Shoulder Pain in Oakville, MO. If you live with shoulder pain, you know the limitations it can place on your life. It can make everything from driving to making a breakaway layup painful and, sometimes, unfeasible. But you do not need to live the rest of your life with pain and limited shoulder movement. At Axes PT in Oakville, MO, our experienced physical therapists create personalized treatment modalities, 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 call the location most convenient for you.

The Human Shoulder | Shoulder Pain in Oakville, MO

The shoulder is among human body’s largest and most intricate joints. In truth, it is made up of four independent smaller joints:

1. The glenohumeral (GH) joint is the joint responsible for connecting the upper extremity to the trunk. As the top of the upper arm bone is 3-4 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 bony tip on the outer edge of the scapula. A plane style synovial joint, it allows your shoulder blade to follow the movements of the other shoulder joints.
3. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a gliding joint formed by the collarbone the breastbone at the bottom of the neck. As the only joint that connects the arm to the body, it connects 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 typical joint characteristics. It attaches and allows movement between the shoulder blade and the part of rib cage at the back of our bodies.

In addition to those four joints, the shoulder is made up of:

• the four muscles of the rotator cup that surround the head of the humerus, which are responsible for movement and stabilize and protect the GH joint
• the shoulder capsule, a tough sheath or membrane that encloses the joints in 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 send motor messages from the brain to muscles and sensory information (like pain) from the joints back to the brain
• the blood vessels that supply nutrient-rich blood to the shoulder

In order for the shoulder to function properly every joint, ligament, tendon, muscle, artery, capsule, and nerve must function well. Blood must be allowed to reach the shoulder maintain healthy soft tissue 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 maintain 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, reach out to 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 a car accident, a work injury from repeated activities to our bodies just getting weaker as we get older. Below are the most common underlying conditions that lead to shoulder pain in Oakville, MO:

• Bursitis — The bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that act as shock absorbers and reduce friction in joints. Bursitis occurs when the bursae because inflamed after repeated activities, often occurs at the same time as rotator cuff tendinitis, and can make daily activities like getting dressed tremendously difficult.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis is typically caused by a tendon becoming irritated. There are two causes of tendinitis:
  • Acute: This can happen because of a sudden blow, repeated throwing, or other overhead activities common in some competitive and activities and fields of employment, such as tennis or lifting and lowering objects.
  • Chronic: The result of degenerative conditions or general weakness as we get weaker.

  The condition causes pain and tenderness just outside the joint.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be acute, like falling on an outstretched arm, or repetitive movements or old age. The tendon is initially frayed before becoming torn. People often live with partial thickness tears unknowingly. Complete tears, where the tendon is completely detached from the bone, do not heal by themselves. Common symptoms are pain with certain motions, pain when lying on the side of the affected shoulder, and a grinding sensation with specific motions.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement is the result of soft tissue rubbing against your shoulder blade. It is often the result of rotator cuff swellings after an injury. Shoulder impingement is most common in people who are physically active.
• Shoulder Instability — This occurs when the ball of the humerus is allowed to move out of the socket when the capsule or ligaments become damaged, 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 supporting soft tissue of the shoulder. Chronic instability will cause shoulder pain and a sense of the shoulder “giving way.”
• Arthritis — While there are at least six types of arthritis, the shoulder most typically suffers from osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bones. Common causes include tissue weakening as we become older, persistent trauma, and overuse. There is no cure for arthritis, but you can find effective pain management methods with Oakville, MO physical therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The humerus, clavicle, and scapula are the bones in the shoulder most susceptible to fracture. They usually happen as 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 intense, along with considerable inflammation and bruising.
• Axillary Nerve Injuries or Brachial Plexus Injuries — Nerve damage in the shoulder can occur when nerves are stretched, when scar tissue interferes with signals between the brain and shoulder, or the nerves are otherwise damaged. These injuries can cause shoulder pain along with a range of other sensations. They are commonly caused by sudden trauma but can also occur because of overuse.

Sometimes, injuries are intertwined, such as an impingement causing damage to the nerves. If you’re currently suffering from shoulder pain, one of our safe, free injury screenings in Oakville, 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 Oakville, MO may use a physical examination, various imaging techniques, and/or arthroscopy to discover the cause. For most injuries or conditions that cause shoulder pain, a tailored treatment plan with certified physical therapists and movement health specialists in Oakville, MO can be a great way to return to optimal movement health.

How Do Oakville, MO Physical Therapists Treat Shoulder Pain?

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

• 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 physician, if your shoulder pain was caused by an injury that needed surgery to correct
• Kinesio Taping® to reduce pain and inflammation and keep you safe as you participate in physical activity or work while your body heals
• Blood flow restriction training to improve strength while reducing overall stress on the shoulder
• Trigger point dry needling to attack damaged muscles, ligaments, and tendons deeper in the body to stimulate blood flow
• 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 dictates that you need a prescription to attend physical therapy appointments, so you need to reach out to your Oakville, MO doctor to see if physical therapy is rights 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.

Oakville, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

Optimal movement health 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 our Oakville, MO clients by developing proven treatment plans based on your injury, pain level, age, and desired activity level. Do not wait to get back to the activities you love and a pain-free life. Schedule an appointment through our website or reach out to the location nearest you.