Shoulder Pain in Leadwood, MO. If you live with shoulder pain, you know how debilitating it can be. It can make any basic task from brushing your teeth to serving an ace on the tennis court painful and, for certain people, not even an option. But you do not have to accept pain and limited shoulder movement. At Axes PT in Leadwood, MO, our licensed physical therapists create tailored treatment modalities, based on evidence, to get you back to optimal movement health. Let us help you make your shoulder pain an ancient memory. Schedule an appointment online or reach out to our location nearest you.

The Anatomy of the Shoulder | Shoulder Pain in Leadwood, 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. Given the relatively shallow socket, it allows for more movement than any other joint.
2. The acromioclavicular (AC) joint is formed by the junction of the collarbone the acromion, the part of the shoulder blade that is the highest part of the shoulder. A plane style synovial joint, it allows for additional rotation of the shoulder blade.
3. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a plane-style synovial joint located where the clavicle meets the sternum at the foundation 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 not a true anatomical joint as it does not have does not have union by fibrous, cartilaginous or synovial tissues. It is made up of the shoulder blade and its articulation with the ribcage.

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 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 a fluid-filled sac that surrounds and lubricates the shoulder
• the four shoulder ligaments which attach bones together and help reinforce the capsule
• 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 supply nutritious blood to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons

Being able to move your shoulder pain free depends on every part of the system functioning well. Sufficient blood must flow to the shoulder efficiently to 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 strong, flexible, and free of rips or tears, the ligaments connecting 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 can lead to a disruption of the entire system, and anywhere from nagging to debilitating shoulder pain or loss of function. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain or any other symptoms of a shoulder injury, reach out to 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 falls, a work injury from repeated activities to our bodies just getting weaker as we get older. The following are common causes of shoulder pain that our physical and occupations therapists see in Leadwood, MO:

• Bursitis — The bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that act as shock absorbers and reduce friction in joints. Bursitis the result of the bursae becoming swollen after repeated activities, often occurs in combination with inflammation of the rotator cuff, and can make daily activities like laying down for bed immensely painful.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis is typically caused by a tendon becoming irritated. It typically falls into one of two categories:
  • Acute: This can happen because of trauma, repeated throwing, or other overhead activities needed in some competitive and activities and occupations, such as swimming or lifting and lowering boxes.
  • Chronic: This can happen because of degenerative conditions or the body becoming weaker as we get older.

  Symptoms include smarting pain, tenderness, and slight swelling.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be caused by sudden trauma, such a blow to the shoulder, or wear and tear. They usually start with fraying and then tear. People often live with partial thickness tears unknowingly. Full-thickness tears, where the tendon is completely detached from the bone, often require surgery. 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 popping sensation when performing certain movements.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement occurs when your acromion (the bony tip of your shoulder blade) pinches the rotator cuff and bursae. It often occurs in combination with an injury that causes inflammation in the rotator cuff. Shoulder impingement occurs the most in people who play sports or are otherwise active.
• Shoulder Instability — This happens 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 supporting soft tissue of the shoulder. Chronic instability will cause shoulder pain and unsteadiness when performing certain motions.
• Arthritis — While arthritis refers to a range of diagnoses, the shoulder most typically suffers from osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bones. Common causes include old age, persistent injuries, and overuse. There is no cure for arthritis, but effective pain management is possible with Leadwood, MO physical and occupational therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The humerus, collarbone, and shoulder blade are the most commonly broken bones in the shoulder. They usually happen as the result of falling from a height or high-impact collisions such as being tackles in a football game. The shoulder pain is usually severe, and the shoulder will experience considerable inflammation and bruising.
• Axillary Nerve Injuries or Brachial Plexus Injuries — Nerve damage in the shoulder can occur when nerves are compressed, when scar tissue blocks their electric signals, or the nerves are otherwise damaged. These injuries can cause shoulder pain, stingers, numbness, and loss of feeling in your shoulder, arm, or hand. They are usually the result of sudden trauma but can also occur because of overuse.

Sometimes, injuries are connected, such as instability that leads to impingement. If you’re currently suffering from shoulder pain, one of our no-obligation, free injury screenings in Leadwood, MO may help determine the underlying cause. To diagnose shoulder pain a physician in Leadwood, 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 certified physical therapists that are experts in movement health in Leadwood, MO can be an effective way to get you back to a pain-free daily life and the active lifestyle you deserve.

Treating Your Shoulder Pain in Leadwood, MO

Your tailored and proven physical therapy treatment plan may include:

• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization to identify degenerative tissue, smooth out 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 go back to work while you are still recovering
• Blood flow restriction training to offer your shoulder a low-intensity exercise with high-intensity benefits
• Trigger point dry needling to target harder-to-reach irritated muscles, ligaments, and tendons 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 can keep participating in the activities you love
• Other safe, effective techniques to optimize your mobility

Missouri Revised Statute §334.506 dictates that you need a prescription to attend physical therapy appointments, so you need to reach out to your Leadwood, MO doctor to see if physical therapy is safe and an effective treatment option for your shoulder pain. Our professional physical and occupational therapists work alongside your primary care physician to ensure you are getting the care that fits into your overall treatment plan.

Other services we offer in Leadwood, 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

Leadwood, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

A healthy shoulder is imperative 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 Leadwood, MO clients 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 activities you love and a pain-free life. Make an appointment online or call the location nearest you.