Shoulder Pain in Oakland, MO. Those who suffer from shoulder pain know the effect it can have on your life. It makes any daily task from brushing your teeth to playing volleyball painful and, sometimes, not even an option. But you do not need to live the rest of your life with pain and limited shoulder movement. At Axes PT in Oakland, MO, our experienced physical therapists are experts at creating customized treatment plans, based on evidence, to get you back to the activities you love most. Trust in 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 the location nearest you.

The Human Shoulder | Shoulder Pain in Oakland, MO

The shoulder is among the largest and most complex joints we have. In reality, it is a complex of four joints:

1. The glenohumeral (GH) joint is a ball and socket joint where the humerus (upper arm bone) fits into a relatively small dish called the glenoid. As the the top of the humerus is 3-4 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 joint, it allows your shoulder blade to follow the movements of the other shoulder joints.
3. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a plane-style synovial joint located where the clavicle meets the breastbone at the bottom of the neck. This joint is where the arm and torso meet, 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 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 allow for movement movement and keep the ball of the humerus slipping out of the socket
• the shoulder capsule, a tough sheath or membrane that encloses the joints in 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 send motor messages from the brain to muscles and sensory information (like pain) from the joints back to the brain
• the arteries that pump much-needed blood to the shoulder

Proper shoulder strength, flexibility, and movement depends on every part of the system functioning well. Blood must be allowed to reach 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 that attach our bones need to help support proper structure, and the brain and shoulder need to have clear communication with each other. 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, contact Axes’ physical therapists for a complimentary injury screening.

What’s Behind My Shoulder Pain?

Shoulder pain can be caused by numerous different circumstances, from sports injuries to being struck by an object, 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 Oakland, MO:

• Bursitis — The bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that cushion bones, tendons, and muscles in and around your joints. Bursitis occurs when the bursae because irritated after repeated activities, often occurs at the same time as irritation of the rotator cuff, and can make daily tasks like getting in and out of cars tremendously 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 a sudden blow, repeated overhead motions, or other overhead activities common 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 age.

  The condition causes pain and tenderness just outside the joint.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be acute, like lifting an incredibly heavy object, or wear and tear. 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. Symptoms include pain with specific motions, pain when sleeping, and a grinding feeling with certain movements.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement is the result of the rotator cuff and bursae rubbing against your shoulder blade. It often occurs alongside an injury that causes inflammation in the rotator cuff. Shoulder impingement occurs the most in people who are physically active.
• Shoulder Instability — This occurs when the ball of the upper arm bone is forced out of the shoulder socket, 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 surrounding areas of the shoulder. Long-term instability will cause shoulder pain and unsteadiness when performing certain motions.
• Arthritis — While arthritis refers to a range of diagnoses, the shoulder most commonly experiences osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bones. It can be the result of old age, frequent trauma, and overuse. There is no cure for arthritis, but you can find effective pain management techniques with Oakland, MO physical and occupational therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The upper arm bone, collarbone, and scapula 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 immediate and obvious, along with substantial swelling and contusions.
• Axillary Nerve Injuries or Brachial Plexus Injuries — Nerve damage in the shoulder can occur when nerves are compressed, when scar tissue interferes with signals between the brain and shoulder, or the nerves rupture. Axillary nerve and brachial plexus injuries can cause shoulder pain, stingers, tingling, and loss of sensation in your shoulder, arm, or hand. 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, such as instability that leads to impingement. If you’re currently suffering from shoulder pain, one of our no-risk, free injury screenings in Oakland, MO may help you discover the underlying cause. To diagnose shoulder pain a physician in Oakland, 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 Oakland, MO can be an effective way to get you back to the things you love to do the most.

How Do Oakland, MO Physical Therapists Treat Shoulder Pain?

Your customized 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 soft tissue disorders
• 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 work while you are still recovering
• Blood flow restriction training to offer your shoulder a low-intensity exercise with high-intensity benefits
• Trigger point dry needling to target harder-to-reach irritated muscles, ligaments, and tendons to encourage the body’s natural healing processes
• Posture correction to ensure you are not inadvertently causing your shoulder pain or heal improperly
• Injury prevention so you and your shoulder and stay healthy and active
• Other safe, effective exercises to optimize your mobility

Missouri Revised Statute §334.506 dictates that you need a prescription for physical therapy, so it’s important to speak to your Oakland, MO physician to see if physical therapy is safe and an effective treatment option for your shoulder pain. Our knowledgeable physical and occupational therapists work alongside your primary care physician to ensure your treatment plan fits into your overall treatment plan.

Other services we offer in Oakland, 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

Oakland, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

Optimal movement health is essential to not only carrying out daily tasks with ease, but to doing the things we love. At Axes, we focus on positive outcomes for our Oakland, MO clients by creating proven treatment plans catered to your injury, pain level, age, and the activities you want to get back to. Do not wait to get back to the things you love doing most and a pain-free life. Schedule an appointment through our website or reach out to the location nearest you.