Shoulder Pain in Innsbrook, MO. If you live with shoulder pain, you know how hard it can be to manage. It makes any basic task from brushing your teeth to making a breakaway layup frustrating and, for some of us, not even an option. But pain and limited shoulder movement is usually manageable and beatable with safe and effective treatment. At Axes Physical Therapy in Innsbrook, MO, our experienced physical therapists are experts at designing customized treatment modalities, backed by proven research, to get you back to striking out opponents, or just combing your hair pain-free. Trust in us to turn your shoulder pain from a daily occurrence into a thing of the past. Schedule an appointment through our website or reach out to our location nearest you.

The Human Shoulder | Shoulder Pain in Innsbrook, MO

The shoulder is one of the human body’s largest and most complex joints. In actuality, what we call 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 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 torso meet, it coordinates the movement of the upper limb with the core of your body.
4. The scapulothoracic (ST) “joint” is not a true anatomical joint as it does not have ligaments connecting it to bone. It attaches and allows movement between the shoulder blade and the part of rib cage at the back of our bodies.

In addition to those four joints, the shoulder is made up of:

• the four muscles of the rotator cup that surround the head of the upper arm bone, which power movement and keep the head of the humerus firmly within the shallow socket of the shoulder
• the shoulder capsule, a tough sheath or membrane that encloses the shoulder
• the four shoulder ligaments which attach bones together and provide stability for the capsule
• the biceps tendon and rotator cuff tendons 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 pump much-needed blood to the shoulder

In order for the shoulder to function properly every joint, ligament, tendon, muscle, artery, capsule, and nerve must function well. Blood must be allowed to reach the shoulder maintain healthy soft tissue and stimulate the body’s natural healing processes. The muscles strong enough to move and flexible enough to safely make those movements, the tendons attaching bone and muscle must be intact and strong, the ligaments that attach our bones need to help support proper structure, and messages most be able to be sent and received between the brain and shoulder. 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?

Shoulder pain can be caused by numerous different circumstances, from sports injuries to a car accident, a work injury from overuse to old age. Below are common causes of shoulder pain that our team see in Innsbrook, MO:

• Bursitis — The bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that cushion bones, tendons, and muscles in and around your shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, and other joints. Bursitis occurs when the bursae because inflamed after overuse, often occurs in combination with shoulder impingement, and can make basic activities like getting in and out of cars incredibly painful.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis generally occurs because of a tendon becoming irritated. It typically falls into one of two categories:
  • Acute: The result of a sudden blow, excessive throwing, or other overhead activities common in some competitive and activities and fields of employment, such as tennis or lifting and lowering objects.
  • Chronic: This can happen because of wear and tear or the body becoming weaker as we age.

  The condition causes pain and tenderness just outside the joint.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be acute, like falling on an outstretched arm, or more chronic in nature. The tendon is initially frayed before becoming torn. A partial thickness tear often goes unnoticed. Complete tears, where the tendon is completely detached from the bone, do not heal by themselves. Associated symptoms are pain when performing certain movements, pain when lying on the side of the affected shoulder, and a grinding feeling with certain motions.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement describes when your acromion (outer edge of your shoulder blade) pinches the soft tissue in your shoulder. It is often the result of rotator cuff swellings because of an injury. Shoulder impingement is rarely caused by overuse, and is most common in athletes or others who engage in 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 be the result of injury or wear and tear. 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 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 old age, repeated trauma, and wear and tear. Arthritis cannot be cured, but you can find effective pain management techniques with Innsbrook, MO physical therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The humerus, clavicle, and scapula are the bones in the shoulder most susceptible to fracture. They are often the result of falling from a height or high-impact collisions such as being tackles in a football game. The shoulder pain is usually intense, and the shoulder will experience substantial swelling and bruising.
• Axillary Nerve Injuries or Brachial Plexus Injuries — Nerve damage in the shoulder can occur when nerves are stretched, when scar tissue blocks signals between the brain and shoulder, or the nerves are torn into two pieces. Axillary nerve and brachial plexus injuries can cause shoulder pain along with a range of other sensations. They are commonly caused by a sudden blow but can also occur because of wear and tear.

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 Innsbrook, MO may help you discover the underlying cause. To diagnose shoulder pain a physician in Innsbrook, MO may use a physical examination, various imaging techniques, and/or arthroscopy. Most people who experience shoulder pain can find recovery with a tailored treatment plan with certified physical therapists that specialize in movement health in Innsbrook, MO can be an effective way to return to optimal movement health.

How Do Innsbrook, 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 problems with your muscles, ligaments, or tendons
• Pre- and post-surgical rehabilitation, based on a plan with come up with alongside your physician, if you need surgery to relieve your shoulder pain
• Kinesio Taping® to provide support for your shoulder and keep you safe as you participate in physical activity 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 damaged muscles, ligaments, and tendons deeper in the body to encourage the body’s natural healing processes
• Posture correction to make sure you are not inadvertently causing your shoulder pain or heal improperly
• Injury prevention so you can keep participating in the activities you love
• Other safe, effective treatment methods to optimize your mobility

Missouri Revised Statute §334.506 stipulates that you need a prescription to attend physical therapy appointments, so it’s important to speak to your Innsbrook, MO physician to see if physical therapy is rights for your shoulder pain. Our licensed 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 Innsbrook, 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

Innsbrook, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

Optimal movement health is essential to not only living our every day life, but to doing the things we love. At Axes, we focus on positive outcomes for our Innsbrook, MO clients by creating 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 activities you love and a pain-free life. Request an appointment online or find the location most convenient for you.