Shoulder Pain in Leslie, MO. If you live with shoulder pain, you know how debilitating it can be. It can make everything from brushing your teeth to serving an ace on the tennis court painful and, in some cases, impossible. But pain and limited shoulder movement does not have to be a part of your everyday life. At Axes Physical Therapy in Leslie, MO, our licensed physical therapists are experts at creating personalized treatment plans, based on evidence, to get you back to optimal movement health. Let us help you make your shoulder pain an ancient memory. Make an appointment online or reach out to our location nearest you.

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

The shoulder is among human body’s largest and most complex joints. In actuality, it is a complex of four 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 dish, 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 gliding joint, it allows for additional rotation of the shoulder blade.
3. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a gliding joint located where the collarbone meets the breastbone at the base of the neck. As the only joint that connects the arm to the body, it links 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 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 covering the head of the humerus, which are responsible for movement and keep the ball of the upper arm bone slipping out of the socket
• the shoulder capsule, a a fluid-filled sac that surrounds and lubricates the shoulder
• the four shoulder ligaments which attach bones together and provide stability for the capsule
• 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 blood vessels that supply much-needed blood to the shoulder

In order for the shoulder to function properly the entire complex system must be able to work together. Sufficient blood must flow to the shoulder efficiently to maintain healthy soft tissue and stimulate the body’s natural recovery processes. The muscles must have adequate strength and flexibility, the tendons attaching bone and muscle must be intact and strong, the ligaments connecting bones need to be similarly healthy, 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 disruption of the entire complex, and anywhere from nagging to severe shoulder pain or loss of function. If if shoulder pain or poor shoulder movement is part of your daily life, 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 many root causes, from sports injuries to a car accident, a work injury from repeated activities to old age. Below are the most common underlying conditions that lead to shoulder pain in Leslie, MO:

• Bursitis — The bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that cushion bones, tendons, and muscles in and around your joints. Bursitis occurs when the bursae because inflamed after repeated activities, often occurs in association with irritation of the rotator cuff, and can make daily tasks like carrying groceries immensely difficult.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis is typically caused by inflammation or irritation of a tendon. It typically falls into one of two categories:
  • Acute: The result of a sudden blow, excessive overhead motions, or other overhead activities common in some sports and fields of employment, such as volleyball or lifting and lowering boxes.
  • Chronic: This can happen because 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 acute, like falling on an outstretched arm, or more chronic in nature. They usually start with fraying and then tear. People often live with partial tears obliviously. Full-thickness tears, which go all the way through the tendon, do not heal by themselves. Associated symptoms are pain when performing specific motions, pain when lying on the side of the affected shoulder, and a cracking feeling when performing certain movements.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement occurs when your acromion (the bony tip of your shoulder blade) 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 humerus is forced out of the shoulder socket, and also can happen suddenly or from 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 commonly suffers from osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bones. It can be the result of tissue weakening as we become older, persistent trauma, and overuse. There is no cure for arthritis, but you can find effective pain management techniques with Leslie, MO physical therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The humerus, clavicle, and scapula are the bones in the shoulder most susceptible to breaking. 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 usually severe, along with considerable inflammation and contusions.
• Axillary Nerve Injuries or Brachial Plexus Injuries — Nerve damage in the shoulder is the result of when nerves are compressed, when scar tissue interferes with their electric signals, or the nerves are otherwise damaged. Axillary nerve and brachial plexus 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 degenerative conditions.

At times, one injury leads to another, such as instability that leads to impingement. If you’re currently suffering from shoulder pain, one of our no-obligation, free injury screenings in Leslie, MO may help you discover the underlying cause. If you’ve sustained a severe injury or have severe shoulder pain, a physician in Leslie, 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 tailored treatment plan with experienced physical therapists and movement health specialists in Leslie, MO can be a successful way to return to the things you love to do the most.

How Do Leslie, MO Physical Therapists Treat Shoulder Pain?

Your tailored and proven physical therapy treatments may include:

• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization to detect and treat any soft tissue disorders
• Pre- and post-surgical rehabilitation, coordinated together with your physician, if you need surgery to relieve your shoulder pain
• Kinesio Taping® to reduce pain and inflammation and keep you safe as you participate in physical activity or work while you are still recovering
• Blood flow restriction training to improve strength while reducing overall stress on the shoulder
• 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 do not heal correctly
• 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 it’s important to speak to your Leslie, MO doctor to see if physical therapy is safe and an effective treatment option for your shoulder pain. Our licensed physical and occupational therapists are responsible and work closely with your primary care physician to ensure you are getting the care that is safe for your condition.

Other services we offer in Leslie, MO include:

• Back Pain Treatment
• 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

Leslie, 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 our Leslie, MO clients by creating proven 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. Make an appointment online or call our location most convenient for you.