Shoulder Pain in Manchester, MO. Those who experience shoulder pain know how hard it can be to manage. It can make everything from brushing your teeth to playing volleyball painful and, in some cases, unfeasible. But pain and limited shoulder movement does not have to be a part of your everyday life. At Axes Physical Therapy in Manchester, MO, our experienced physical therapists create personalized treatment modalities, based on evidence, to get you back to optimal movement health. Let us help you turn your shoulder pain from a daily occurrence into a thing of the past. Make an appointment through our website or call the location most convenient for you.

The Human Shoulder | Shoulder Pain in Manchester, 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 responsible for connecting the upper extremity to the trunk. Given the relatively shallow dish, it is the most mobile joint in the body.
2. The acromioclavicular (AC) joint is formed by the junction of the clavicle the acromion, the part of the shoulder blade that is the highest part of the shoulder. A plane style synovial joint, it helps extend the upper extremity from the trunk.
3. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a plane-style synovial joint formed by the clavicle the sternum at the bottom of the neck. This joint is where the arm and torso meet, it it ensures your arm and body move in coordination.
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 is made up of the scapula and its articulation with the ribcage.

The shoulder is supported and surrounded by:

• 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 upper arm bone firmly within the shallow socket of the shoulder
• the shoulder capsule, a tough sheath or membrane that encloses the shoulder
• the four shoulder ligaments which provide passive stability while still allowing for a wide range of movements
• the biceps tendon and rotator cuff tendons 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 blood vessels that pump nutrient-rich blood to the shoulder

In order for the shoulder to function properly the entire complex system must be able to work together. Blood must be allowed to reach the shoulder keep oxygen levels and muscles strong and repair minor damage. The muscles strong enough to move and flexible enough to safely make those movements, the tendons attaching bone and muscle must be intact and strong, the ligaments that attach our bones need to be similarly healthy, and messages most be able to be sent and received between the brain and shoulder. When any of these functions are not being carried out in a healthy way, 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 free injury screening.

What Causes Shoulder Pain?

Shoulder pain can be caused by numerous different circumstances, from sports injuries to a car accident, a work injury from repeated activities to old age. Below are common causes of shoulder pain that our physical and occupations therapists see in Manchester, 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 inflammation of the rotator cuff, and can make daily tasks like getting in and out of cars incredibly 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 a sudden blow, repeated throwing, or other overhead activities common in some sports and fields of employment, such as track and field throwing events or lifting and lowering objects.
  • Chronic: The result of wear and tear or the body becoming weaker as we age.

  The condition causes pain and tenderness just outside the joint.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be caused by sudden trauma, such lifting an incredibly heavy object, or repetitive movements or old age. They usually start with fraying and then tear. People often live with partial tears unknowingly. Complete tears, which go all the way through the tendon, often require surgery. Common symptoms are 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 motions.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement describes when your acromion (the bony tip of your scapula) pinches the rotator cuff and bursae. It often occurs alongside an injury that causes inflammation in the rotator cuff. Shoulder impingement is rarely caused by overuse, but rather by physical activity.
• Shoulder Instability — This happens when the humerus is allowed to move out of the socket when the capsule or ligaments become damaged, and also can happen suddenly or from overuse. Dislocations can be repeated and partial or the entire bone coming out of the socket. It often is accompanied by injury to the surrounding areas of the shoulder. Chronic instability will result in shoulder pain and unsteadiness when performing certain motions.
• Arthritis — While there are many kinds of arthritis, osteoarthritis is the form that typically affects the shoulder. It is the result of the cartilage that acts as a shock absorber between your bones weakens and wears away. It can be the result of tissue weakening as we become older, persistent injuries, and wear and tear. Arthritis cannot be cured, but effective pain management can be found with Manchester, MO physical therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The upper arm bone, collarbone, and shoulder blade are the bones in the shoulder most vulnerable to breaking. They usually happen as 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 bruising.
• 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 torn into two pieces. These injuries can cause shoulder pain, stingers, tingling, and loss of feeling in your upper extremities. They are commonly caused by a sudden blow but can also occur because of overuse.

At times, one injury leads to another, for example a fracture causing damage to the nerves. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain, one of our no-obligation, free injury screenings in Manchester, MO may help determine the underlying cause. If you’ve sustained a severe injury or have severe shoulder pain, a physician in Manchester, 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 customized treatment plan with knowledgeable physical therapists and movement health specialists in Manchester, MO can be a successful way to get you back to the activities you love.

How Do Manchester, MO Physical Therapists Treat Shoulder Pain?

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

• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization to detect and treat any problems with your muscles, ligaments, or tendons
• 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 work while your body heals
• Blood flow restriction training to offer your shoulder a low-intensity exercise with high-intensity benefits
• Trigger point dry needling to target damaged muscles, ligaments, and tendons deeper in the body to encourage the body’s natural healing processes
• Posture correction to make sure you are not inadvertently causing your shoulder pain or heal improperly
• Injury prevention so you and your shoulder and stay healthy and active
• Other safe, effective exercises to optimize your mobility

Missouri Law requires a prescription to attend physical therapy appointments, so you need to reach out to your Manchester, MO primary care physician 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 make sure you are getting the care that is safe for your condition.

Other services we offer in Manchester, 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

Manchester, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

A well-functioning shoulder is essential 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 Manchester, MO clients by developing 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 find the location nearest you.