Shoulder Pain in Flint Hill, MO. Those who suffer from shoulder pain know the effect it can have on your life. It can make everything from pouring a cup of coffee to making a breakaway layup painful and, in some cases, impossible. But you do not need to live the rest of your life with pain and limited shoulder movement. At Axes PT in Flint Hill, MO, our experienced physical therapists specialize in personalized treatment plans, based on evidence, to get you back to optimal movement health. Let us help you turn your shoulder pain from a daily occurrence into a thing of the past. Schedule an appointment through our website or reach out to the location most convenient for you.

How Does the Shoulder Work? | Shoulder Pain in Flint Hill, MO

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

1. The glenohumeral (GH) joint is the joint responsible for connecting the upper extremity to the trunk. Given the relatively shallow dish, it has the widest range of motion as any other human joint.
2. The acromioclavicular (AC) joint connects the clavicle to the acromion, the bony tip on the outer edge of the scapula. A plane joint, it helps extend the upper extremity from the trunk.
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 body, it links 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 does not have union by fibrous, cartilaginous or synovial tissues. It attaches and allows movement between the shoulder blade and the thoracic cage.

In addition to those four joints, the shoulder consists of:

• the four muscles of the rotator cup covering the head of the humerus, which power movement and keep the ball of the humerus stable
• the shoulder capsule, a soft tissue sac that encloses 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 allow the brain to tell the shoulder and arm to move and the shoulder to tell the brain when it feels pain or other sensory information
• the blood vessels that supply nutritious blood to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons

In order for the shoulder to function properly every joint, ligament, tendon, muscle, artery, capsule, and nerve 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 recovery processes. The muscles must have adequate strength and flexibility, the tendons connecting them to the bones must be intact and strong, 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 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 severe shoulder pain or loss of function. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain or any other symptoms of a shoulder injury, reach out to 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 being struck by an object, a work injury from overuse to our bodies just getting weaker as we get older. The following are the most common underlying conditions that lead to shoulder pain in Flint Hill, MO:

• Bursitis — The bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that act as shock absorbers and reduce friction in joints. Bursitis occurs when the bursae because irritated after overuse, often occurs at the same time as shoulder impingement, and can make daily activities like getting in and out of cars exceedingly difficult.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis is typically caused by a tendon becoming irritated. It typically falls into one of two categories:
  • Acute: This can happen because of a sudden blow, repeated throwing, or other overhead activities needed in some competitive and activities and fields of employment, such as swimming or lifting and lowering boxes.
  • Chronic: The result of degenerative conditions or the body becoming weaker as we age.

  Symptoms include smarting pain, throbbing, and slight swelling.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be caused by acute injuries, such lifting an incredibly heavy object, or repetitive movements or old age. They usually start with fraying and then tear. A partial thickness tear often goes unnoticed. Full-thickness tears, where the tendon is no longer attached whatsoever to the bone, do not heal by themselves. Symptoms include having difficulty raising your arm or lifting things you normally can, pain when sleeping, and a cracking feeling with specific motions.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement is the result of the rotator cuff and bursae rubbing against your shoulder blade. 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 head of the humerus is allowed to move out of the socket when the capsule or ligaments become damaged, 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 kinds of arthritis, 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 wear and tear. There is no cure for arthritis, but effective pain management can be found with Flint Hill, MO physical therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The humerus, collarbone, and shoulder blade are the bones in the shoulder most prone to fracture. They usually happen as 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 intense, along with substantial swelling 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 interferes with their electric signals, or the nerves rupture. 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 overuse.

Sometimes, injuries are intertwined, for example how an untreated rotator cuff tear can lead to arthritis. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain, one of our no-obligation, free injury screenings in Flint Hill, MO may help determine the underlying cause. 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 find recovery with a personalized treatment plan with professional physical therapists that specialize in movement health in Flint Hill, MO can be a successful 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 may include any one or a variety of different treatment plans:

• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization to detect and treat any soft tissue disorders
• 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 provide support for your shoulder and allow you to participate in sports or go back to work while you are still recovering
• Blood flow restriction training to offer your shoulder a low-intensity exercise with high-intensity benefits
• Trigger point dry needling to attack harder-to-reach irritated soft tissue to stimulate blood flow
• Posture correction to ensure 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 you need to reach out to your Flint Hill, MO physician to see if physical therapy is safe and an effective treatment option for your shoulder pain. Our experienced physical and occupational therapists are responsible and work closely with your primary care physician to make sure your treatment plan fits into your overall treatment plan.

Other services we offer in Flint Hill, MO include:

• Shin Splint Treatment
• Direct Access Physical Therapy
• Gait Analysis
• Pelvic Floor Therapy
• Dry Needling Near Me
• Tendonitis Treatment
• Manual Physical Therapy
• Orthopedic Rehab Near Me
• Beginner Running Program
• Chronic Pain 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 positive outcomes for Flint Hill, MO residents by creating evidence-backed treatment plans based on your injury, pain level, age, and desired activity level. You do not have to delay in getting back to the activities you love and a pain-free life. Make an appointment through our website or reach out to the location nearest you.