Shoulder Pain in Kimmswick, MO. Those who experience shoulder pain know how debilitating it can be. It can make any basic task from strapping on a seatbelt to serving an ace on the tennis court painful and, for some of us, unfeasible. But you do not need to live the rest of your life with pain and limited shoulder movement. At Axes PT in Kimmswick, MO, our licensed physical therapists create personalized treatment plans, based on evidence, to get you back to striking out opponents, or just combing your hair pain-free. Allow us to safely and effectively treat your shoulder pain. Make an appointment through our website or find the location nearest you.

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

The shoulder is one of the human body’s largest and most complex joints. In truth, it is a complex of four joints:

1. The glenohumeral (GH) joint is the joint where the humerus (upper arm bone) fits into a relatively small dish called the glenoid. Given the relatively shallow socket, it allows for more movement than any other joint.
2. The acromioclavicular (AC) joint connects the collarbone to the acromion, the bony tip on the outer edge of the scapula. 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 gliding joint located where the clavicle meets the sternum at the base of the neck. As the only joint that connects the arm to the body, it it ensures your arm and body act in coordination.
4. The scapulothoracic (ST) “joint” is not a true anatomical joint as it does not have typical joint characteristics. It attaches and allows movement between the shoulder blade and the thoracic cage.

In order to support those four joints, the shoulder consists of:

• the four muscles of the rotator cup covering the head of the humerus, which are responsible for movement and stabilize the ball of the humerus within the shoulder socket
• the shoulder capsule, a tough sheath or membrane that encloses the shoulder
• the ligaments of the shoulder which provide passive stability while still allowing for movements in different planes
• 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 blood vessels that pump much-needed blood to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons

In order for the shoulder to function properly the entire complex system must be able to work together. Blood must flow freely to the shoulder keep oxygen levels and muscles strong and stimulate the body’s natural recovery processes. The muscles must have adequate strength and flexibility, the tendons connecting them to the bones must be intact and strong, the ligaments that attach our bones need to be similarly healthy, and the brain and shoulder need to have clear communication with each other. 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, contact Axes’ physical therapists for a free injury screening.

What Causes Shoulder Pain?

Shoulder pain can be caused by a variety of 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 Kimmswick, 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 the result of the bursae becoming irritated after repeated activities, often occurs in association with rotator cuff tendinitis, and can make daily tasks 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 trauma, repeated throwing, or other overhead activities common in some competitive and activities and fields of employment, such as track and field throwing events or moving objects above your head.
  • Chronic: The result of degenerative conditions 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 caused by sudden trauma, such a blow to the shoulder, or more chronic in nature. They begin with fraying and ultimately tear. People often live with partial tears obliviously. Complete tears, where the tendon is completely detached from the bone, often require surgery. Associated symptoms are pain when performing specific movements, pain when lying on the side of the affected shoulder, and a clicking feeling with specific movements.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement describes when your acromion (the bony tip of your shoulder blade) pinches the rotator cuff and bursae. It is often the result of rotator cuff swellings because of an injury. Shoulder impingement occurs the most in people who play sports or are otherwise active.
• Shoulder Instability — This occurs when the humerus is exits the shoulder socket, and also can happen suddenly or from 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. Chronic instability will result in shoulder pain and unsteadiness when performing certain motions.
• Arthritis — While there are many kinds of arthritis, osteoarthritis is the form that typically affects the shoulder. Osteoarthritis is the degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bones. Common causes include old age, repeated injuries, and wear and tear. There is no cure for arthritis, but you can find effective pain management techniques with Kimmswick, MO physical therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The upper arm bone, clavicle, and shoulder blade are the bones in the shoulder most vulnerable 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 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 compressed, when scar tissue interferes with their electric signals, or the nerves burst. Axillary nerve and brachial plexus injuries can cause shoulder pain along with a range of other sensations. They are commonly caused by sudden trauma but can also occur because of overuse.

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 Kimmswick, MO may help you discover the underlying cause. To diagnose shoulder pain a physician in Kimmswick, MO may use a physical examination, various imaging techniques, and/or arthroscopy. Most people who experience shoulder pain can experience relief with a customized treatment plan with experienced physical therapists that specialize in movement health in Kimmswick, MO can be an effective way to get you back to the activities you love.

Treating Your Shoulder Pain in Kimmswick, MO

Your tailored and proven physical therapy treatments may include:

• 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 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 sports or work while your body heals
• Blood flow restriction training to strengthen muscles while reducing overall stress on the shoulder
• Trigger point dry needling to target harder-to-reach irritated muscles, ligaments, and tendons to stimulate blood flow
• Posture correction to make sure you are not inadvertently causing your shoulder pain or do not heal correctly
• Injury prevention so you do not lose your active lifestyle in the future
• Other safe, effective exercises to optimize your mobility

Missouri Law requires a prescription for physical therapy, so you need to reach out to your Kimmswick, MO doctor to see if physical therapy is rights for your shoulder pain. Our knowledgeable 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 Kimmswick, 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

Kimmswick, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

Optimal movement health is imperative to not only carrying out daily tasks with ease, but to keeping up the active lifestyles we desire. At Axes, we focus on positive outcomes for Kimmswick, MO people of all ages by developing evidence-backed treatment plans catered to your injury, pain level, age, and the activities you want to get back to. Do not wait to get back to the things you love doing most and a pain-free life. Schedule an appointment through our website or reach out to the location nearest you.