Shoulder Pain in Farmington, MO. If you live with shoulder pain, you know how hard it can be to manage. It makes everything from driving to playing volleyball painful 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 Farmington, MO, our licensed physical therapists create personalized treatment modalities, backed by proven research, to get you back to striking out opponents, or just combing your hair pain-free. Trust in us to safely and effectively treat your shoulder pain. Schedule an appointment online or find the location nearest you.

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

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

1. The glenohumeral (GH) joint is a ball and socket joint where the humerus (upper arm bone) fits into a relatively small dish called the glenoid. Given the relatively shallow dish, it allows for more movement than any other joint.
2. The acromioclavicular (AC) joint connects the collarbone to the acromion, the bony tip on the outer edge of the scapula. A plane 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 base of the neck. This joint is where the arm and body meet, it coordinates 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 ligaments connecting it to bone. 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 allow for movement movement and stabilize and protect the GH joint
• the shoulder capsule, a tough sheath or membrane that surrounds and protects the shoulder
• the four shoulder ligaments which help connect bone to bone and provide stability for the capsule
• the biceps tendon and rotator cuff tendons which allow muscles to power the bones
• 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 shoulder

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 keep oxygen levels and muscles strong and repair minor damage. 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 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 free 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 repeated activities to old age. Below are common causes of shoulder pain that our team see in Farmington, MO:

• Bursitis — The bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that work as a cushion and gliding surface between muscles, bones, tendons, and skin. 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 in and out of cars tremendously difficult.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis generally occurs because of inflammation or irritation of a tendon. There are two causes of tendinitis:
  • Acute: The result of trauma, repeated throwing, or other overhead activities needed in some sports and occupations, such as swimming or lifting boxes overhead.
  • Chronic: The result of wear and tear 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 acute, such lifting an incredibly heavy object, or more chronic in nature. The tendon is initially frayed before becoming torn. A partial thickness tear often goes unnoticed. Full-thickness tears, which pull the tendon off the bone, often require surgery. Common symptoms are pain when performing certain movements, pain when sleeping, and a popping sensation with certain motions.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement is the result of the rotator cuff and bursae rubbing against your shoulder blade. It often occurs in combination with an injury that causes inflammation in the rotator cuff. Shoulder impingement is rarely caused by overuse, but rather by physical activity.
• Shoulder Instability — This occurs when the humerus is allowed to move out of the socket when the capsule or ligaments become stretched, torn, or detached, and also can happen suddenly or from overuse. 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. Long-term instability will result in shoulder pain and a sense of the shoulder “giving way.”
• Arthritis — While there are many types of arthritis, osteoarthritis is the form that typically affects the shoulder. It occurs when the cartilage that acts as a shock absorber between your bones degenerates. Common causes include old age, frequent trauma, and overuse. There is no cure for arthritis, but effective pain management can be found with Farmington, MO physical therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The upper arm bone, collarbone, and shoulder blade are the bones in the shoulder most prone to fracture. They usually happen as the result of falling from a height or high-energy collisions such as a car accident. The shoulder pain is immediate and obvious, and the shoulder will experience considerable inflammation and bruising.
• Axillary Nerve Injuries or Brachial Plexus Injuries — Nerve damage in the shoulder is the result of when nerves are stretched, when scar tissue interferes with their electric signals, or the nerves rupture. These injuries can cause shoulder pain along with a range of other sensations. They are usually the result of a sudden blow but can also happen because of overuse.

Sometimes, injuries are intertwined, such as an impingement causing damage to the nerves. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain, one of our no-obligation, free injury screenings in Farmington, MO may help you discover the underlying cause. If you’ve sustained a severe injury or have severe shoulder pain, a physician in Farmington, MO may use a physical examination, an X-Ray, an MRI, a CT scan, arthrogram, and/or arthroscopy to discover the cause. Most people who experience shoulder pain can find relief with a personalized treatment plan with knowledgeable physical therapists and movement health specialists in Farmington, 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 Farmington, MO

Your customized and evidence-backed physical therapy treatments may include:

• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization to detect and treat any soft tissue disorders
• 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 provide support for your shoulder and keep you safe as you participate in physical activity or go back to work while you are still recovering
• Blood flow restriction training to strengthen muscles while reducing overall stress on the shoulder
• Trigger point dry needling to attack harder-to-reach irritated muscles, ligaments, and tendons to encourage the body’s natural healing processes
• Posture correction to make sure you do not contribute to your injuries or heal improperly
• Injury prevention so you do not lose your active lifestyle in the future
• 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 Farmington, MO physician to see if physical therapy is rights for your shoulder pain. Our licensed 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 Farmington, 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

Farmington, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

A well-functioning shoulder is essential 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 Farmington, MO people of all ages by creating 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 online or call our location most convenient for you.