Shoulder Pain in Kampville, MO. If you live with shoulder pain, you know the limitations it can place on your life. It makes everything from brushing your teeth to diving for a softball painful and, in some cases, not even an option. But pain and limited shoulder movement does not have to be a part of your everyday life. At Axes PT in Kampville, MO, our experienced physical therapists are experts at creating tailored treatment modalities, based on evidence, to get you back to striking out opponents, or just combing your hair pain-free. Allow us to turn your shoulder pain from a daily occurrence into a thing of the past. Request an appointment online or reach out to the location most convenient for you.
How Does the Shoulder Work? | Shoulder Pain in Kampville, MO
The shoulder is among human body’s largest and most intricate joints. In truth, what we call the shoulder joint is made up of four different joints:
- The glenohumeral (GH) joint is the joint responsible for connecting the upper extremity to the trunk. Given the relatively shallow socket, it is the most mobile joint in the body.
- The acromioclavicular (AC) joint is formed by the junction of the clavicle the acromion, the part of the scapula that is the highest part of the shoulder. A plane style synovial joint, it helps extend the upper extremity from the trunk.
- The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a gliding joint located where the clavicle meets the breastbone at the bottom of the neck. As the only joint that connects the arm to the body, it coordinates the movement of the upper limb with the core of your body.
- The scapulothoracic (ST) “joint” is more of a “floating” 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 that surround the head of the upper arm bone, which allow for movement movement and keep the head of the upper arm bone firmly within the shallow socket of the shoulder
- the shoulder capsule, a a fluid-filled sac that surrounds and lubricates the joints in the shoulder
- the four shoulder ligaments 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 arteries that supply nutrient-rich blood to the shoulder
In order for the shoulder to function properly the entire complex system must function well. Sufficient blood must reach to the shoulder efficiently to keep oxygen levels and muscles strong 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 intact and strong, the ligaments connecting bones need to help support proper structure, 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 breakdown of the entire network, 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 complimentary injury screening.

What Causes Shoulder Pain?
As the shoulder is complex, shoulder pain can have many root causes, from sports injuries to a car accident, a work injury from repeated activities to our bodies just getting weaker as we get older. Below are common causes of shoulder pain that our team see in Kampville, MO:
- Bursitis — The bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that act as shock absorbers and reduce friction in joints. Bursitis occurs when the bursae because irritated after repeated activities, often occurs in association with rotator cuff tendinitis, and can make daily tasks like laying down to go to sleep tremendously difficult.
- Tendinitis — Tendinitis is typically caused by inflammation or irritation of a tendon. There are two types of tendinitis:
- Acute: The result of trauma, excessive overhead motions, or other overhead activities needed in some competitive and activities and occupations, such as track and field throwing events or lifting and lowering boxes.
- Chronic: This can happen because of degenerative conditions 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 wear and tear. They begin with fraying and ultimately tear. A partial thickness tear often goes unnoticed. Full-thickness tears, where the tendon is no longer attached whatsoever to the bone, do not heal by themselves. Symptoms include pain with specific movements, pain when sleeping, and a popping feeling with certain movements.
- Shoulder Impingement — Impingement describes when your acromion (outer edge of your scapula) rubs against the rotator cuff and bursae. It often occurs in tandem with an injury that causes inflammation in the rotator cuff. Shoulder impingement is most common in people who are physically active.
- Shoulder Instability — This occurs 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 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 cause shoulder pain and unsteadiness when performing certain motions.
- Arthritis — While arthritis refers to a range of diagnoses, osteoarthritis is the form that typically affects the shoulder. It occurs when the cartilage cushioning the ends of your bones weakens and wears away. Common causes include old age, persistent injuries, and wear and tear. Arthritis cannot be cured, but you can find effective pain management techniques with Kampville, MO physical and occupational therapists.
- Shoulder Fractures — The upper arm bone, clavicle, and scapula are the most commonly broken bones in the shoulder. They are often the result of falling from a height or high-energy collisions such as a car accident. The shoulder pain is immediate and obvious, and the shoulder will experience considerable 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 their electric signals, or the nerves rupture. These injuries can cause shoulder pain along with a range of other sensations. They are commonly caused by high-impact trauma but can also happen because of overuse.
At times, one injury leads to another, such as how an untreated rotator cuff tear can lead to arthritis. If you’re currently suffering from shoulder pain, one of our no-obligation, free injury screenings in Kampville, MO may help determine why you’re experiencing the pain. To diagnose shoulder pain a physician in Kampville, MO may use a physical examination, an X-Ray, an MRI, a CT scan, arthrogram, and/or arthroscopy. For most injuries or conditions that cause shoulder pain, a customized treatment plan with experienced physical therapists that specialize in movement health in Kampville, MO can be an effective way to return to the things you love to do the most.
How Do Kampville, MO Physical Therapists Treat Shoulder Pain?
Your personalized and evidence-backed physical therapy treatments may include:
- Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization to identify soft tissue restrictions, smooth out scar tissue, and treat the affected area
- 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 reduce pain and inflammation and allow you to participate in physical activity or go back to 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 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 do not heal correctly
- Injury prevention so you can keep participating in the activities you love
- Other safe, effective exercises to optimize your mobility
Missouri Law stipulates that you need a prescription for physical therapy, so you need to reach out to your Kampville, MO primary care physician to see if physical therapy is safe and an effective treatment option for your shoulder pain. Our experienced physical and occupational therapists work alongside your primary care physician to make sure your treatment plan fits into your overall treatment plan.
Other services we offer in Kampville, 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

Kampville, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy
Optimal movement health is essential to not only living our every day life, but to keeping up the active lifestyles we desire. At Axes, we focus on patient results for Kampville, MO people of all ages by developing proven treatment plans catered to your injury, pain level, age, and the activities you want to get back to. 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 call our location most convenient for you.












