Shoulder Pain in Flint Hill, MO. If you live with shoulder pain, you know how hard it can be to manage. It makes everything from strapping on a seatbelt to serving an ace on the tennis court painful and, sometimes, unfeasible. But you do not have to accept pain and limited shoulder movement. At Axes PT in Flint Hill, MO, our licensed physical therapists are experts at developing tailored treatment plans, based on evidence, to get you back to striking out opponents, or just combing your hair pain-free. Let us help you make your shoulder pain a long-forgotten memory. Schedule an appointment online or reach out to our location nearest you.
The Human Shoulder | Shoulder Pain in Flint Hill, MO
The shoulder is one of the human body’s largest and most complex joints. In actuality, it is made up of four independent smaller joints:
- The glenohumeral (GH) joint is a ball and socket joint responsible for connecting the upper extremity to the trunk. Given the relatively shallow socket, it allows for more movement than any other joint.
- The acromioclavicular (AC) joint is formed by the junction of the collarbone the acromion, the bony tip on the outer edge of the shoulder blade. A gliding joint, it allows your shoulder blade to follow the movements of the other shoulder joints.
- The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a plane-style synovial joint formed by the clavicle the breastbone at the base of the neck. As the only joint that connects the arm to the body, it it ensures your arm and body move in coordination.
- 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.
In addition to 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 power movement and stabilize and protect the glenohumeral joint
- the shoulder capsule, a a fluid-filled sac that surrounds and lubricates the joints in the shoulder
- the ligaments of the shoulder which provide passive stability while still allowing for movements in different planes
- 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 blood vessels that pump much-needed blood to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons
Being able to move your shoulder pain free depends on every part of the system being healthy and working together. Sufficient blood must reach to the shoulder efficiently to 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 attaching bone and muscle must be strong, flexible, and free of rips or tears, the ligaments that attach our bones need to help maintain structure, and the brain and shoulder need to have clear communication with each other. 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 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 free injury screening.
What Causes Shoulder Pain?
As the shoulder has so many moving parts, shoulder pain can have many root causes, from sports injuries to acute trauma, 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 Flint Hill, 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 overuse, often occurs in combination with rotator cuff tendinitis, and can make daily tasks like laying down to go to sleep tremendously difficult.
- Tendinitis — Tendinitis is typically caused by a tendon becoming irritated. It typically falls into one of two categories:
- Acute: The result of trauma, excessive throwing, or other overhead activities common in some sports and fields of employment, such as swimming or moving objects above your head.
- Chronic: The result of wear and tear 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, such lifting an incredibly heavy object, or repetitive movements or old age. The tendon is initially frayed before becoming torn. A partial thickness tear often goes unnoticed. Full-thickness tears, where the tendon is completely detached from the bone, do not heal by themselves. Symptoms include pain with certain movements, pain when sleeping, and a popping sensation when performing certain motions.
- Shoulder Impingement — Impingement occurs when your acromion (the bony tip of your shoulder blade) irritates the rotator cuff and bursae. 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 happens when the head of the upper arm bone is exits the shoulder socket, and also can happen suddenly or from overuse. 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 happens in combination with injury to the surrounding areas of the shoulder. Long-term instability will cause shoulder pain and a sense of the shoulder “giving way.”
- Arthritis — While there are many kinds of arthritis, the shoulder most typically suffers from osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bones. Common causes include old age, persistent trauma, and overuse. Arthritis cannot be cured, but effective pain management is possible with Flint Hill, MO physical and occupational therapists.
- Shoulder Fractures — The upper arm bone, clavicle, and scapula are the bones in the shoulder most prone 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 substantial swelling 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 blocks communication between the brain and shoulder, or the nerves are torn into two pieces. These injuries can cause shoulder pain along with a range of other sensations. They are commonly caused by high-impact trauma but can also happen because of degenerative conditions.
At times, one injury leads to another, such as a fracture that leads to damage to the nerves. If you’re currently suffering from shoulder pain, one of our safe, free injury screenings in Flint Hill, MO may help you discover the root of it. To diagnose shoulder pain a physician in Flint Hill, 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 experience relief with a personalized treatment plan with professional physical therapists that specialize in movement health in Flint Hill, MO can be a great way to get you back to a pain-free daily life and the active lifestyle you deserve.
Treating Your Shoulder Pain in Flint Hill, MO
Your personalized and evidence-backed 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 you need surgery to relieve your shoulder pain
- Kinesio Taping® to reduce pain and inflammation and allow you to 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 benefits
- Trigger point dry needling to target harder-to-reach irritated 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 can keep participating in the activities you love
- Other safe, effective treatment methods to increase and maintain your mobility
Missouri Law states that you need a prescription to attend physical therapy appointments, so you need to reach out to your Flint Hill, MO physician to see if physical therapy is rights for your shoulder pain. Our experienced physical and occupational therapists work alongside your primary care physician to ensure your treatment plan fits into your overall treatment plan.
Other services we offer in Flint Hill, MO include:
- 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
- Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment
Flint Hill, 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 our Flint Hill, MO clients by developing evidence-backed 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. Make an appointment online or reach out to our location most convenient for you.