Shoulder Pain in Marthasville, MO. If you live with shoulder pain, you know how hard it can be to manage. It makes any daily task from watering the flowers to playing volleyball painful and, for some of us, 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 Marthasville, MO, our licensed physical therapists are experts at designing tailored treatment modalities, based on evidence, to get you back to optimal movement health. Allow us to make your shoulder pain an ancient memory. Request an appointment through our website or reach out to our location nearest you.

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

The shoulder is among human body’s largest and most complex joints. In actuality, it is made up of four independent smaller 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 clavicle the acromion, the bony tip on the outer edge of the scapula. 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 located where the collarbone meets the breastbone at the foundation of the neck. As the only joint that connects the arm to the torso, 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 does not have union by fibrous, cartilaginous or synovial tissues. It is made up of the shoulder blade and its articulation with the ribcage.

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 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 joints in the shoulder
• the four shoulder ligaments which provide passive stability while still allowing for movements in different planes
• the tendons in the biceps and shoulder which attach 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 blood vessels that supply nutritious blood to the shoulder

Optimal shoulder and movement health depends on every part of the system being healthy and working together. Sufficient blood must flow to the shoulder efficiently to maintain healthy soft tissue 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 strong, flexible, and free of rips or tears, the ligaments that attach our bones need to help support proper structure, and messages most be able to be sent and received between the brain and shoulder. When any one of the parts of the shoulder is damaged, inflamed, or otherwise irritated, it often causes shoulder pain and movement problems. 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’s Behind My Shoulder Pain?

Shoulder pain can be caused by numerous different circumstances, from sports injuries to being struck by an object, a work injury from overuse to our bodies just getting weaker as we get older. Below are common causes of shoulder pain that our team see in Marthasville, 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 irritated after repeated activities, often occurs in association with rotator cuff tendinitis, and can make daily tasks like laying down for bed immensely painful.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis generally occurs because of inflammation or irritation of a tendon. There are two types of tendinitis:
  • Acute: The result of trauma, excessive throwing, or other overhead activities needed in some sports and occupations, such as volleyball or moving objects above your head.
  • Chronic: The result of wear and tear or general weakness as we get weaker.

  Symptoms include aching, throbbing, and mild swelling.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be acute, such a blow to the shoulder, or repetitive movements or old age. They begin with fraying and ultimately tear. People often live with partial tears obliviously. Complete tears, which go all the way through the tendon, often require surgery. Symptoms include having difficulty raising your arm or lifting things you normally can, pain when lying on the side of the affected shoulder, and a clicking feeling when performing specific 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 after an injury. Shoulder impingement is most common in people who play sports or are otherwise active.
• Shoulder Instability — This occurs when the ball of the humerus is allowed to move out of the socket when the capsule or ligaments become damaged, and also can be the result of injury or overuse. Dislocations can be repeated and partial or the entire bone coming out of the socket. It often causes or is the result of injury to the surrounding areas of the shoulder. Long-term instability will cause shoulder pain and a sense of the shoulder “giving way.”
• Arthritis — While there are many types of arthritis, osteoarthritis is the condition that typically affects the shoulder. Osteoarthritis is the degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bones. Common causes include tissue weakening as we become older, frequent trauma, and overuse. Arthritis cannot be cured, but you can find effective pain management techniques with Marthasville, MO physical and occupational therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The humerus, clavicle, and shoulder blade are the bones in the shoulder most susceptible to fracture. They usually happen as the result of falling from a height or forceful collisions such as being tackles in a football game. The shoulder pain is usually significant, and the shoulder will experience substantial inflammation and contusions.
• Axillary Nerve Injuries or Brachial Plexus Injuries — Nerve damage in the shoulder is the result of when nerves are stretched, 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, weakness, and loss of feeling in your upper extremities. They are usually the result of sudden trauma but can also happen because of overuse.

Sometimes, injuries are connected, such as instability that leads to impingement. If you’re currently suffering from shoulder pain, one of our no-risk, free injury screenings in Marthasville, MO may help you discover the root of it. To diagnose shoulder pain a physician in Marthasville, MO may use a physical examination, various imaging techniques, and/or arthroscopy. Most people who experience shoulder pain can find relief with a personalized treatment plan with licensed physical therapists that specialize in movement health in Marthasville, MO can be a successful way to get you back to the activities you love.

Treating Your Shoulder Pain in Marthasville, 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 detect and treat any soft tissue disorders
• Pre- and post-surgical rehabilitation, based on a plan with come up with alongside 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 sports or work while you are still recovering
• Blood flow restriction training to strengthen muscles while reducing overall stress on the shoulder
• Trigger point dry needling to attack harder-to-reach damaged soft tissue to stimulate blood flow
• Posture correction to ensure 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 techniques to optimize your mobility

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

Other services we offer in Marthasville, 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

Marthasville, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

A well-functioning shoulder 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 Marthasville, MO people of all ages by implementing proven treatment plans based on your injury, pain level, age, and the activities you want to get back to. You do not have to delay in getting back to the things you love doing most and a pain-free life. Schedule an appointment online or find the location nearest you.