Shoulder Pain in Foristell, MO. If you live with shoulder pain, you know how debilitating it can be. It makes any basic task from watering the flowers to making a breakaway layup frustrating and, for some of us, impossible. But you do not need to live the rest of your life with pain and limited shoulder movement. At Axes PT in Foristell, MO, our licensed physical therapists create personalized treatment modalities, proven to work through research, to get you back to optimal movement health. Allow us to make your shoulder pain an ancient memory. Make an appointment through our website or find our location nearest you.

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

The shoulder is among human body’s largest and most intricate joints. In reality, it is a multiplex of four joints:

1. The glenohumeral (GH) joint is the joint responsible for connecting the upper extremity to the trunk. Given the relatively shallow socket, it is the most mobile joint in the body.
2. The acromioclavicular (AC) joint connects the collarbone to the acromion, the part of the scapula that is the highest part of the shoulder. A plane joint, it allows you to outstretch your arm.
3. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a gliding joint formed by the collarbone the sternum 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.
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 scapula and its articulation with the ribcage.

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

• the four muscles of the rotator cup that surround the head of the upper arm bone, which power movement and stabilize the ball of the humerus within the shoulder socket
• the shoulder capsule, a soft tissue sac that encloses 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 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 pump nutrient-rich 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 function well. Sufficient blood must flow to the shoulder efficiently to maintain healthy soft tissue and stimulate the body’s natural healing processes. 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 connecting bones need to help support proper 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 disruption of the whole complex, and anywhere from nagging to debilitating 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 Causes Shoulder Pain?

Shoulder pain can be caused by numerous different 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 common causes of shoulder pain that our physical and occupations therapists see in Foristell, MO:

• Bursitis — The bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that cushion bones, tendons, and muscles in and around your joints. Bursitis the result of the bursae becoming inflamed after repeated activities, often occurs in association with inflammation of the rotator cuff, and can make basic tasks like carrying groceries incredibly difficult.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis generally occurs because of a tendon becoming irritated. There are two types of tendinitis:
  • Acute: This can happen because of trauma, repeated throwing, or other overhead activities needed in some competitive and activities and occupations, such as tennis or lifting boxes overhead.
  • Chronic: This can happen because of wear and tear or the body becoming weaker as we get older.

  Symptoms include smarting pain, throbbing, and slight swelling.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be caused by sudden trauma, like lifting an incredibly heavy object, or more chronic in nature. They usually start with fraying and then tear. People often live with partial tears obliviously. Full-thickness tears, which pull the tendon off the bone, do not heal by themselves. Symptoms include pain when performing specific motions, pain when lying on the side of the affected shoulder, and a popping feeling with certain movements.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement occurs when your acromion (the bony tip of your scapula) rubs against the rotator cuff and bursae. It is often the result of rotator cuff swellings after an injury. Shoulder impingement is rarely caused by overuse, but rather by physical activity.
• Shoulder Instability — This happens when the humerus is forced out of the shoulder socket, 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 is accompanied by injury to the supporting soft tissue of the shoulder. Long-term instability will cause shoulder pain and a sense of the shoulder “giving way.”
• Arthritis — While arthritis refers to a range of diagnoses, osteoarthritis is the form that typically affects the shoulder. Osteoarthritis is the degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bones. It can be the result of tissue weakening as we become older, repeated injuries, and overuse. There is no cure for arthritis, but effective pain management is possible with Foristell, MO physical therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The upper arm bone, collarbone, and scapula are the bones in the shoulder most vulnerable to breaking. They are often the result of falling from a height or high-energy collisions such as a car accident. The shoulder pain is usually severe, and the shoulder will experience considerable swelling and contusions.
• Axillary Nerve Injuries or Brachial Plexus Injuries — Nerve damage in the shoulder can occur when nerves are stretched, when scar tissue interferes with their electric signals, or the nerves burst. These injuries can cause shoulder pain, stingers, weakness, and loss of feeling in your shoulder, arm, or hand. They are usually the result of sudden trauma but can also happen because of wear and tear.

At times, one injury leads to another, for example a dislocation that leads to damage to the nerves. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain, one of our no-risk, free injury screenings in Foristell, MO may help determine the underlying cause. If you’ve sustained a severe injury or have severe shoulder pain, a physician in Foristell, 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 recovery with a personalized treatment plan with knowledgeable physical therapists and movement health specialists in Foristell, MO can be a great way to get you back to the activities you love.

How Do Foristell, MO Physical Therapists Treat Shoulder Pain?

Your customized 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, based on a plan with come up with alongside your surgeon, if your shoulder pain was caused by an injury that needed surgery to correct
• Kinesio Taping® to reduce pain and inflammation and allow you to participate in sports or work while your body heals
• Blood flow restriction training to improve strength while reducing overall stress on the shoulder
• Trigger point dry needling to attack irritated soft tissue deeper in the body to encourage the body’s natural healing processes
• Posture correction to make sure you are not inadvertently causing your shoulder pain or do not heal correctly
• Injury prevention so you do not lose your active lifestyle in the future
• Other safe, effective treatment methods to optimize your mobility

Missouri Revised Statute §334.506 requires a prescription for physical therapy, so it’s necessary to speak to your Foristell, 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 Foristell, 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

Foristell, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

A healthy shoulder is essential to not only carrying out daily tasks with ease, but to keeping up the active lifestyles we desire. At Axes, we focus on patient results for Foristell, MO people of all ages by creating proven treatment plans catered to your injury, pain level, age, and how physically active you need to be. 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 nearest you.