Shoulder Pain in Oakville, MO. Those who experience shoulder pain know how hard it can be to manage. It makes everything from strapping on a seatbelt to diving for a softball painful and, for certain people, impossible. But pain and limited shoulder movement does not have to be a part of your everyday life. At Axes Physical Therapy in Oakville, MO, our licensed physical therapists are experts at creating tailored treatment modalities, based on evidence, to get you back to striking out opponents, or just combing your hair pain-free. Trust in us to turn your shoulder pain from a daily occurrence into a thing of the past. Schedule an appointment through our website or call the location most convenient for you.

The Anatomy of the Shoulder | Shoulder Pain in Oakville, MO

The shoulder is one of the human body’s largest and most complex joints. In truth, what we call the shoulder joint is made up of four different 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 several 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 for additional rotation of the shoulder blade.
3. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a plane-style synovial joint located where the clavicle meets the sternum at the bottom of the neck. As the only joint that connects the arm to the torso, it it ensures your arm and body move in tandem.
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 is made up of the scapula and its articulation with the ribcage.

The shoulder is supported and surrounded by:

• the four muscles of the rotator cup covering the head of the humerus, which are responsible for movement and keep the head of the upper arm bone firmly within the shallow socket of the shoulder
• the shoulder capsule, a soft tissue sac that encloses the joints in the shoulder
• the four shoulder ligaments which help connect bone to bone and help reinforce the capsule
• 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 arteries that pump nutrient-rich blood to the shoulder

Proper shoulder strength, flexibility, and movement depends on every part of the system being healthy and working together. Sufficient blood must flow to the shoulder efficiently to maintain healthy soft tissue 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 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 no-risk, no-obligation injury screening.

What’s Behind My 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 Oakville, MO:

• Bursitis — The bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that cushion bones, tendons, and muscles in and around your joints. Bursitis the result of the bursae becoming inflamed after overuse, often occurs at the same time as shoulder impingement, and can make basic activities like getting dressed tremendously painful.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis generally occurs because of inflammation or irritation of a tendon. It typically falls into one of two categories:
  • Acute: This can happen because of trauma, repeated overhead motions, or other overhead activities common in some sports and fields of employment, such as track and field throwing events 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 caused by sudden trauma, like lifting an incredibly heavy object, or repetitive movements or old age. The tendon is initially frayed before becoming torn. A partial thickness tear often goes unnoticed. Complete 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 grinding sensation with certain movements.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement describes when your acromion (the bony tip of your shoulder blade) irritates the rotator cuff and bursae. It often occurs alongside an injury that causes inflammation in the rotator cuff. 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 humerus is allowed to move out of the socket when the capsule or ligaments become stretched, torn, or detached, 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 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 there are many kinds of arthritis, 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, persistent trauma, and wear and tear. There is no cure for arthritis, but you can find effective pain management methods with Oakville, MO physical therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The humerus, collarbone, and shoulder blade are the most commonly broken bones in the shoulder. They are often the result of falling from a height or high-impact collisions such as a car accident. The shoulder pain is usually intense, along with considerable swelling and bruising.
• Axillary Nerve Injuries or Brachial Plexus Injuries — Nerve damage in the shoulder is the result of when nerves are stretched, when scar tissue blocks communication between the brain and shoulder, or the nerves rupture. These injuries can cause shoulder pain along with a range of other sensations. They are usually the result of sudden trauma but can also happen because of wear and tear.

Sometimes, injuries are connected, for example instability that leads to impingement. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain, one of our no-risk, free injury screenings in Oakville, MO may help you discover why you’re experiencing the pain. To diagnose shoulder pain a physician in Oakville, 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 licensed physical therapists and movement health specialists in Oakville, MO can be an effective way to get you back to the activities you love.

How Do Oakville, MO Physical Therapists Treat Shoulder Pain?

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

• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization to detect and treat any soft tissue disorders
• 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 reduce pain and inflammation and allow you to participate in physical activity or work while your body heals
• Blood flow restriction training to offer your shoulder a low-intensity exercise with high-intensity results
• Trigger point dry needling to target irritated muscles, ligaments, and tendons 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 do not lose your active lifestyle in the future
• Other safe, effective treatment methods to optimize your mobility

Missouri Law requires a prescription for physical therapy, so it’s important to speak to your Oakville, MO primary care physician to see if physical therapy is rights for your shoulder pain. Our professional physical and occupational therapists form a team with your primary care physician to ensure your treatment plan is safe for your condition.

Other services we offer in Oakville, MO include:

• 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
• Beginner Running Program
• Chronic Pain Treatment

Oakville, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

Optimal movement health is imperative 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 Oakville, MO residents by creating proven treatment plans based on your injury, pain level, age, and how physically active you need to be. Do not wait to get back to the things you love doing most and a pain-free life. Request an appointment online or reach out to the location most convenient for you.