Shoulder Pain in Liguori, MO. If you live with shoulder pain, you know how debilitating it can be. It can make everything from brushing your teeth to playing volleyball painful and, sometimes, not even an option. But pain and limited shoulder movement does not have to be a part of your everyday life. At Axes PT in Liguori, MO, our professional physical therapists specialize in tailored treatment modalities, based on evidence, to get you back to striking out opponents, or just combing your hair pain-free. Trust in us to turn your shoulder pain from a daily occurrence into a thing of the past. Schedule an appointment through our website or call our location nearest you.

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

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

1. The glenohumeral (GH) joint is the joint where the humerus (upper arm bone) fits into the socket of the glenoid. Given the relatively shallow dish, it has the widest range of motion as any other human joint.
2. The acromioclavicular (AC) joint is formed by the junction of the clavicle the acromion, the part of the scapula that is the highest part of the shoulder. A plane joint, it allows for additional rotation of the shoulder blade.
3. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a plane-style synovial joint located where the collarbone meets the breastbone 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 ligaments connecting it to bone. It attaches and allows movement between the shoulder blade and the part of rib cage at the back of our bodies.

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 are responsible for movement and keep the head of the humerus firmly within the shallow socket of the shoulder
• the shoulder capsule, a soft tissue sac that surrounds and protects the joints in 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 the brain to tell the shoulder and arm to move and the shoulder to tell the brain when it feels pain or other sensory information
• the arteries that pump much-needed blood to the shoulder

In order for the shoulder to function properly every joint, ligament, tendon, muscle, artery, capsule, and nerve must function well. Blood must flow freely to the shoulder maintain healthy soft tissue and stimulate the body’s natural healing processes. The muscles must have adequate strength and flexibility, the tendons attaching bone and muscle 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 can lead to a breakdown of the whole system, and anywhere from nagging to severe 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 Causes 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 overuse to our bodies just getting weaker as we get older. Below are the most common underlying conditions that lead to shoulder pain in Liguori, MO:

• Bursitis — The bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that work as a cushion and gliding surface between muscles, bones, tendons, and skin. Bursitis the result of the bursae becoming swollen after overuse, often occurs in combination with irritation of the rotator cuff, and can make daily activities like carrying groceries immensely difficult.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis is typically caused by a tendon becoming irritated. It typically falls into one of two categories:
  • Acute: This can happen because of a sudden blow, repeated overhead motions, or other overhead activities needed in some competitive and activities and occupations, such as track and field throwing events or lifting and lowering boxes.
  • 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 acute, like a blow to the shoulder, or repetitive movements or old age. The tendon is initially frayed before becoming torn. A partial tear often goes unnoticed. Complete tears, which pull the tendon off the bone, often require surgery. Symptoms include having difficulty raising your arm or lifting things you normally can, pain when sleeping, and a clicking sensation when performing certain movements.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement is the result of the rotator cuff and bursae rubbing against your shoulder blade. It is often the result of rotator cuff swellings because of an injury. Shoulder impingement is most common in people who are physically active.
• Shoulder Instability — This happens when the humerus is allowed to move out of the socket when the capsule or ligaments become stretched, torn, or detached, and also can be the result of injury or overuse. 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 cause shoulder pain and a sense of the shoulder “giving way.”
• Arthritis — While there are at least six kinds of arthritis, the shoulder most typically suffers from osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bones. Common causes include tissue weakening as we become older, persistent trauma, and wear and tear. There is no cure for arthritis, but effective pain management can be found with Liguori, MO physical therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The upper arm bone, collarbone, and scapula are the most commonly broken bones in the shoulder. They usually happen as the result of falling from a height or high-energy collisions such as a car accident. The shoulder pain is usually intense, along with substantial inflammation and contusions.
• Axillary Nerve Injuries or Brachial Plexus Injuries — Nerve damage in the shoulder can occur when nerves are compressed, when scar tissue interferes with communication between the brain and shoulder, 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 occur because of degenerative conditions.

Sometimes, injuries are connected, for example instability that leads to impingement. If you’re currently suffering from shoulder pain, one of our no-risk, free injury screenings in Liguori, MO may help you discover the underlying cause. If you’ve sustained a severe injury or have severe shoulder pain, a physician in Liguori, MO may use a physical examination, an X-Ray, an MRI, a CT scan, arthrogram, and/or arthroscopy to discover the cause. Most people who experience shoulder pain can experience relief with a customized treatment plan with certified physical therapists and movement health specialists in Liguori, MO can be a great way to return to the things you love to do the most.

Treating Your Shoulder Pain in Liguori, MO

Your personalized and proven physical therapy treatment plan may include:

• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization to detect and treat any soft tissue disorders
• 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 improve strength while reducing overall stress on the shoulder
• Trigger point dry needling to target irritated soft tissue 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 treatment methods to increase and maintain your mobility

Missouri Revised Statute §334.506 stipulates that you need a prescription to attend physical therapy appointments, so you need to reach out to your Liguori, MO doctor to see if physical therapy is rights for your shoulder pain. Our knowledgeable physical and occupational therapists work alongside your primary care physician to ensure your treatment plan is safe for your condition.

Other services we offer in Liguori, MO include:

• Stroke Rehabilitation
• Hip Replacement Physical Therapy
• Workers Comp' Physical Therapy
• Migraine Relief
• Sprain and Strain Treatment
• Geriatric Physical Therapy
• Injury Rehabilitation
• Pain Management Services
• TMJ Treatment
• Herniated Disc Treatment

Liguori, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

Optimal movement health is imperative to not only carrying out daily tasks with ease, but to doing the things we love. At Axes, we focus on patient results for our Liguori, MO clients by implementing proven treatment plans based on your injury, pain level, age, and the activities you want to get back to. Do not wait to get back to the activities you love and a pain-free life. Make an appointment through our website or reach out to our location most convenient for you.