Shoulder Pain in Liguori, MO. Those who suffer from shoulder pain know how hard it can be to manage. It can make any basic task from brushing your teeth to making a breakaway layup frustrating and, for some of us, unfeasible. But you do not need to live the rest of your life with pain and limited shoulder movement. At Axes Physical Therapy in Liguori, MO, our professional physical therapists specialize in personalized treatment plans, proven to work through research, to get you back to optimal movement health. Allow us to turn your shoulder pain from a daily occurrence into a thing of the past. Request an appointment online or call the location nearest you.

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

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

1. The glenohumeral (GH) joint is a ball and socket joint responsible for connecting the upper extremity to the trunk. Given the relatively shallow 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 clavicle the acromion, the bony tip on the outer edge of the scapula. A gliding joint, it allows you to outstretch your arm.
3. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a gliding joint formed by the collarbone the sternum at the base of the neck. As the only joint that connects the arm to the torso, it coordinates 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 does not have union by fibrous, cartilaginous or synovial tissues. It attaches and allows movement between the shoulder blade and the part of rib cage at the back of our bodies.

In addition to those four joints, the shoulder consists of:

• the four muscles of the rotator cup that surround the head of the humerus, which are responsible for movement and stabilize and protect the glenohumeral joint
• the shoulder capsule, a tough sheath or membrane that surrounds and protects the shoulder
• the four shoulder ligaments which attach bones together and help reinforce the capsule
• the biceps tendon and rotator cuff tendons 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 supply nutritious blood to the shoulder

Proper shoulder strength, flexibility, and movement depends on every part of the system functioning well. Blood must flow freely to the shoulder keep oxygen levels and muscles strong and stimulate the body’s natural recovery processes. The muscles strong enough to move and flexible enough to safely make those movements, the tendons connecting them to the bones must be intact and strong, 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 one of the parts of the shoulder is damaged, inflamed, or otherwise irritated, it can lead to a breakdown of the entire system, 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 complimentary 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 a car accident, a work injury from overuse to old age. Below are common causes of shoulder pain that our physical and occupations therapists see in Liguori, MO:

• Bursitis — The bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that act as shock absorbers and reduce friction in joints. Bursitis occurs when the bursae because inflamed after repeated activities, often occurs at the same time as rotator cuff tendinitis, and can make daily activities like brushing your teeth incredibly painful.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis is typically caused by a tendon becoming irritated. There are two causes of tendinitis:
  • Acute: This can happen because of trauma, excessive throwing, or other overhead activities common in some sports and fields of employment, such as volleyball or lifting and lowering boxes.
  • Chronic: The result of wear and tear or general weakness as we get weaker.

  Symptoms include smarting pain, throbbing, and mild swelling.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be caused by acute injuries, like falling on an outstretched arm, or repetitive movements or old age. The tendon is initially frayed before becoming torn. A partial thickness tear often goes unnoticed. Full-thickness tears, which go all the way through the tendon, do not heal by themselves. Symptoms include pain when performing certain motions, pain when lying on the side of the affected shoulder, and a popping feeling with specific movements.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement is the result of the rotator cuff and bursae rubbing against your shoulder blade. It often occurs alongside 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 occurs when the head of the humerus is allowed to move out of the socket when the capsule or ligaments become stretched, torn, or detached, and also can happen suddenly or from 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 is accompanied by injury to the supporting soft tissue of the shoulder. Long-term instability will cause shoulder pain and a sense of the shoulder “giving way.”
• Arthritis — While there are at least six kinds of arthritis, osteoarthritis is the form that typically affects the shoulder. It occurs when the cartilage that acts as a shock absorber between your bones weakens and wears away. It can be the result of old age, frequent trauma, and wear and tear. There is no cure for arthritis, but effective pain management is possible with Liguori, MO physical therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The humerus, clavicle, and shoulder blade are the bones in the shoulder most susceptible to breaking. They are often the result of falling a significant distance or onto a hard surface or high-energy collisions such as a car accident. The shoulder pain is usually intense, and the shoulder will experience considerable swelling and contusions.
• Axillary Nerve Injuries or Brachial Plexus Injuries — Nerve damage in the shoulder can occur 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 usually the result of a sudden blow but can also occur because of overuse.

Sometimes, injuries are intertwined, for example a dislocation that leads to damage to the nerves. If you’re currently suffering from shoulder pain, one of our no-risk, free injury screenings in Liguori, MO may help determine 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 professional physical therapists and movement health specialists in Liguori, MO can be a great way to return to optimal movement health.

Treating Your Shoulder Pain in Liguori, MO

Your personalized and evidence-backed physical therapy may include any one or a variety of different treatment plans:

• 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 you need surgery to relieve your shoulder pain
• Kinesio Taping® to reduce pain and inflammation and allow you to participate in sports or go back to work while your body heals
• Blood flow restriction training to offer your shoulder a low-intensity exercise with high-intensity results
• Trigger point dry needling to target harder-to-reach irritated soft tissue to stimulate blood flow
• Posture correction to ensure you are not inadvertently causing your shoulder pain or do not heal correctly
• Injury prevention so you do not lose your active lifestyle in the future
• Other safe, effective exercises to optimize your mobility

Missouri Revised Statute §334.506 requires a prescription to attend physical therapy appointments, so it’s necessary to speak to your Liguori, MO physician to see if physical therapy is safe and an effective treatment option for your shoulder pain. Our knowledgeable physical and occupational therapists are responsible and work closely with your primary care physician to make sure your treatment plan is safe for your condition.

Liguori, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

Optimal movement health 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 Liguori, MO people of all ages by creating proven treatment plans based on 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. Schedule an appointment online or call our location most convenient for you.