Shoulder Pain in Herculaneum, MO. Those who suffer from shoulder pain know the effect it can have on your life. It makes any daily task from strapping on a seatbelt to serving an ace on the tennis court frustrating and, sometimes, unfeasible. But pain and limited shoulder movement does not have to be a part of your everyday life. At Axes PT in Herculaneum, MO, our professional 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. Let us help you safely and effectively treat your shoulder pain. Schedule an appointment through our website or find the location nearest you.

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

The shoulder is among human body’s largest and most intricate joints. In reality, it is made up of four independent smaller joints:

1. The glenohumeral (GH) joint is a ball and socket 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 is formed by the junction of the clavicle the acromion, the bony tip on the outer edge of the shoulder blade. A plane style synovial joint, it allows for additional rotation of the shoulder blade.
3. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a plane-style synovial joint formed by the clavicle 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 typical joint characteristics. It is made up of the shoulder blade and its articulation with the ribcage.

The shoulder is supported and surrounded by:

• the four muscles of the rotator cup that surround the head of the upper arm bone, which power movement and keep the ball of the humerus slipping out of the socket
• the shoulder capsule, a soft tissue sac that encloses the shoulder
• the four shoulder ligaments which provide passive stability while still allowing for a wide range of movements
• the biceps tendon and rotator cuff tendons which connect muscle to bone
• the brachial plexus nerves that allow for the brain and muscles to communicate with each other
• the blood vessels that supply much-needed blood to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons

Optimal shoulder and movement health depends on every part of the system functioning well. 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 intact and strong, the ligaments connecting bones need to be similarly healthy, and the nerves need to have a strong and secure connection to the brain. 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 free injury screening.

What Causes 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 overuse to old age. The following are common causes of shoulder pain that our physical and occupations therapists see in Herculaneum, 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 swollen after overuse, often occurs in combination with irritation of the rotator cuff, and can make daily tasks like brushing your teeth tremendously difficult.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis is typically caused by inflammation or irritation of a tendon. It typically falls into one of two categories:
  • Acute: The result of trauma, excessive overhead motions, or other overhead activities common in some sports and occupations, such as throwing overhead or lifting boxes overhead.
  • Chronic: The result of degenerative conditions or general weakness as we age.

  Symptoms include aching, tenderness, and slight swelling.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be caused by sudden trauma, like falling on an outstretched arm, or repetitive movements or old age. They usually start with fraying and then tear. People often live with partial thickness tears unaware. Full-thickness tears, which go all the way through the tendon, do not heal by themselves. Common symptoms are pain when performing certain movements, pain when sleeping, and a cracking 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 combination with an injury that causes inflammation in the rotator cuff. Shoulder impingement is rarely caused by overuse, but rather by physical activity.
• 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 is accompanied by injury to the surrounding areas of the shoulder. Chronic instability will cause shoulder pain and a sense of the shoulder “giving way.”
• Arthritis — While there are many types of arthritis, osteoarthritis is the form that typically affects the shoulder. Osteoarthritis is the degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bones. Common causes include old age, persistent injuries, and overuse. There is no cure for arthritis, but you can find effective pain management techniques with Herculaneum, MO physical and occupational therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The upper arm bone, collarbone, and scapula 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 a car accident. The shoulder pain is immediate and obvious, and the shoulder will experience considerable inflammation 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 burst. These injuries can cause shoulder pain along with a range of other sensations. They are usually the result of high-impact trauma but can also occur because of degenerative conditions.

Sometimes, injuries are intertwined, for example how an untreated rotator cuff tear can lead to arthritis. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain, one of our safe, free injury screenings in Herculaneum, MO may help you discover the underlying cause. To diagnose shoulder pain a physician in Herculaneum, MO may use a physical examination, various imaging techniques, and/or arthroscopy. Most people who experience shoulder pain can experience recovery with a tailored treatment plan with knowledgeable physical therapists that are experts in movement health in Herculaneum, MO can be an effective way to get you back to the things you love to do the most.

Treating Your Shoulder Pain in Herculaneum, MO

Your customized and evidence-backed physical therapy treatment plan may include:

• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization to identify soft tissue restrictions, break down 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 sports or go back to work while your body heals
• Blood flow restriction training to offer your shoulder a low-intensity exercise with high-intensity benefits
• Trigger point dry needling to attack harder-to-reach damaged muscles, ligaments, and tendons 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 techniques 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 Herculaneum, MO physician to see if physical therapy is rights for your shoulder pain. Our knowledgeable physical and occupational therapists form a team with your primary care physician to make sure your treatment plan fits into your overall treatment plan.

Other services we offer in Herculaneum, 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

Herculaneum, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

A healthy shoulder 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 Herculaneum, MO residents by developing proven 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 activities you love and a pain-free life. Schedule an appointment online or call our location most convenient for you.