Shoulder Pain in Jefferson Barracks, MO. Those who experience shoulder pain know the effect it can have on your life. It makes everything from pouring a cup of coffee to serving an ace on the tennis court painful and, sometimes, not even an option. But you do not need to live the rest of your life with pain and limited shoulder movement. At Axes Physical Therapy in Jefferson Barracks, MO, our licensed physical therapists are experts at developing tailored treatment modalities, backed by proven research, to get you back to optimal movement health. Trust in us to safely and effectively treat your shoulder pain. Make an appointment through our website or call our location most convenient for you.

How Does the Shoulder Work? | Shoulder Pain in Jefferson Barracks, MO

The shoulder is one of the human body’s largest and most complex joints. In reality, it is made up of four independent smaller 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. As the the top of the humerus is several times larger than the 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 plane-style synovial joint formed by the collarbone the breastbone at the bottom of the neck. As the only joint that connects the arm to the torso, it links 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.

The shoulder is supported and surrounded by:

• the four muscles of the rotator cup covering the head of the humerus, which allow for movement movement and keep the head of the humerus 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 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 pump nutritious blood to the shoulder

Proper shoulder strength, flexibility, and movement depends on every part of the system functioning well. Blood must flow freely to the shoulder maintain healthy soft tissue and repair minor damage. The muscles strong enough to move and flexible enough to safely make those movements, 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 one of the parts of the shoulder is damaged, inflamed, or otherwise irritated, it can lead to a disruption of the whole network, 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 Causes Shoulder Pain?

Shoulder pain can be caused by numerous different circumstances, from sports injuries to being struck by an object, a work injury from overuse to old age. Below are common causes of shoulder pain that our physical and occupations therapists see in Jefferson Barracks, MO:

• Bursitis — The bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that cushion bones, tendons, and muscles in and around your joints. Bursitis the result of the bursae becoming inflamed after overuse, often occurs in association with rotator cuff tendinitis, and can make basic activities like brushing your teeth tremendously painful.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis generally occurs because of a tendon becoming irritated. There are two causes of tendinitis:
  • 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 throwing overhead or lifting boxes above your head.
  • 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 repetitive movements or old age. They usually start with fraying and then tear. A partial thickness tear often goes unnoticed. Complete tears, which go all the way through the tendon, often require surgery. Associated symptoms are having difficulty raising your arm or lifting things you normally can, pain when sleeping, and a grinding feeling with specific motions.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement is the result of the rotator cuff and bursae rubbing against your shoulder blade. It is often the result of rotator cuff swellings after an injury. 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 stretched, torn, or detached, 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. Long-term instability will result in shoulder pain and unsteadiness when performing certain motions.
• Arthritis — While there are many kinds of arthritis, osteoarthritis is the condition that typically affects the shoulder. It is the result of the cartilage that acts as a shock absorber between your bones degenerates. It can be the result of old age, frequent injuries, and wear and tear. There is no cure for arthritis, but you can find effective pain management methods with Jefferson Barracks, MO physical therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The upper arm bone, clavicle, and scapula are the most commonly broken bones in the shoulder. They usually happen as the result of falling from a height or forceful collisions such as being tackles in a football game. The shoulder pain is immediate and obvious, along with substantial swelling and contusions.
• Axillary Nerve Injuries or Brachial Plexus Injuries — Nerve damage in the shoulder can occur when nerves are impinged on, when scar tissue interferes with their electric signals, or the nerves burst. These injuries can cause shoulder pain, stingers, numbness, 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 connected, such as a fracture that leads to damage to the nerves. If you’re currently suffering from shoulder pain, one of our no-risk, free injury screenings in Jefferson Barracks, MO may help determine the root of it. If you’ve sustained a severe injury or have severe shoulder pain, a physician in Jefferson Barracks, MO may use a physical examination, an X-Ray, an MRI, a CT scan, arthrogram, and/or arthroscopy to discover the cause. Most people who experience shoulder pain can find relief with a customized treatment plan with licensed physical therapists that specialize in movement health in Jefferson Barracks, MO can be a great way to get you back to the things you love to do the most.

Treating Your Shoulder Pain in Jefferson Barracks, MO

Your customized and evidence-backed physical therapy may include any one or a variety of different treatment plans:

• 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 doctor, 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 physical activity or work while you are still recovering
• Blood flow restriction training to strengthen muscles while reducing overall stress on the shoulder
• Trigger point dry needling to target irritated muscles, ligaments, and tendons deeper in the body to encourage the body’s natural healing processes
• Posture correction to make sure 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 treatment methods to increase and maintain your mobility

Missouri Law requires a prescription for physical therapy, so you need to reach out to your Jefferson Barracks, MO doctor to see if physical therapy is rights for your shoulder pain. Our licensed physical and occupational therapists form a team with your primary care physician to make sure you are getting the care that is safe for your condition.

Other services we offer in Jefferson Barracks, 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

Jefferson Barracks, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

Optimal movement health is important to not only living our every day life, but to doing the things we love. At Axes, we focus on positive outcomes for our Jefferson Barracks, MO clients by creating evidence-backed treatment plans based on your injury, pain level, age, and how physically active you need to be. Do not wait to get back to the activities you love and a pain-free life. Request an appointment through our website or find our location most convenient for you.