Shoulder Pain in Hematite, MO. Those who experience shoulder pain know the limitations it can place on your life. It can make everything from strapping on a seatbelt to making a breakaway layup frustrating and, for certain people, unfeasible. But pain and limited shoulder movement does not have to be a part of your everyday life. At Axes Physical Therapy in Hematite, MO, our professional physical therapists create customized treatment modalities, based on evidence, to get you back to optimal movement health. Trust in us to make your shoulder pain an ancient memory. Request an appointment through our website or reach out to our location nearest you.

The Human Shoulder | Shoulder Pain in Hematite, MO

The shoulder is one of the human body’s largest and most complex joints. 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. As the ball is several times larger than the socket, it is the most mobile joint in the body.
2. The acromioclavicular (AC) joint connects the collarbone to the acromion, the bony tip on the outer edge of the shoulder blade. A gliding joint, it allows for additional rotation of the shoulder blade.
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 torso meet, it it ensures your arm and body act in coordination.
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 thoracic cage.

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

• the four muscles of the rotator cup that surround the head of the humerus, which power 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 four shoulder ligaments which provide passive stability while still allowing for a wide range of movements
• the tendons in the biceps and shoulder which affix muscle to bone
• the brachial plexus nerves that send motor messages from the brain to muscles and sensory information (like pain) from the joints back to the brain
• the arteries that pump nutrient-rich blood to the shoulder

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 keep oxygen levels and muscles strong and stimulate the body’s natural healing processes. The muscles must have adequate strength and flexibility, the tendons attaching bone and muscle must be strong, flexible, and free of rips or tears, the ligaments that attach our bones need to be similarly healthy, 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 whole 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 Causes Shoulder Pain?

Shoulder pain can be caused by a variety of circumstances, from sports injuries to a car accident, a work injury from repeated activities to our bodies just getting weaker as we get older. The following are the most common underlying conditions that lead to shoulder pain in Hematite, 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 swollen after overuse, often occurs in combination with shoulder impingement, and can make daily tasks like getting in and out of cars incredibly painful.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis generally occurs because of a tendon becoming irritated. There are two types of tendinitis:
  • Acute: The result of trauma, repeated overhead motions, or other overhead activities needed in some competitive and activities and fields of employment, such as swimming or lifting boxes overhead.
  • Chronic: The result of degenerative conditions or the body becoming weaker as we get older.

  Symptoms include smarting pain, tenderness, and slight swelling.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be acute, like lifting an incredibly heavy object, or repetitive movements or old age. They usually start with fraying and then tear. People often live with partial tears unknowingly. Full-thickness tears, where the tendon is completely detached from the bone, often require surgery. Symptoms include having difficulty raising your arm or lifting things you normally can, pain when sleeping, and a grinding feeling with specific motions.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement describes when your acromion (the bony tip of your shoulder blade) rubs against the rotator cuff and bursae. It often occurs in tandem with an injury that causes inflammation in the rotator cuff. Shoulder impingement occurs the most in people who are physically active.
• Shoulder Instability — This occurs when the head of the upper arm bone is exits the shoulder socket, and also can happen suddenly or from overuse. 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 causes or is the result of injury to the surrounding areas of the shoulder. Long-term instability will cause shoulder pain and unsteadiness when performing certain motions.
• Arthritis — While there are many types of arthritis, osteoarthritis is the form that typically affects the shoulder. It is the result of the cartilage that acts as a shock absorber between your bones weakens and wears away. It can be the result of old age, repeated trauma, and wear and tear. Arthritis cannot be cured, but effective pain management is possible with Hematite, MO physical and occupational therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The upper arm bone, collarbone, and shoulder blade are the bones in the shoulder most susceptible to breaking. They are often the result of falling from a height or forceful collisions such as a car accident. The shoulder pain is immediate and obvious, and the shoulder will experience substantial swelling and bruising.
• Axillary Nerve Injuries or Brachial Plexus Injuries — Nerve damage in the shoulder is the result of when nerves are impinged on, when scar tissue interferes with their electric signals, or the nerves rupture. Axillary nerve and brachial plexus injuries can cause shoulder pain along with a range of other sensations. They are commonly caused by sudden trauma but can also occur because of overuse.

At times, one injury leads to another, for example instability that leads to impingement. If you’re currently suffering from shoulder pain, one of our safe, free injury screenings in Hematite, MO may help you discover the root of it. If you’ve sustained a severe injury or have severe shoulder pain, a physician in Hematite, 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 experienced physical therapists and movement health specialists in Hematite, MO can be a great way to get you back to the things you love to do the most.

Treating Your Shoulder Pain in Hematite, MO

Your tailored and proven physical therapy treatment plan may include:

• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization to identify degenerative tissue, smooth out scar tissue, and treat the affected area
• Pre- and post-surgical rehabilitation, based on a plan with come up with alongside your surgeon, if you need surgery to relieve your shoulder pain
• Kinesio Taping® to reduce pain and inflammation and keep you safe as you participate in physical activity or work while your body heals
• Blood flow restriction training to strengthen muscles while reducing overall stress on the shoulder
• Trigger point dry needling to target harder-to-reach damaged soft tissue to encourage the body’s natural healing processes
• Posture correction to ensure you do not contribute to your injuries or heal improperly
• Injury prevention so you can keep participating in the activities you love
• Other safe, effective treatment methods to increase and maintain your mobility

Missouri Law requires a prescription to attend physical therapy appointments, so you need to reach out to your Hematite, MO doctor to see if physical therapy is safe and an effective treatment option for your shoulder pain. Our licensed physical and occupational therapists work alongside your primary care physician to make sure your treatment plan is safe for your condition.

Other services we offer in Hematite, 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

Hematite, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

Optimal movement health 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 patient results for Hematite, MO people of all ages by implementing proven treatment plans catered to 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 find our location nearest you.