Shoulder Pain in Horine, MO. If you live with shoulder pain, you know how debilitating it can be. It can make everything from pouring a cup of coffee to diving for a softball frustrating and, for some of us, not even an option. But you do not have to accept pain and limited shoulder movement. At Axes PT in Horine, MO, our experienced physical therapists create personalized treatment modalities, backed by proven research, to get you back to the activities you love most. Trust in us to turn your shoulder pain from a daily occurrence into a thing of the past. Make an appointment through our website or reach out to our location nearest you.

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

The shoulder is among human body’s largest and most complex joints. In reality, what is referred to as the shoulder joint is made up of four different 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 allows for more movement than any other joint.
2. The acromioclavicular (AC) joint connects the collarbone to the acromion, the bony tip on the outer edge of the scapula. A gliding joint, it allows you to outstretch your arm.
3. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a gliding joint located where the clavicle meets the breastbone at the foundation of the neck. As the only joint that connects the arm to the torso, it connects 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 attaches and allows movement between the shoulder blade and the part of rib cage at the back of our bodies.

The shoulder is supported and surrounded by:

• the four muscles of the rotator cup that surround the head of the humerus, which power 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 attach bones together and provide stability for the capsule
• the tendons in the biceps and shoulder which allow muscles to power the bones
• 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 supply 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 reach to the shoulder efficiently to maintain healthy soft tissue and stimulate the body’s natural recovery processes. The muscles strong enough to move and flexible enough to safely make those movements, 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 of these parts are not at optimal health, it can lead to a disruption of the whole system, and anywhere from nagging to intense shoulder pain or loss of function. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain or any other symptoms of a shoulder injury, contact Axes’ physical therapists for a free injury screening.

What’s Behind My Shoulder Pain?

Shoulder pain can be caused by a variety of circumstances, from sports injuries to acute trauma, a work injury from repeated activities 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 Horine, MO:

• Bursitis — The bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that cushion bones, tendons, and muscles in and around your joints. Bursitis occurs when the bursae because irritated after repeated activities, often occurs in combination with shoulder impingement, and can make basic activities like getting in and out of cars tremendously difficult.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis generally occurs because of a tendon becoming irritated. It typically falls into one of two categories:
  • Acute: This can happen because of a sudden blow, repeated throwing, or other overhead activities common in some competitive and activities and occupations, such as volleyball or lifting boxes above your head.
  • Chronic: The result of wear and tear or general weakness as we get weaker.

  Symptoms include aching, throbbing, and mild swelling.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be caused by acute injuries, like falling on an outstretched arm, or more chronic in nature. They usually start with fraying and then tear. A partial thickness tear often goes unnoticed. Complete tears, which pull the tendon off the bone, do not heal by themselves. Associated symptoms are pain with certain movements, pain when lying on the side of the affected shoulder, and a popping feeling when performing certain movements.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement describes when your acromion (outer edge of your shoulder blade) irritates the soft tissue in your shoulder. It often occurs in tandem 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 humerus is allowed to move out of the socket when the capsule or ligaments become damaged, 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 happens in combination with injury to the supporting soft tissue 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 cushioning the ends of your bones weakens and wears away. Common causes include old age, persistent injuries, and overuse. Arthritis cannot be cured, but you can find effective pain management methods with Horine, MO physical therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The humerus, clavicle, and scapula are the most commonly broken bones in the shoulder. They usually happen as the result of falling a significant distance or onto a hard surface or high-energy collisions such as a car accident. The shoulder pain is usually severe, along with considerable 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 blocks their electric signals, or the nerves rupture. These injuries can cause shoulder pain, stingers, numbness, and loss of sensation in your upper extremities. They are usually the result of high-impact trauma but can also happen because of degenerative conditions.

At times, one injury leads to another, such as how an untreated rotator cuff tear can lead to arthritis. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain, one of our safe, free injury screenings in Horine, MO may help you discover why you’re experiencing the pain. If you’ve sustained a severe injury or have severe shoulder pain, a physician in Horine, 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 licensed physical therapists that are experts in movement health in Horine, MO can be a great way to get you back to the activities you love.

Treating Your Shoulder Pain in Horine, MO

Your customized and proven physical therapy treatment plan may include:

• 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 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 go back to work while your body heals
• Blood flow restriction training to strengthen muscles while reducing overall stress on the shoulder
• Trigger point dry needling to attack irritated muscles, ligaments, and tendons deeper in the body to encourage the body’s natural healing processes
• Posture correction to ensure you are not inadvertently causing your shoulder pain or heal improperly
• Injury prevention so you do not lose your active lifestyle in the future
• Other safe, effective treatment methods to optimize your mobility

Missouri Law dictates that you need a prescription for physical therapy, so it’s important to speak to your Horine, MO doctor to see if physical therapy is safe and an effective treatment option for your shoulder pain. Our licensed physical and occupational therapists are responsible and work closely with your primary care physician to make sure you are getting the care that fits into your overall treatment plan.

Other services we offer in Horine, 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

Horine, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

Optimal movement health is important 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 our Horine, MO clients 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 things you love doing most and a pain-free life. Schedule an appointment through our website or call our location nearest you.