shoulder, or the nerves rupture. Axillary nerve and brachial plexus injuries can cause shoulder pain, stingers, numbness, and loss of feeling in your shoulder, arm, or hand. They are commonly caused by sudden trauma but can also happen because of degenerative conditions.

At times, one injury leads to another, such as a dislocation causing damage to the nerves. If you’re currently suffering from shoulder pain, one of our safe, free injury screenings in Ethlyn, MO may help you discover the underlying cause. If you’ve sustained a severe injury or have severe shoulder pain, a physician in Ethlyn, MO may use a physical examination, an X-Ray, an MRI, a CT scan, arthrogram, and/or arthroscopy to discover the cause. For most injuries or conditions that cause shoulder pain, a customized treatment plan with knowledgeable physical therapists and movement health specialists in Ethlyn, MO can be a great way to return to the things you love to do the most.

How Do Ethlyn, MO Physical Therapists Treat Shoulder Pain?

Your tailored 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, 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 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 physical activity or work while your body heals
• Blood flow restriction training to offer your shoulder a low-intensity exercise with high-intensity results
• Trigger point dry needling to target irritated muscles, ligaments, and tendons deeper in the body to stimulate blood flow
• Posture correction to make sure you are not inadvertently causing your shoulder pain or heal improperly
• Injury prevention so you can keep participating in the activities you love
• Other safe, effective techniques to optimize your mobility

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

Other services we offer in Ethlyn, 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

Ethlyn, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

A well-functioning shoulder 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 Ethlyn, MO residents by developing evidence-backed treatment plans based on your injury, pain level, age, and the activities you want to get back to. Do not wait to get back to the things you love doing most and a pain-free life. Request an appointment through our website or call the location most convenient for you.