Shoulder Pain in Labadie, MO. If you live with shoulder pain, you know how hard it can be to manage. It can make everything from strapping on a seatbelt to playing volleyball frustrating and, in some cases, unfeasible. But pain and limited shoulder movement is usually manageable and beatable with safe and effective treatment. At Axes PT in Labadie, MO, our licensed physical therapists are experts at developing tailored treatment plans, proven to work through research, to get you back to the activities you love most. Let us help you turn your shoulder pain from a daily occurrence into a thing of the past. Request an appointment through our website or find the location most convenient for you.

The Human Shoulder | Shoulder Pain in Labadie, MO

The shoulder is among the largest and most intricate joints we have. In reality, it is a compound of four joints:

1. The glenohumeral (GH) joint is a ball and socket joint responsible for connecting the upper extremity to the trunk. As the ball is 3-4 times larger than the socket, it has the widest range of motion as any other human joint.
2. The acromioclavicular (AC) joint is formed by the junction of the collarbone the acromion, the bony tip on the outer edge of the shoulder blade. A plane 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 breastbone at the base of the neck. This joint is where the arm and body meet, it coordinates 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 thoracic cage.

In order to support those four joints, the shoulder is made up of:

• the four muscles of the rotator cup that surround the head of the upper arm bone, which power 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 a wide range of movements
• the tendons in the biceps and shoulder which affix muscle to bone
• the brachial plexus nerves that allow for the brain and muscles to communicate with each other
• the arteries that pump nutrient-rich blood to the shoulder

In order for the shoulder to function properly the entire complex system must function well. Sufficient blood must flow to the shoulder efficiently to 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 connecting bones need to help support proper structure, and the nerves need to have a strong and secure connection to the brain. When any of these parts are not at optimal health, it often causes shoulder pain and movement problems. If if shoulder pain or poor shoulder movement is part of your daily life, contact Axes’ physical therapists for a complimentary injury screening.

What’s Behind My Shoulder Pain?

Shoulder pain can be caused by a variety of circumstances, 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 physical and occupations therapists see in Labadie, MO:

• Bursitis — The bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that work as a cushion and gliding surface between tissues. Bursitis occurs when the bursae because inflamed after repeated activities, often occurs in combination with shoulder impingement, and can make daily tasks like carrying groceries exceedingly difficult.
• 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 swimming or lifting and lowering objects.
  • Chronic: This can happen because of wear and tear or general weakness as we age.

  Symptoms include smarting pain, throbbing, and mild swelling.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be caused by sudden trauma, like lifting an incredibly heavy object, or wear and tear. They usually start with fraying and then tear. People often live with partial tears unknowingly. Complete tears, where the tendon is no longer attached whatsoever to the bone, do not heal by themselves. Symptoms include 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 movements.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement is the result of soft tissue 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 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 happens in combination with injury to the surrounding areas of the shoulder. Chronic instability will result in shoulder pain and a sense of the shoulder “giving way.”
• Arthritis — While there are at least six types of arthritis, the shoulder most typically experiences osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bones. Common causes include old age, repeated injuries, and overuse. There is no cure for arthritis, but you can find effective pain management methods with Labadie, MO physical therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The humerus, clavicle, and shoulder blade are the most commonly broken bones in the shoulder. They are often the result of falling from a height or forceful collisions such as a car accident. The shoulder pain is immediate and obvious, and the shoulder will experience substantial swelling and contusions.
• Axillary Nerve Injuries or Brachial Plexus Injuries — Nerve damage in the shoulder is the result of when nerves are stretched, when scar tissue blocks their electric signals, 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 a sudden blow but can also happen because of overuse.

At times, one injury leads to another, 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 Labadie, MO may help determine the underlying cause. If you’ve sustained a severe injury or have severe shoulder pain, a physician in Labadie, MO may use a physical examination, various imaging techniques, and/or arthroscopy to discover the cause. For most injuries or conditions that cause shoulder pain, a personalized treatment plan with professional physical therapists and movement health specialists in Labadie, MO can be a successful way to get you back to optimal movement health.

Treating Your Shoulder Pain in Labadie, MO

Your tailored 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, smooth out scar tissue, and treat the affected area
• Pre- and post-surgical rehabilitation, coordinated together with your doctor, if your shoulder pain was caused by an injury that needed surgery to correct
• Kinesio Taping® to reduce pain and inflammation and allow you to participate in physical activity 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 attack damaged muscles, ligaments, and tendons deeper in the body to stimulate blood flow
• Posture correction to make sure you do not contribute to your injuries or heal improperly
• Injury prevention so you do not lose your active lifestyle in the future
• Other safe, effective exercises to increase and maintain your mobility

Missouri Law stipulates that you need a prescription for physical therapy, so it’s necessary to speak to your Labadie, MO primary care physician to see if physical therapy is rights for your shoulder pain. Our licensed 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 Labadie, MO include:

• Neck Pain Treatment
• 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

Labadie, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

A healthy shoulder is important 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 Labadie, MO people of all ages by creating proven treatment plans based on your injury, pain level, age, and desired activity level. Do not wait to get back to the things you love doing most and a pain-free life. Request an appointment through our website or call the location most convenient for you.