Shoulder Pain in Moselle, MO. If you live with shoulder pain, you know how debilitating it can be. It makes everything from driving to diving for a softball frustrating and, for certain people, impossible. But you do not need to live the rest of your life with pain and limited shoulder movement. At Axes PT in Moselle, MO, our licensed physical therapists are experts at creating customized treatment plans, based on evidence, to get you back to striking out opponents, or just combing your hair pain-free. Allow us to safely and effectively treat your shoulder pain. Request an appointment online or call our location most convenient for you.

The Human Shoulder | Shoulder Pain in Moselle, MO

The shoulder is among the largest and most intricate joints we have. In reality, 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. Because the top of the upper arm bone is 3-4 times larger than the socket, it allows for more movement than any other joint.
2. The acromioclavicular (AC) joint is formed by the junction of the collarbone the acromion, the bony tip on the outer edge of the shoulder blade. A gliding joint, it helps extend the upper extremity from the trunk.
3. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a plane-style synovial joint formed by the clavicle the sternum at the foundation of the neck. This joint is where the arm and torso meet, 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 is made up of the scapula 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 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 shoulder
• the ligaments of the shoulder which help connect bone to bone and provide stability for the capsule
• the tendons in the biceps and shoulder 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 nutritious blood to the shoulder

In order for the shoulder to function properly the entire complex system must function well. Sufficient blood must reach to the shoulder efficiently to maintain healthy soft tissue and stimulate the body’s natural recovery 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 be similarly healthy, and messages most be able to be sent and received between the brain and shoulder. When any of these functions are not being carried out in a healthy way, 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?

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 repeated activities to old age. Below are common causes of shoulder pain that our physical and occupations therapists see in Moselle, MO:

• Bursitis — The bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that work as a cushion and gliding surface between tissues. Bursitis occurs when the bursae because inflamed after repeated activities, often occurs at the same time as irritation of the rotator cuff, and can make daily tasks like laying down for bed immensely painful.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis is typically caused by inflammation or irritation of a tendon. It typically falls into one of two categories:
  • Acute: This can happen because of trauma, excessive throwing, or other overhead activities common in some competitive and activities and fields of employment, such as swimming or moving objects overhead.
  • Chronic: This can happen because of wear and tear or general weakness 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 falling on an outstretched arm, or wear and tear. They usually start with fraying and then tear. People often live with partial tears unaware. Full-thickness tears, which pull the tendon off the bone, do not heal by themselves. Common symptoms are having difficulty raising your arm or lifting things you normally can, pain when lying on the side of the affected shoulder, and a popping sensation when performing certain motions.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement is the result of the rotator cuff and bursae rubbing against your shoulder blade. It often occurs in combination with an injury that causes inflammation in the rotator cuff. Shoulder impingement occurs the most in people who are physically active.
• Shoulder Instability — This happens when the humerus 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 happens in combination with 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 arthritis refers to a range of diagnoses, osteoarthritis is the condition that typically affects the shoulder. It occurs when the cartilage that acts as a shock absorber between your bones weakens and wears away. Common causes include old age, frequent trauma, and wear and tear. Arthritis cannot be cured, but you can find effective pain management methods with Moselle, MO physical therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The humerus, collarbone, and scapula are the bones in the shoulder most prone 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 immediate and obvious, along with considerable inflammation and contusions.
• Axillary Nerve Injuries or Brachial Plexus Injuries — Nerve damage in the shoulder can occur when nerves are stretched, when scar tissue interferes with their electric signals, or the nerves burst. These injuries can cause shoulder pain, stingers, tingling, and loss of feeling in your upper extremities. They are commonly caused by high-impact trauma but can also occur because of degenerative conditions.

Sometimes, injuries are intertwined, such as a dislocation causing damage to the nerves. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain, one of our no-risk, free injury screenings in Moselle, MO may help determine why you’re experiencing the pain. If you’ve sustained a severe injury or have severe shoulder pain, a physician in Moselle, MO may use a physical examination, various imaging techniques, and/or arthroscopy to discover the cause. Most people who experience shoulder pain can experience recovery with a personalized treatment plan with professional physical therapists that specialize in movement health in Moselle, MO can be an effective way to get you back to the things you love to do the most.

Treating Your Shoulder Pain in Moselle, MO

Your tailored and proven physical therapy treatments may include:

• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization to identify soft tissue restrictions, break down scar tissue, and treat the affected area
• Pre- and post-surgical rehabilitation, coordinated together with your surgeon, if you need surgery to relieve your shoulder pain
• Kinesio Taping® to reduce pain and inflammation and keep you safe as you participate in sports 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 target irritated 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 heal improperly
• Injury prevention so you can keep participating in the activities you love
• Other safe, effective techniques to optimize your mobility

Missouri Law requires a prescription to attend physical therapy appointments, so it’s important to speak to your Moselle, MO primary care physician to see if physical therapy is safe and an effective treatment option for your shoulder pain. Our knowledgeable physical and occupational therapists form a team with your primary care physician to ensure your treatment plan fits into your overall treatment plan.

Other services we offer in Moselle, 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

Moselle, 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 positive outcomes for our Moselle, MO clients by developing proven treatment plans catered to 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. Make an appointment through our website or find the location nearest you.