Shoulder Pain in Kinloch, MO. Those who experience shoulder pain know how debilitating it can be. It makes everything from driving to playing volleyball frustrating and, sometimes, unfeasible. But you do not need to live the rest of your life with pain and limited shoulder movement. At Axes Physical Therapy in Kinloch, MO, our experienced physical therapists specialize in personalized treatment plans, based on evidence, to get you back to striking out opponents, or just combing your hair pain-free. Let us help you make your shoulder pain a long-forgotten memory. Schedule an appointment online or reach out to the location most convenient for you.

How Does the Shoulder Work? | Shoulder Pain in Kinloch, MO

The shoulder is among the largest and most complex joints we have. In actuality, what we call the shoulder joint is made up of four different joints:

1. The glenohumeral (GH) joint is a ball and socket joint responsible for connecting the upper extremity to the trunk. Because the the top of the humerus is 3-4 times larger than the socket, it allows for more movement than any other 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 joint, it helps extend the upper extremity from the trunk.
3. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a gliding joint located where the clavicle meets the sternum at the bottom of the neck. As the only joint that connects the arm to the torso, it connects the movement of the upper limb with the core of your body.
4. The scapulothoracic (ST) “joint” is more of a “floating” joint as it does not have typical joint characteristics. It is made up of the scapula and its articulation with the ribcage.

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

• the four muscles of the rotator cup that surround the head of the upper arm bone, which allow for movement movement and stabilize the ball of the humerus within the shoulder socket
• the shoulder capsule, a a fluid-filled sac that surrounds and lubricates the shoulder
• the ligaments of the shoulder which provide passive stability while still allowing for movements in different planes
• the tendons in the biceps and shoulder which connect muscle to bone
• 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 muscles, ligaments, and tendons

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 keep oxygen levels and muscles strong and repair minor damage. The muscles must have adequate strength and flexibility, the tendons connecting them to the bones must be strong, flexible, and free of rips or tears, the ligaments that attach our bones need to be similarly healthy, 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’s Behind My Shoulder Pain?

As the shoulder is complex, shoulder pain can have any of a number of root causes, from sports injuries to falls, a work injury from overuse to old age. The following are common causes of shoulder pain that our physical and occupations therapists see in Kinloch, 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 combination with rotator cuff tendinitis, and can make basic tasks like laying down to go to sleep incredibly difficult.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis generally occurs because of inflammation or irritation of a tendon. 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 volleyball or lifting and lowering objects.
  • Chronic: This can happen because of wear and tear or general weakness 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 repetitive movements or old age. They begin with fraying and ultimately tear. A partial tear often goes unnoticed. Complete tears, which pull the tendon off the bone, often require surgery. 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 sensation with certain motions.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement describes when your acromion (the bony tip of your shoulder blade) pinches the rotator cuff and bursae. It often occurs alongside an injury that causes inflammation in the rotator cuff. Shoulder impingement is most common in people who play sports or are otherwise active.
• 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. Dislocations can be repeated and partial or the entire bone coming out of the socket. It often is accompanied by injury to the supporting soft tissue of the shoulder. Chronic instability will cause shoulder pain and unsteadiness when performing certain motions.
• Arthritis — While there are many types 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 tissue weakening as we become older, repeated trauma, and overuse. Arthritis cannot be cured, but you can find effective pain management methods with Kinloch, MO physical therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The humerus, collarbone, and scapula are the bones in the shoulder most susceptible to fracture. They usually happen as the result of falling a significant distance or onto a hard surface or high-impact collisions such as a car accident. The shoulder pain is immediate and obvious, along with considerable inflammation and bruising.
• Axillary Nerve Injuries or Brachial Plexus Injuries — Nerve damage in the shoulder is the result of when nerves are impinged on, when scar tissue interferes with signals between the brain and shoulder, or the nerves are torn into two pieces. 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 degenerative conditions.

Sometimes, injuries are connected, such as an impingement causing damage to the nerves. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain, one of our no-obligation, free injury screenings in Kinloch, MO may help determine why you’re experiencing the pain. To diagnose shoulder pain a physician in Kinloch, MO may use a physical examination, various imaging techniques, and/or arthroscopy. For most injuries or conditions that cause shoulder pain, a personalized treatment plan with licensed physical therapists and movement health specialists in Kinloch, MO can be a great way to get you back to optimal movement health.

How Do Kinloch, MO Physical Therapists Treat Shoulder Pain?

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

• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization to identify degenerative tissue, break down scar tissue, and treat the affected area
• Pre- and post-surgical rehabilitation, coordinated together with 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 keep you safe as you participate in physical activity or work while you are still recovering
• 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 irritated soft tissue to encourage the body’s natural healing processes
• Posture correction to ensure you are not inadvertently causing your shoulder pain or heal improperly
• Injury prevention so you and your shoulder and stay healthy and active
• Other safe, effective techniques to increase and maintain your mobility

Missouri Revised Statute §334.506 requires a prescription for physical therapy, so you need to reach out to your Kinloch, MO doctor to see if physical therapy is rights for your shoulder pain. Our experienced 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 Kinloch, MO include:

• Dry Needling Near Me
• Tendonitis Treatment
• Manual Physical Therapy
• Orthopedic Rehab Near Me
• Beginner Running Program
• Chronic Pain Treatment
• Spine Specialist Near Me
• MCL Injury
• Injury Prevention

Kinloch, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

Optimal movement health is important 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 our Kinloch, MO clients by creating evidence-backed treatment plans catered to 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 reach out to our location nearest you.