Shoulder Pain in Green Park, MO. If you live with shoulder pain, you know the limitations it can place on your life. It can make everything from pouring a cup of coffee to serving an ace on the tennis court painful and, in some cases, not even an option. But pain and limited shoulder movement does not have to be a part of your everyday life. At Axes PT in Green Park, MO, our experienced physical therapists specialize in customized treatment plans, based on evidence, to get you back to the activities you love most. Let us help you make your shoulder pain an ancient memory. Make an appointment through our website or call the location nearest you.

The Anatomy of the Shoulder | Shoulder Pain in Green Park, MO

The shoulder is among human body’s largest and most complex 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. Given the relatively shallow socket, it has the widest range of motion as any other human joint.
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 for additional rotation of the shoulder blade.
3. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a gliding joint located where the clavicle meets the sternum at the foundation of the neck. This joint is where the arm and body meet, it it ensures your arm and body act in coordination.
4. The scapulothoracic (ST) “joint” is not a true anatomical joint as it does not have typical joint characteristics. It attaches and allows movement between the shoulder blade and the thoracic cage.

In order to support those four joints, the shoulder consists of:

• the four muscles of the rotator cup that surround the head of the humerus, which allow for movement movement and keep the ball of the upper arm bone slipping out of the socket
• the shoulder capsule, a a fluid-filled sac that surrounds and lubricates the shoulder
• the four shoulder ligaments which help connect bone to bone and provide stability for the capsule
• the tendons in the biceps and shoulder which attach muscle to bone
• the brachial plexus nerves that allow for the brain and muscles to communicate with each other
• the blood vessels that pump nutritious blood to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons

Proper shoulder strength, flexibility, and movement depends on every part of the system being healthy and working together. Sufficient blood must flow to the shoulder efficiently to 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 maintain structure, and the nerves need to have a strong and secure connection to the brain. When any one of the parts of the shoulder is damaged, inflamed, or otherwise irritated, it can lead to a disruption of the entire network, 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?

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 overuse to our bodies just getting weaker as we get older. Below are common causes of shoulder pain that our team see in Green Park, 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 repeated activities, often occurs in association with inflammation of the rotator cuff, and can make daily activities like brushing your teeth tremendously painful.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis is typically caused by a tendon becoming irritated. There are two causes of tendinitis:
  • Acute: This can happen because of trauma, excessive throwing, or other overhead activities common in some competitive and activities and fields of employment, such as track and field throwing events or moving objects overhead.
  • Chronic: The result of wear and tear or the body becoming weaker as we get older.

  The condition causes pain and tenderness just outside the joint.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be caused by acute injuries, such falling on an outstretched arm, or repetitive movements or old age. They begin with fraying and ultimately tear. People often live with partial tears obliviously. Complete tears, which go all the way through the tendon, often require surgery. Symptoms include pain when performing specific motions, pain when sleeping, and a clicking sensation when performing certain motions.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement is the result of soft tissue rubbing against your shoulder blade. It often occurs in tandem with an injury that causes inflammation in the rotator cuff. Shoulder impingement occurs the most in people who play sports or are otherwise active.
• Shoulder Instability — This happens 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 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 arthritis refers to a range of diagnoses, the shoulder most commonly experiences osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bones. It can be the result of old age, persistent trauma, and wear and tear. There is no cure for arthritis, but you can find effective pain management methods with Green Park, MO physical therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The humerus, clavicle, and shoulder blade are the bones in the shoulder most vulnerable to breaking. They usually happen as the result of falling from a height or high-energy collisions such as being tackles in a football game. The shoulder pain is usually significant, and the shoulder will experience substantial 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 signals between the brain and shoulder, or the nerves are otherwise damaged. Axillary nerve and brachial plexus injuries can cause shoulder pain along with a range of other sensations. They are commonly caused by high-impact trauma but can also occur because of degenerative conditions.

Sometimes, injuries are intertwined, such as instability that leads to impingement. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain, one of our safe, free injury screenings in Green Park, MO may help determine the root of it. If you’ve sustained a severe injury or have severe shoulder pain, a physician in Green Park, MO may use a physical examination, various imaging techniques, and/or arthroscopy to discover the cause. For most injuries or conditions that cause shoulder pain, a customized treatment plan with certified physical therapists and movement health specialists in Green Park, MO can be a great way to get you back to the things you love to do the most.

Treating Your Shoulder Pain in Green Park, MO

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, coordinated together with your physician, 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 you are still recovering
• Blood flow restriction training to strengthen muscles while reducing overall stress on the shoulder
• Trigger point dry needling to target 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 and your shoulder and stay healthy and active
• Other safe, effective exercises to increase and maintain your mobility

Missouri Revised Statute §334.506 requires a prescription to attend physical therapy appointments, so it’s important to speak to your Green Park, MO doctor to see if physical therapy is rights for your shoulder pain. Our knowledgeable physical and occupational therapists work alongside your primary care physician to make sure your treatment plan fits into your overall treatment plan.

Other services we offer in Green Park, MO include:

• Physical Therapy Clinic
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment
• Sciatica Treatment
• Sports Medicine
• Hand Pain Physical Therapy
• Foot & Ankle Pain Treatment
• Hip Pain Treatment
• Plantar Fasciitis Treatment
• Stroke Rehabilitation
• Hip Replacement Physical Therapy

Green Park, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

Optimal movement health is essential 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 Green Park, MO residents by implementing proven treatment plans catered to your injury, pain level, age, and the activities you want to get back to. You do not have to delay in getting back to the things you love doing most and a pain-free life. Request an appointment through our website or reach out to our location most convenient for you.