Shoulder Pain in Ironton, MO. Those who suffer from shoulder pain know the effect it can have on your life. It makes any basic task from pouring a cup of coffee to diving for a softball frustrating and, for some of us, not even an option. But pain and limited shoulder movement does not have to be a part of your everyday life. At Axes Physical Therapy in Ironton, MO, our experienced physical therapists specialize in customized treatment modalities, proven to work through research, to get you back to the activities you love most. Trust in us to make your shoulder pain a long-forgotten memory. Schedule an appointment through our website or reach out to our location nearest you.

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

The shoulder is among human body’s largest and most intricate joints. In reality, what we call the shoulder joint is made up of four different joints:

1. The glenohumeral (GH) joint is a ball and socket joint where the humerus (upper arm bone) fits into the socket of the glenoid. 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 part of the shoulder blade that is the highest part of the shoulder. A plane style synovial joint, it allows your shoulder blade to follow the movements of the other shoulder joints.
3. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a plane-style synovial joint formed by the collarbone the breastbone at the foundation of the neck. As the only joint that connects the arm to the torso, it it ensures your arm and body act in tandem.
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 is made up of the shoulder blade and its articulation with the ribcage.

In addition to those four joints, the shoulder consists 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 upper arm bone firmly within the shallow socket of the shoulder
• the shoulder capsule, a soft tissue sac that surrounds and protects the joints in the shoulder
• the ligaments of the shoulder which provide passive stability while still allowing for a wide range of movements
• the biceps tendon and rotator cuff tendons which attach muscle to bone
• the brachial plexus nerves that allow for the brain and muscles to communicate with each other
• the blood vessels that supply nutritious blood to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons

Optimal shoulder and movement health depends on every part of the system being healthy and working together. Sufficient blood must flow to the shoulder efficiently to maintain healthy soft tissue and repair minor damage. The muscles strong enough to move and flexible enough to safely make those movements, the tendons attaching bone and muscle must be strong, flexible, and free of rips or tears, the ligaments that attach our bones need to help maintain structure, 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 disruption of the entire system, and anywhere from nagging to severe shoulder pain or loss of function. If if shoulder pain or poor shoulder movement is part of your daily life, reach out to Axes’ physical therapists for a no-risk, no-obligation injury screening.

What’s Behind My Shoulder Pain?

Shoulder pain can be caused by numerous different circumstances, from sports injuries to falls, a work injury from repeated activities to old age. The following are common causes of shoulder pain that our team see in Ironton, MO:

• Bursitis — The bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that work as a cushion and gliding surface between muscles, bones, tendons, and skin. Bursitis occurs when the bursae because swollen after overuse, often occurs at the same time as shoulder impingement, and can make basic activities like carrying groceries tremendously painful.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis generally occurs because of inflammation or irritation of a tendon. There are two causes of tendinitis:
  • Acute: This can happen because of trauma, excessive throwing, or other overhead activities needed 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 get older.

  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 wear and tear. The tendon is initially frayed before becoming torn. A partial thickness tear often goes unnoticed. Complete tears, where the tendon is no longer attached whatsoever to the bone, do not heal by themselves. Associated symptoms are having difficulty raising your arm or lifting things you normally can, pain when lying on the side of the affected shoulder, and a grinding feeling when performing certain motions.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement describes when your acromion (outer edge of your scapula) pinches the soft tissue in your shoulder. 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 happens when the head of the upper arm bone 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 surrounding areas of the shoulder. Chronic instability will cause shoulder pain and unsteadiness when performing certain motions.
• Arthritis — While there are many types of arthritis, the shoulder most typically suffers from osteoarthritis. It occurs when the cartilage cushioning the ends of your bones weakens and wears away. Common causes include tissue weakening as we become older, repeated trauma, and overuse. Arthritis cannot be cured, but effective pain management can be found with Ironton, MO physical therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The upper arm bone, clavicle, and shoulder blade 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 swelling and bruising.
• Axillary Nerve Injuries or Brachial Plexus Injuries — Nerve damage in the shoulder is the result of when nerves are stretched, when scar tissue blocks signals between the brain and shoulder, or the nerves burst. These injuries can cause shoulder pain, stingers, tingling, and loss of feeling in your shoulder, arm, or hand. They are usually the result of a sudden blow but can also happen because of wear and tear.

Sometimes, injuries are intertwined, such as an impingement that leads to damage to the nerves. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain, one of our no-obligation, free injury screenings in Ironton, MO may help you discover the underlying cause. To diagnose shoulder pain a physician in Ironton, 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 knowledgeable physical therapists that specialize in movement health in Ironton, MO can be an effective way to return to optimal movement health.

Treating Your Shoulder Pain in Ironton, 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 your shoulder pain was caused by an injury that needed surgery to correct
• Kinesio Taping® to provide support for your shoulder and allow you to participate in physical activity or work while your body heals
• Blood flow restriction training to offer your shoulder a low-intensity exercise with high-intensity results
• Trigger point dry needling to attack 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 techniques to optimize your mobility

Missouri Law requires a prescription to attend physical therapy appointments, so you need to reach out to your Ironton, MO primary care 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 make sure your treatment plan is safe for your condition.

Other services we offer in Ironton, 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

Ironton, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

Optimal movement health is essential to not only carrying out daily tasks with ease, but to doing the things we love. At Axes, we focus on patient results for our Ironton, MO clients by implementing evidence-backed treatment plans catered to your injury, pain level, age, and how physically active you need to be. You do not have to delay in getting back to the activities you love and a pain-free life. Make an appointment through our website or call the location nearest you.