Shoulder Pain in Imperial, MO. If you live with shoulder pain, you know the limitations it can place on your life. It makes any daily task from pouring a cup of coffee to playing volleyball frustrating and, for some of us, unfeasible. But pain and limited shoulder movement does not have to be a part of your everyday life. At Axes PT in Imperial, MO, our experienced physical therapists create customized treatment plans, backed by proven research, to get you back to the activities you love most. Allow us to make your shoulder pain a long-forgotten memory. Schedule an appointment through our website or call the location nearest you.

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

The shoulder is one of the human body’s largest and most intricate joints. In actuality, it is a compound 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 has the widest range of motion as any other human joint.
2. The acromioclavicular (AC) joint connects the clavicle to the acromion, the part of the shoulder blade that is the highest part of the shoulder. A plane style synovial joint, it allows you to outstretch your arm.
3. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a gliding joint formed by the clavicle the breastbone at the bottom of the neck. This joint is where the arm and torso meet, 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 is made up of the scapula 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 stable
• the shoulder capsule, a a fluid-filled sac that surrounds and lubricates the joints in the shoulder
• the ligaments of the shoulder which help connect bone to bone and provide stability for the capsule
• the tendons in the biceps and shoulder 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 pump nutritious blood to the shoulder

Being able to move your shoulder pain free depends on every part of the system being healthy and working together. Blood must flow freely to the shoulder maintain healthy soft tissue and repair minor damage. 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 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 can lead to a disruption of the whole complex, 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, reach out to Axes’ physical therapists for a no-risk, no-obligation injury screening.

What Causes 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 repeated activities to our bodies just getting weaker as we get older. The following are common causes of shoulder pain that our team see in Imperial, MO:

• Bursitis — The bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that act as shock absorbers and reduce friction in joints. Bursitis the result of the bursae becoming irritated after overuse, often occurs in combination with rotator cuff tendinitis, and can make basic tasks like carrying groceries immensely difficult.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis generally occurs because of a tendon becoming irritated. There are two types of tendinitis:
  • Acute: This can happen because of a sudden blow, repeated overhead motions, or other overhead activities needed in some competitive and activities and occupations, such as volleyball or lifting and lowering objects.
  • Chronic: The result of degenerative conditions or general weakness as we get weaker.

  Symptoms include smarting pain, throbbing, and slight swelling.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be acute, such falling on an outstretched arm, or repetitive movements or old age. The tendon is initially frayed before becoming torn. People often live with partial thickness tears unknowingly. Complete tears, which pull the tendon off the bone, do not heal by themselves. Associated symptoms are having difficulty raising your arm or lifting things you normally can, pain when sleeping, and a grinding feeling with certain motions.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement occurs when your acromion (outer edge of your shoulder blade) pinches the soft tissue in your shoulder. It often occurs alongside 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 forced out of the shoulder socket, and also can be the result of injury or 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 happens in combination with injury to the supporting soft tissue of the shoulder. Chronic instability will result in shoulder pain and unsteadiness when performing certain motions.
• Arthritis — While there are many types of arthritis, the shoulder most typically experiences osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bones. Common causes include tissue weakening as we become older, repeated trauma, and overuse. Arthritis cannot be cured, but you can find effective pain management methods with Imperial, MO physical therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The upper arm bone, clavicle, and shoulder blade are the bones in the shoulder most susceptible to breaking. They usually happen as the result of falling from a height or forceful collisions such as a car accident. The shoulder pain is immediate and obvious, along with substantial inflammation and bruising.
• Axillary Nerve Injuries or Brachial Plexus Injuries — Nerve damage in the shoulder can occur when nerves are stretched, when scar tissue blocks their electric signals, or the nerves are torn into two pieces. These injuries can cause shoulder pain along with a range of other sensations. They are usually the result of a sudden blow but can also occur because of wear and tear.

Sometimes, injuries are intertwined, such as instability that leads to impingement. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain, one of our no-obligation, free injury screenings in Imperial, 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 Imperial, 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 personalized treatment plan with licensed physical therapists and movement health specialists in Imperial, MO can be a great way to return to the activities you love.

How Do Imperial, MO Physical Therapists Treat Shoulder Pain?

Your tailored 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 keep you safe as you 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 target irritated muscles, ligaments, and tendons deeper in the body to stimulate blood flow
• Posture correction to make sure you do not contribute to your injuries or heal improperly
• Injury prevention so you do not lose your active lifestyle in the future
• Other safe, effective treatment methods to increase and maintain your mobility

Missouri Revised Statute §334.506 stipulates that you need a prescription for physical therapy, so you need to reach out to your Imperial, 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 ensure your treatment plan is safe for your condition.

Other services we offer in Imperial, 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

Imperial, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

A well-functioning shoulder is important to not only living our every day life, but to doing the things we love. At Axes, we focus on patient results for Imperial, MO residents by implementing proven 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. Make an appointment online or find our location nearest you.