Shoulder Pain in Matson, MO. If you live with shoulder pain, you know how hard it can be to manage. It makes everything from driving to playing volleyball painful and, sometimes, unfeasible. But you do not have to accept pain and limited shoulder movement. At Axes Physical Therapy in Matson, MO, our licensed physical therapists are experts at creating tailored treatment modalities, backed by proven 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 through our website or reach out to our location nearest you.

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

The shoulder is one of the the largest and most complex joints we have. In truth, what we call the shoulder joint is made up of four different joints:

1. The glenohumeral (GH) joint is the joint responsible for connecting the upper extremity to the trunk. Because the ball is 3-4 times larger than the socket, 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 gliding joint formed by the clavicle the breastbone at the foundation of the neck. This joint is where the arm and body meet, 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 scapula and its articulation with the ribcage.

In order to support those four joints, the shoulder consists of:

• the four muscles of the rotator cup covering the head of the humerus, which are responsible for movement and keep the ball of the humerus stable
• the shoulder capsule, a a fluid-filled sac that surrounds and lubricates the joints in the shoulder
• the ligaments of the shoulder which provide passive stability while still allowing for movements in different planes
• the biceps tendon and rotator cuff tendons which allow muscles to power the bones
• the brachial plexus nerves that allow for the brain and muscles to communicate with each other
• the blood vessels that supply nutritious blood to the shoulder

In order for the shoulder to function properly every joint, ligament, tendon, muscle, artery, capsule, and nerve must be able to work together. Sufficient blood must reach to the shoulder efficiently to keep oxygen levels and muscles strong and stimulate the body’s natural healing processes. 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 connecting bones need to help maintain 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 network, and anywhere from nagging to severe shoulder pain or loss of function. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain or any other symptoms of a shoulder injury, contact Axes’ physical therapists for a free injury screening.

What Causes Shoulder Pain?

Shoulder pain can be caused by a variety of 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 physical and occupations therapists see in Matson, MO:

• Bursitis — The bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that act as shock absorbers and reduce friction in joints. Bursitis the result of the bursae becoming inflamed after overuse, often occurs in combination with inflammation of the rotator cuff, and can make daily activities like getting in and out of cars immensely difficult.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis generally occurs because of inflammation or irritation of a tendon. There are two types of tendinitis:
  • Acute: This can happen because of a sudden blow, excessive overhead motions, 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: This can happen because 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 a blow to the shoulder, or repetitive movements or old age. They usually start with fraying and then tear. People often live with partial tears obliviously. Full-thickness tears, which pull the tendon off the bone, often require surgery. Symptoms include pain with specific movements, pain when sleeping, and a grinding sensation with specific movements.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement is the result of soft tissue 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, 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 be the result of injury or wear and tear. 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 causes or is the result of injury to the supporting soft tissue of the shoulder. Chronic instability will cause shoulder pain and a sense of the shoulder “giving way.”
• Arthritis — While arthritis refers to a range of diagnoses, the shoulder most commonly suffers from osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bones. It can be the result of tissue weakening as we become older, frequent injuries, and wear and tear. There is no cure for arthritis, but effective pain management can be found with Matson, MO physical therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The upper arm bone, clavicle, and scapula are the most commonly broken bones in the shoulder. They usually happen as the result of falling from a height or high-energy collisions such as a car accident. The shoulder pain is immediate and obvious, and the shoulder will experience considerable swelling 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 signals between the brain and shoulder, or the nerves are torn into two pieces. These injuries can cause shoulder pain along with a range of other sensations. They are commonly caused by a sudden blow but can also occur because of degenerative conditions.

At times, one injury leads to another, 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 Matson, MO may help you discover the root of it. If you’ve sustained a severe injury or have severe shoulder pain, a physician in Matson, 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 professional physical therapists and movement health specialists in Matson, MO can be a great way to return to a pain-free daily life and the active lifestyle you deserve.

Treating Your Shoulder Pain in Matson, MO

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

• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization to identify degenerative tissue, smooth out scar tissue, and treat the affected area
• Pre- and post-surgical rehabilitation, coordinated together with your doctor, 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 sports or work while your body heals
• Blood flow restriction training to strengthen muscles while reducing overall stress on the shoulder
• Trigger point dry needling to target harder-to-reach damaged soft tissue to encourage the body’s natural healing processes
• Posture correction to make sure 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 increase and maintain your mobility

Missouri Law requires a prescription to attend physical therapy appointments, so it’s necessary to speak to your Matson, MO physician to see if physical therapy is rights for your shoulder pain. Our knowledgeable 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 Matson, 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

Matson, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

A healthy shoulder 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 Matson, MO residents by implementing 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. Request an appointment online or reach out to our location most convenient for you.