Shoulder Pain in Flint Hill, MO. If you live with shoulder pain, you know how hard it can be to manage. It can make any daily task from pouring a cup of coffee to playing volleyball frustrating and, in some cases, unfeasible. But pain and limited shoulder movement does not have to be a part of your everyday life. At Axes PT in Flint Hill, MO, our experienced physical therapists specialize in tailored treatment plans, based on evidence, to get you back to striking out opponents, or just combing your hair pain-free. Allow us to safely and effectively treat your shoulder pain. Request an appointment through our website or find our location nearest you.

The Anatomy of the Shoulder | Shoulder Pain in Flint Hill, MO

The shoulder is among human body’s largest and most intricate joints. In truth, what is referred to as the shoulder joint is made up of four different joints:

1. The glenohumeral (GH) joint is the joint responsible for connecting the upper extremity to the trunk. Because the ball is 3-4 times larger than the socket, it allows for more movement than any other joint.
2. The acromioclavicular (AC) joint connects the clavicle to the acromion, the bony tip on the outer edge of the shoulder blade. A gliding joint, it allows you to outstretch your arm.
3. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a plane-style synovial joint located where the collarbone meets the breastbone at the base of the neck. This joint is where the arm and torso meet, it it ensures your arm and body move in tandem.
4. The scapulothoracic (ST) “joint” is more of a “floating” joint as it does not have ligaments connecting it to bone. It attaches and allows movement between the shoulder blade and the part of rib cage at the back of our bodies.

The shoulder is supported and surrounded by:

• the four muscles of the rotator cup covering the head of the humerus, which are responsible for movement and stabilize the ball of the humerus within the shoulder socket
• the shoulder capsule, a tough sheath or membrane that surrounds and protects the joints in the shoulder
• the ligaments of the shoulder 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 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 nutrient-rich blood to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons

In order for the shoulder to function properly the entire complex system must function well. Blood must be allowed to reach 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 be similarly healthy, and the brain and shoulder need to have clear communication with each other. When any of these functions are not being carried out in a healthy way, it often causes shoulder pain and movement problems. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain or any other symptoms of a shoulder injury, reach out to Axes’ physical therapists for a no-risk, no-obligation injury screening.

What’s Behind My Shoulder Pain?

As the shoulder has so many moving parts, shoulder pain can have any of a number of root causes, from sports injuries to a car accident, a work injury from repeated activities to old age. 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 joints. Bursitis occurs when the bursae because swollen after repeated activities, often occurs in association with rotator cuff tendinitis, and can make basic tasks like getting in and out of cars immensely difficult.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis is typically caused by a tendon becoming irritated. There are two types of tendinitis:
  • Acute: This can happen because of a sudden blow, excessive throwing, or other overhead activities common in some sports and fields of employment, such as swimming or lifting and lowering boxes.
  • Chronic: This can happen because of degenerative conditions or general weakness as we get weaker.

  Symptoms include smarting pain, throbbing, and slight swelling.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be acute, like lifting an incredibly heavy object, or more chronic in nature. They usually start with fraying and then tear. A partial tear often goes unnoticed. Full-thickness tears, which go all the way through the tendon, do not heal by themselves. Associated symptoms are 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 movements.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement describes when your acromion (the bony tip of your scapula) irritates the soft tissue in your shoulder. It often occurs alongside an injury that causes inflammation in the rotator cuff. Shoulder impingement occurs the most in people who are physically active.
• Shoulder Instability — This happens when the humerus is allowed to move out of the socket when the capsule or ligaments become stretched, torn, or detached, and also can be the result of injury or wear and tear. Dislocations can be repeated and partial or the entire bone coming out of the socket. It often happens in combination with injury to the surrounding areas of the shoulder. Long-term instability will result in shoulder pain and a sense of the shoulder “giving way.”
• Arthritis — While there are at least six kinds of arthritis, the shoulder most typically suffers from osteoarthritis. It occurs when the cartilage cushioning the ends of your bones degenerates. It can be the result of old age, repeated injuries, and overuse. Arthritis cannot be cured, but you can find effective pain management techniques 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 are often the result of falling from a height or high-impact collisions such as being tackles in a football game. The shoulder pain is immediate and obvious, 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 compressed, when scar tissue interferes with communication between the brain and shoulder, or the nerves burst. These injuries can cause shoulder pain, stingers, numbness, and loss of sensation in your shoulder, arm, or hand. They are commonly caused by sudden trauma but can also occur because of degenerative conditions.

At times, one injury leads to another, such as instability that leads to impingement. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain, one of our no-obligation, free injury screenings in Flint Hill, MO may help determine why you’re experiencing the pain. If you’ve sustained a severe injury or have severe shoulder pain, a physician in Flint Hill, MO may use a physical examination, various imaging techniques, and/or arthroscopy to discover the cause. Most people who experience shoulder pain can find relief with a customized treatment plan with certified physical therapists and movement health specialists in Flint Hill, MO can be a great way to return to the activities you love.

Treating Your Shoulder Pain in Flint Hill, MO

Your customized and proven physical therapy may include any one or a variety of different treatment plans:

• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization to detect and treat any problems with your muscles, ligaments, or tendons
• Pre- and post-surgical rehabilitation, coordinated together with your doctor, if you need surgery to relieve your shoulder pain
• Kinesio Taping® to provide support for your shoulder and allow you to participate in sports or work while you are still recovering
• Blood flow restriction training to offer your shoulder a low-intensity exercise with high-intensity results
• Trigger point dry needling to attack harder-to-reach damaged soft tissue to encourage the body’s natural healing processes
• Posture correction to ensure you are not inadvertently causing your shoulder pain or do not heal correctly
• Injury prevention so you and your shoulder and stay healthy and active
• Other safe, effective techniques to increase and maintain your mobility

Missouri Revised Statute §334.506 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 professional physical and occupational therapists are responsible and work closely with your primary care physician to ensure your treatment plan fits into your overall treatment plan.

Flint Hill, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

A well-functioning shoulder is important to not only carrying out daily tasks with ease, but to keeping up the active lifestyles we desire. At Axes, we focus on positive outcomes for our Flint Hill, MO clients by implementing 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. Make an appointment through our website or find our location nearest you.