Shoulder Pain in Mapaville, MO. Those who suffer from shoulder pain know the limitations it can place on your life. It makes any basic task from strapping on a seatbelt to making a breakaway layup painful and, sometimes, not even an option. But pain and limited shoulder movement is usually manageable and beatable with safe and effective treatment. At Axes PT in Mapaville, MO, our licensed physical therapists are experts at creating tailored treatment plans, proven to work through research, to get you back to optimal movement health. Let us help you make your shoulder pain a long-forgotten memory. Request an appointment online or call our location nearest you.

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

The shoulder is among the largest and most complex joints we have. In reality, what is referred to as the shoulder joint is made up of four different joints:

1. The glenohumeral (GH) joint is the joint where the humerus (upper arm bone) fits into a relatively small dish called the glenoid. Given the relatively shallow dish, it is the most mobile joint in the body.
2. The acromioclavicular (AC) joint connects the clavicle to the acromion, the bony tip on the outer edge of the shoulder blade. A plane style synovial joint, it helps extend the upper extremity from the trunk.
3. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a gliding joint located where the clavicle meets the sternum at the bottom of the neck. As the only joint that connects the arm to the body, 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 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 upper arm bone firmly within the shallow socket of the shoulder
• the shoulder capsule, a a fluid-filled sac that surrounds and lubricates the shoulder
• the ligaments of the shoulder 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 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 nutrient-rich blood to the shoulder

Proper shoulder strength, flexibility, and movement depends on every part of the system functioning well. Blood must be allowed to reach 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 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 breakdown of the whole network, and anywhere from nagging to intense shoulder pain or loss of function. If if shoulder pain or poor shoulder movement is part of your daily life, contact 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 being struck by an object, a work injury from overuse to old age. Below are common causes of shoulder pain that our physical and occupations therapists see in Mapaville, 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 irritated after repeated activities, often occurs in association with rotator cuff tendinitis, and can make basic activities like getting in and out of cars tremendously painful.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis is typically caused by inflammation or irritation of a tendon. There are two causes of tendinitis:
  • Acute: The result of trauma, excessive overhead motions, or other overhead activities common in some competitive and activities and fields of employment, such as swimming or lifting boxes overhead.
  • Chronic: The result of wear and tear 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, such lifting an incredibly heavy object, or repetitive movements or old age. They usually start with fraying and then tear. A partial thickness tear often goes unnoticed. Full-thickness tears, which go all the way through the tendon, often require surgery. Symptoms include pain with certain movements, pain when sleeping, and a grinding sensation with certain motions.
• 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 rarely caused by overuse, and is most common in athletes or others who engage in physical activity.
• Shoulder Instability — This occurs when the ball of the upper arm bone is exits the shoulder socket, and also can be the result of injury or wear and tear. Dislocations can be repeated and partial or the entire bone coming out of the socket. It often is accompanied by injury to the supporting soft tissue 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 kinds of arthritis, osteoarthritis is the form that typically affects the shoulder. Osteoarthritis is the degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bones. It can be the result of old age, frequent trauma, and overuse. Arthritis cannot be cured, but effective pain management can be found with Mapaville, MO physical and occupational therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The humerus, clavicle, and scapula are the bones in the shoulder most susceptible to breaking. They usually happen as the result of falling a significant distance or onto a hard surface or forceful collisions such as a car accident. The shoulder pain is immediate and obvious, along with considerable inflammation and bruising.
• Axillary Nerve Injuries or Brachial Plexus Injuries — Nerve damage in the shoulder is the result of when nerves are impinged on, 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 wear and tear.

Sometimes, injuries are connected, such as how an untreated rotator cuff tear can lead to arthritis. If you’re currently suffering from shoulder pain, one of our no-risk, free injury screenings in Mapaville, MO may help you discover why you’re experiencing the pain. If you’ve sustained a severe injury or have severe shoulder pain, a physician in Mapaville, 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 recovery with a tailored treatment plan with certified physical therapists and movement health specialists in Mapaville, MO can be a great way to return to a pain-free daily life and the active lifestyle you deserve.

How Do Mapaville, MO Physical Therapists Treat Shoulder Pain?

Your tailored and proven physical therapy treatment plan may include:

• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization to identify degenerative tissue, break down scar tissue, and treat the affected area
• Pre- and post-surgical rehabilitation, coordinated together with your physician, 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 results
• Trigger point dry needling to attack irritated muscles, ligaments, and tendons deeper in the body to encourage the body’s natural healing processes
• Posture correction to ensure you do not contribute to your injuries 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 Law requires a prescription to attend physical therapy appointments, so it’s important to speak to your Mapaville, 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 your treatment plan fits into your overall treatment plan.

Other services we offer in Mapaville, MO include:

• Dry Needling Near Me
• Tendonitis Treatment
• Manual Physical Therapy
• Orthopedic Rehab Near Me
• Beginner Running Program
• Chronic Pain Treatment
• Spine Specialist Near Me
• MCL Injury
• Injury Prevention

Mapaville, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

Optimal movement health is important to not only carrying out daily tasks with ease, but to doing the things we love. At Axes, we focus on positive outcomes for our Mapaville, MO clients by implementing proven treatment plans based on your injury, pain level, age, and desired activity level. Do not wait to get back to the activities you love and a pain-free life. Request an appointment online or find the location nearest you.