Shoulder Pain in Florissant, MO. Those who suffer from shoulder pain know how debilitating it can be. It makes any basic task from strapping on a seatbelt 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 Physical Therapy in Florissant, MO, our licensed physical therapists are experts at designing tailored treatment modalities, proven to work through research, to get you back to the activities you love most. Trust in us to safely and effectively treat your shoulder pain. Make an appointment through our website or find the location nearest you.

How Does the Shoulder Work? | Shoulder Pain in Florissant, MO

The shoulder is among the largest and most complex joints we have. In reality, it is a compound of four joints:

1. The glenohumeral (GH) joint is the joint responsible for connecting the upper extremity to the trunk. Given the relatively shallow dish, it allows for more movement than any other joint.
2. The acromioclavicular (AC) joint is formed by the junction of the clavicle the acromion, the bony tip on the outer edge of the shoulder blade. A plane joint, it allows your shoulder blade to follow the movements of the other shoulder joints.
3. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a plane-style synovial joint formed by the collarbone the sternum at the bottom 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 more of a “floating” 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 part of rib cage at the back of our bodies.

In addition to those four joints, the shoulder is made up of:

• the four muscles of the rotator cup covering the head of the upper arm bone, which allow for movement movement and keep the ball of the humerus stable
• the shoulder capsule, a a fluid-filled sac that surrounds and lubricates the joints in the shoulder
• the four shoulder ligaments which provide passive stability while still allowing for movements in different planes
• the tendons in the biceps and shoulder 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 pump nutritious blood to the shoulder

Optimal shoulder and movement health depends on every part of the system being healthy and working together. Blood must flow freely to 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 strong, flexible, and free of rips or tears, the ligaments that attach our bones need to help support proper structure, and the nerves need to have a strong and secure connection to the brain. When any of these parts are not at optimal health, it can lead to a disruption of the whole network, 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, reach out to Axes’ physical therapists for a complimentary injury screening.

What’s Behind My Shoulder Pain?

As the shoulder has so many moving parts, shoulder pain can have many root causes, from sports injuries to a car accident, a work injury from repeated activities to old age. The following are the most common underlying conditions that lead to shoulder pain in Florissant, 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 swollen after repeated activities, often occurs in association with shoulder impingement, and can make basic activities like getting in and out of cars tremendously painful.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis generally occurs because of inflammation or irritation of a tendon. There are two causes of tendinitis:
  • Acute: This can happen because of trauma, repeated throwing, or other overhead activities common in some competitive and activities and fields of employment, such as track and field throwing events or lifting boxes above your head.
  • Chronic: The result of wear and tear or general weakness as we age.

  Symptoms include aching, 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 thickness tear often goes unnoticed. Complete tears, where the tendon is completely detached from 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 grinding sensation when performing certain movements.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement is the result of the rotator cuff and bursae rubbing against your shoulder blade. It often occurs in tandem with an injury that causes inflammation in the rotator cuff. Shoulder impingement is rarely caused by overuse, and is most common in athletes or others who engage in 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 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 happens in combination with injury to the surrounding areas of the shoulder. Chronic instability will cause shoulder pain and unsteadiness when performing certain motions.
• Arthritis — While arthritis refers to a range of diagnoses, osteoarthritis is the condition that typically affects the shoulder. It is the result of the cartilage that acts as a shock absorber between your bones degenerates. Common causes include tissue weakening as we become older, repeated injuries, and wear and tear. There is no cure for arthritis, but you can find effective pain management techniques with Florissant, MO physical and occupational therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The humerus, collarbone, and shoulder blade are the bones in the shoulder most susceptible to breaking. They are often the result of falling a significant distance or onto a hard surface or forceful collisions such as being tackles in a football game. The shoulder pain is immediate and obvious, along with substantial swelling and bruising.
• Axillary Nerve Injuries or Brachial Plexus Injuries — Nerve damage in the shoulder can occur when nerves are impinged on, when scar tissue blocks communication between the brain and shoulder, or the nerves are torn into two pieces. Axillary nerve and brachial plexus injuries can cause shoulder pain, stingers, tingling, and loss of feeling in your shoulder, arm, or hand. They are commonly caused by high-impact trauma but can also occur because of wear and tear.

Sometimes, injuries are connected, such as a fracture causing damage to the nerves. If you’re currently suffering from shoulder pain, one of our no-obligation, free injury screenings in Florissant, 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 Florissant, 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 licensed physical therapists that are experts in movement health in Florissant, MO can be a successful way to return to a pain-free daily life and the active lifestyle you deserve.

Treating Your Shoulder Pain in Florissant, MO

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

• 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 reduce pain and inflammation 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 results
• Trigger point dry needling to target damaged soft tissue deeper in the body to stimulate blood flow
• Posture correction to make sure you do not contribute to your injuries or heal improperly
• Injury prevention so you and your shoulder and stay healthy and active
• Other safe, effective exercises to optimize your mobility

Missouri Revised Statute §334.506 requires a prescription for physical therapy, so you need to reach out to your Florissant, 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 is safe for your condition.

Other services we offer in Florissant, MO include:

• Dry Needling Near Me
• Tendonitis Treatment
• Manual Physical Therapy
• Orthopedic Rehab Near Me
• Beginner Running Program
• Chronic Pain Treatment
• Spine Specialist Near Me
• MCL Injury
• Injury Prevention

Florissant, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

Optimal movement health is important to not only living our every day life, but to doing the things we love. At Axes, we focus on positive outcomes for Florissant, MO residents by developing 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. Schedule an appointment through our website or call the location most convenient for you.