Shoulder Pain in Maryland Heights, MO. If you live with shoulder pain, you know how hard it can be to manage. It makes everything from pouring a cup of coffee to playing volleyball painful and, for some of us, not even an option. But pain and limited shoulder movement is usually manageable and beatable with safe and effective treatment. At Axes Physical Therapy in Maryland Heights, MO, our experienced physical therapists are experts at developing customized treatment plans, backed by proven research, to get you back to optimal movement health. Trust in us to safely and effectively treat your shoulder pain. Request an appointment through our website or reach out to the location nearest you.

The Anatomy of the Shoulder | Shoulder Pain in Maryland Heights, MO

The shoulder is one of the human body’s largest and most intricate joints. In actuality, it is a multiplex of four 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 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 joint, it allows you to outstretch your arm.
3. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a plane-style synovial joint located where the clavicle 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 not a true anatomical 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.

The shoulder is supported and surrounded by:

• the four muscles of the rotator cup that surround the head of the humerus, which power movement and stabilize the ball of the humerus within the shoulder socket
• the shoulder capsule, a a fluid-filled sac that surrounds and lubricates the joints in the shoulder
• the ligaments of the shoulder which help connect bone to bone 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 supply nutritious blood to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons

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 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 that attach our 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 disruption of the entire system, and anywhere from nagging to intense 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?

Shoulder pain can be caused by numerous different circumstances, from sports injuries to falls, a work injury from repeated activities to our bodies just getting weaker as we get older. Below are common causes of shoulder pain that our team see in Maryland Heights, MO:

• Bursitis — The bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that work as a cushion and gliding surface between muscles, bones, tendons, and skin. Bursitis occurs when the bursae because irritated after repeated activities, often occurs in combination with rotator cuff tendinitis, and can make daily activities like getting dressed immensely painful.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis is typically caused by inflammation or irritation of a tendon. It typically falls into one of two categories:
  • Acute: The result of a sudden blow, excessive throwing, or other overhead activities needed in some competitive and activities and occupations, such as volleyball or lifting and lowering objects.
  • Chronic: This can happen because of degenerative conditions 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 acute, like falling on an outstretched arm, or repetitive movements or old age. They begin with fraying and ultimately tear. A partial thickness tear often goes unnoticed. Full-thickness 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 grinding sensation with certain movements.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement describes when your acromion (outer edge of your scapula) pinches the soft tissue in your shoulder. It often occurs in combination with an injury that causes inflammation in the rotator cuff. Shoulder impingement is rarely caused by overuse, and is most common in athletes or others who engage in physical activity.
• 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 happen suddenly or from wear and tear. Dislocations can be repeated and partial or the entire bone coming out of the socket. It often happens in combination with injury to the surrounding areas of the shoulder. Chronic instability will cause shoulder pain and unsteadiness when performing certain motions.
• 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 old age, persistent trauma, and wear and tear. There is no cure for arthritis, but effective pain management can be found with Maryland Heights, MO physical therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The upper arm bone, collarbone, and shoulder blade are the bones in the shoulder most prone to fracture. They are often the result of falling from a height or high-energy 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 compressed, when scar tissue blocks 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 sudden trauma but can also happen because of wear and tear.

Sometimes, injuries are connected, such as an impingement that leads to damage to the nerves. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain, one of our no-obligation, free injury screenings in Maryland Heights, 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 Maryland Heights, MO may use a physical examination, an X-Ray, an MRI, a CT scan, arthrogram, and/or arthroscopy to discover the cause. For most injuries or conditions that cause shoulder pain, a personalized treatment plan with experienced physical therapists and movement health specialists in Maryland Heights, MO can be an effective way to get you back to the activities you love.

How Do Maryland Heights, MO Physical Therapists Treat Shoulder Pain?

Your personalized and evidence-backed physical therapy treatments may include:

• 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 your shoulder pain was caused by an injury that needed surgery to correct
• Kinesio Taping® to provide support for your shoulder and allow you to participate in sports or go back to 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 attack damaged muscles, ligaments, and tendons deeper in the body to stimulate blood flow
• Posture correction to ensure you do not contribute to your injuries or heal improperly
• Injury prevention so you can keep participating in the activities you love
• Other safe, effective techniques to optimize your mobility

Missouri Law states that you need a prescription for physical therapy, so it’s important to speak to your Maryland Heights, MO primary care physician to see if physical therapy is rights for your shoulder pain. Our experienced physical and occupational therapists are responsible and work closely with your primary care physician to make sure your treatment plan fits into your overall treatment plan.

Other services we offer in Maryland Heights, MO include:

• Back Pain Treatment
• Neck Pain Treatment
• 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

Maryland Heights, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

Optimal movement health is important to not only living our every day life, but to keeping up the active lifestyles we desire. At Axes, we focus on positive outcomes for Maryland Heights, MO residents by implementing proven treatment plans catered to 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. Make an appointment online or find the location most convenient for you.