Shoulder Pain in Mehlville, MO. If you live with shoulder pain, you know how hard it can be to manage. It makes any basic task from watering the flowers to playing volleyball painful and, in some cases, unfeasible. But you do not need to live the rest of your life with pain and limited shoulder movement. At Axes PT in Mehlville, MO, our professional physical therapists create tailored treatment plans, backed by proven research, to get you back to striking out opponents, or just combing your hair pain-free. Allow us to make your shoulder pain a long-forgotten memory. Make an appointment through our website or reach out to the location nearest you.

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

The shoulder is among 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 responsible for connecting the upper extremity to the trunk. Given the relatively shallow dish, it has the widest range of motion as any other human joint.
2. The acromioclavicular (AC) joint connects the collarbone to 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 located where the collarbone meets the sternum at the foundation of the neck. As the only joint that connects the arm to the torso, it it ensures your arm and body act in tandem.
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 attaches and allows movement between the shoulder blade and the part of rib cage at the back of our bodies.

The shoulder is supported and surrounded by:

• the four muscles of the rotator cup that surround the head of the upper arm bone, which power movement and stabilize and protect the glenohumeral joint
• the shoulder capsule, a tough sheath or membrane that surrounds and protects the shoulder
• the four shoulder ligaments which provide passive stability while still allowing for a wide range of movements
• the tendons in the biceps and shoulder which affix muscle to bone
• the brachial plexus nerves that allow for the brain and muscles to communicate with each other
• the blood vessels that pump nutritious blood to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons

In order for the shoulder to function properly every joint, ligament, tendon, muscle, artery, capsule, and nerve must be able to work together. Blood must flow freely to 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 connecting them to the bones must be strong, flexible, and free of rips or tears, the ligaments connecting bones need to help support proper 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 often causes shoulder pain and movement problems. If if shoulder pain or poor shoulder movement is part of your daily life, reach out to Axes’ physical therapists for a complimentary injury screening.

What’s Behind My Shoulder Pain?

As the shoulder has so many moving parts, shoulder pain can have many root causes, from sports injuries to a car accident, a work injury from overuse to old age. The following are the most common underlying conditions that lead to shoulder pain in Mehlville, 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 swollen after overuse, often occurs at the same time as irritation of the rotator cuff, and can make basic activities like getting in and out of cars tremendously difficult.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis is typically caused by a tendon becoming irritated. It typically falls into one of two categories:
  • Acute: The result of trauma, repeated throwing, or other overhead activities needed in some competitive and activities and occupations, such as tennis or lifting boxes above your head.
  • Chronic: The result of wear and tear or general weakness as we get weaker.

  Symptoms include smarting pain, throbbing, and mild swelling.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be caused by acute injuries, like falling on an outstretched arm, or more chronic in nature. They usually start with fraying and then tear. A partial thickness tear often goes unnoticed. Complete tears, which pull the tendon off the bone, do not heal by themselves. Associated symptoms are pain with certain movements, pain when sleeping, and a popping sensation with 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 because of an injury. Shoulder impingement is most common in people who play sports or are otherwise active.
• Shoulder Instability — This occurs when the humerus is exits the shoulder socket, 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 happens in combination with injury to the surrounding areas of the shoulder. Long-term instability will result in shoulder pain and unsteadiness when performing certain motions.
• Arthritis — While arthritis refers to a range of diagnoses, the shoulder most typically suffers from osteoarthritis. It occurs when the cartilage that acts as a shock absorber between your bones breaks down. It can be the result of tissue weakening as we become older, repeated trauma, and wear and tear. There is no cure for arthritis, but you can find effective pain management methods with Mehlville, MO physical and occupational therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The humerus, clavicle, and scapula are the bones in the shoulder most vulnerable to fracture. They are often the result of falling a significant distance or onto a hard surface or forceful collisions such as a car accident. The shoulder pain is usually significant, along with substantial swelling and contusions.
• Axillary Nerve Injuries or Brachial Plexus Injuries — Nerve damage in the shoulder can occur when nerves are stretched, when scar tissue blocks communication between the brain and shoulder, or the nerves are torn into two pieces. These injuries can cause shoulder pain, stingers, numbness, and loss of feeling in your upper extremities. They are usually the result of a sudden blow but can also happen because of wear and tear.

At times, one injury leads to another, for example instability that leads to impingement. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain, one of our no-obligation, free injury screenings in Mehlville, MO may help you discover the underlying cause. To diagnose shoulder pain a physician in Mehlville, MO may use a physical examination, various imaging techniques, and/or arthroscopy. For most injuries or conditions that cause shoulder pain, a customized treatment plan with certified physical therapists that specialize in movement health in Mehlville, MO can be a successful way to get you back to a pain-free daily life and the active lifestyle you deserve.

How Do Mehlville, MO Physical Therapists Treat Shoulder Pain?

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

• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization to identify degenerative tissue, smooth out scar tissue, and treat the affected area
• Pre- and post-surgical rehabilitation, based on a plan with come up with alongside your physician, if you need surgery to relieve your shoulder pain
• Kinesio Taping® to provide support for your shoulder and allow you to participate in sports or 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 soft tissue 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 techniques to optimize your mobility

Missouri Law states that you need a prescription to attend physical therapy appointments, so you need to reach out to your Mehlville, MO primary care physician to see if physical therapy is rights for your shoulder pain. Our professional 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 Mehlville, MO include:

• Soft Tissue Mobilization
• Post Surgical Rehabilitation
• Shin Splint Treatment
• Direct Access Physical Therapy
• Gait Analysis
• Pelvic Floor Therapy
• Dry Needling Near Me
• Tendonitis Treatment
• Manual Physical Therapy
• Orthopedic Rehab Near Me

Mehlville, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

A healthy shoulder is important to not only living our every day life, but to keeping up the active lifestyles we desire. At Axes, we focus on patient results for Mehlville, MO people of all ages by developing proven treatment plans based on your injury, pain level, age, and how physically active you need to be. You do not have to delay in getting back to the activities you love and a pain-free life. Schedule an appointment through our website or find our location nearest you.