Shoulder Pain in New Melle, MO. If you live with shoulder pain, you know how hard it can be to manage. It can make any daily task from watering the flowers to diving for a softball painful and, for certain people, unfeasible. But you do not have to accept pain and limited shoulder movement. At Axes Physical Therapy in New Melle, MO, our experienced physical therapists create personalized treatment plans, backed by proven research, to get you back to striking out opponents, or just combing your hair pain-free. Let us help you safely and effectively treat your shoulder pain. Make an appointment online or find our location most convenient for you.

The Human Shoulder | Shoulder Pain in New Melle, MO

The shoulder is one of the human body’s largest and most complex joints. In actuality, it is a complex of four joints:

1. The glenohumeral (GH) joint is the joint where the humerus (upper arm bone) fits into a relatively small dish called the glenoid. Because the the top of the humerus is several times larger than the socket, it is the most mobile joint in the body.
2. The acromioclavicular (AC) joint connects the collarbone to 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. 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 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 covering the head of the upper arm bone, which are responsible for movement and stabilize and protect the glenohumeral joint
• the shoulder capsule, a tough sheath or membrane that surrounds and protects the joints in the shoulder
• the ligaments of the shoulder which help connect bone to bone and provide stability for the capsule
• the biceps tendon and rotator cuff tendons which connect muscle to bone
• the brachial plexus nerves that allow for the brain and muscles to communicate with each other
• the arteries that supply nutrient-rich blood to the shoulder

Being able to move your shoulder pain free depends on every part of the system functioning well. Blood must flow freely to the shoulder keep oxygen levels and muscles strong and repair minor damage. The muscles must have adequate strength and flexibility, the tendons attaching bone and muscle must be strong, flexible, and free of rips or tears, the ligaments that attach our bones need to be similarly healthy, and the brain and shoulder need to have clear communication with each other. When any of these parts are not at optimal health, it can lead to a disruption of the whole network, and anywhere from nagging to severe shoulder pain or loss of function. If if shoulder pain or poor shoulder movement is part of your daily life, contact Axes’ physical therapists for a free injury screening.

What Causes Shoulder Pain?

Shoulder pain can be caused by numerous different circumstances, from sports injuries to a car accident, a work injury from overuse to our bodies just getting weaker as we get older. The following are the most common underlying conditions that lead to shoulder pain in New Melle, MO:

• Bursitis — The bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that work as a cushion and gliding surface between muscles, bones, tendons, and skin. Bursitis the result of the bursae becoming irritated after repeated activities, often occurs in combination with shoulder impingement, and can make daily activities like brushing your teeth incredibly difficult.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis is typically caused by a tendon becoming irritated. It typically falls into one of two categories:
  • Acute: This can happen because of a sudden blow, excessive overhead motions, or other overhead activities common in some competitive and activities and occupations, such as throwing overhead or lifting and lowering objects.
  • Chronic: This can happen because of wear and tear or general weakness as we age.

  Symptoms include a dull ache, throbbing, and mild swelling.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be acute, like a blow to the shoulder, 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, 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 feeling when performing specific motions.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement describes when your acromion (outer edge of your scapula) irritates the rotator cuff and bursae. It is often the result of rotator cuff swellings after an injury. 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 ball of the upper arm bone is forced out of the shoulder socket, and also can happen suddenly or from overuse. 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 result in shoulder pain and a sense of the shoulder “giving way.”
• Arthritis — While arthritis refers to a range of diagnoses, osteoarthritis is the form 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 injuries, and wear and tear. There is no cure for arthritis, but effective pain management is possible with New Melle, MO physical and occupational therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The upper arm bone, collarbone, and shoulder blade are the bones in the shoulder most prone to breaking. They are often the result of falling a significant distance or onto a hard surface or high-energy collisions such as a car accident. 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 can occur 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 sensation in your shoulder, arm, or hand. They are commonly caused by high-impact trauma but can also happen because of wear and tear.

At times, one injury leads to another, such as an impingement that leads to damage to the nerves. If you’re currently suffering from shoulder pain, one of our no-obligation, free injury screenings in New Melle, MO may help determine the root of it. To diagnose shoulder pain a physician in New Melle, MO may use a physical examination, an X-Ray, an MRI, a CT scan, arthrogram, and/or arthroscopy. Most people who experience shoulder pain can find relief with a tailored treatment plan with knowledgeable physical therapists that specialize in movement health in New Melle, MO can be a great way to return to a pain-free daily life and the active lifestyle you deserve.

How Do New Melle, MO Physical Therapists Treat Shoulder Pain?

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

• 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 you need surgery to relieve your shoulder pain
• Kinesio Taping® to provide support for your shoulder and allow you to participate in physical activity 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 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 treatment methods to increase and maintain your mobility

Missouri Revised Statute §334.506 requires a prescription to attend physical therapy appointments, so you need to reach out to your New Melle, MO doctor 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 ensure you are getting the care that is safe for your condition.

New Melle, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

A healthy shoulder is imperative 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 our New Melle, MO clients by developing evidence-backed treatment plans based on 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 through our website or reach out to our location most convenient for you.