Shoulder Pain in Old Jamestown, MO. Those who suffer from shoulder pain know the effect it can have on your life. It can make everything from strapping on a seatbelt to diving for a softball painful and, sometimes, impossible. But pain and limited shoulder movement is usually manageable and beatable with safe and effective treatment. At Axes PT in Old Jamestown, MO, our professional physical therapists create personalized 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 online or reach out to our location most convenient for you.

The Anatomy of the Shoulder | Shoulder Pain in Old Jamestown, MO

The shoulder is among the largest and most intricate joints we have. In actuality, what we call the shoulder joint is made up of four different joints:

1. The glenohumeral (GH) joint is a ball and socket joint responsible for connecting the upper extremity to the trunk. As the the top of the humerus is several 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 scapula. A gliding joint, it helps extend the upper extremity from the trunk.
3. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a gliding joint located where the clavicle meets the breastbone at the bottom of the neck. As the only joint that connects the arm to the body, it it ensures your arm and body act in coordination.
4. The scapulothoracic (ST) “joint” is more of a “floating” joint as it does not have ligaments connecting it to bone. It is made up of the scapula and its articulation with the ribcage.

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

• the four muscles of the rotator cup covering 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 surrounds and protects the joints in the shoulder
• the four shoulder ligaments which attach bones together and provide stability for the capsule
• the biceps tendon and rotator cuff tendons which attach muscle to bone
• 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 blood vessels that supply much-needed 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 healing processes. The muscles strong enough to move and flexible enough to safely make those movements, the tendons attaching bone and muscle must be strong, flexible, and free of rips or tears, the ligaments that attach our bones need to help support proper structure, and the nerves need to have a strong and secure connection to the brain. When any one of the parts of the shoulder is damaged, inflamed, or otherwise irritated, it can lead to a disruption of the entire complex, and anywhere from nagging to debilitating 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’s Behind My Shoulder Pain?

Shoulder pain can be caused by a variety of circumstances, from sports injuries to a car accident, a work injury from overuse to old age. Below are common causes of shoulder pain that our physical and occupations therapists see in Old Jamestown, MO:

• Bursitis — The bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that cushion bones, tendons, and muscles in and around your shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, and other joints. Bursitis the result of the bursae becoming swollen after overuse, often occurs at the same time as rotator cuff tendinitis, and can make basic tasks like carrying groceries immensely painful.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis generally occurs because of a tendon becoming irritated. It typically falls into one of two categories:
  • Acute: The result of trauma, excessive overhead motions, or other overhead activities common in some competitive and activities and fields of employment, such as track and field throwing events or lifting and lowering boxes.
  • Chronic: This can happen because of wear and tear or the body becoming weaker as we get older.

  The condition causes pain and tenderness just outside the joint.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be caused by acute injuries, like a blow to the shoulder, or more chronic in nature. The tendon is initially frayed before becoming torn. A partial tear often goes unnoticed. Complete tears, which go all the way through the tendon, often require surgery. Symptoms include pain when performing certain motions, pain when lying on the side of the affected shoulder, and a grinding feeling with certain movements.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement occurs when your acromion (the bony tip of your scapula) irritates the rotator cuff and bursae. It often occurs in combination with an injury that causes inflammation in the rotator cuff. Shoulder impingement occurs the most in people who play sports or are otherwise 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 happen suddenly or from overuse. Dislocations can be repeated and partial or the entire bone coming out of the socket. It often happens in combination with injury to the supporting soft tissue of the shoulder. Long-term instability will cause shoulder pain and unsteadiness when performing certain motions.
• Arthritis — While there are many types 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, frequent injuries, and wear and tear. Arthritis cannot be cured, but you can find effective pain management methods with Old Jamestown, MO physical therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The upper arm bone, collarbone, and shoulder blade are the most commonly broken bones in the shoulder. They are often the result of falling a significant distance or onto a hard surface or forceful collisions such as being tackles in a football game. The shoulder pain is usually severe, 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 blocks signals between the brain and shoulder, or the nerves burst. These injuries can cause shoulder pain along with a range of other sensations. They are commonly caused by a sudden blow but can also occur because of degenerative conditions.

Sometimes, injuries are connected, for example an impingement that leads to damage to the nerves. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain, one of our no-obligation, free injury screenings in Old Jamestown, MO may help you discover the underlying cause. If you’ve sustained a severe injury or have severe shoulder pain, a physician in Old Jamestown, MO may use a physical examination, an X-Ray, an MRI, a CT scan, arthrogram, and/or arthroscopy to discover the cause. Most people who experience shoulder pain can find relief with a tailored treatment plan with certified physical therapists and movement health specialists in Old Jamestown, MO can be a successful way to return to a pain-free daily life and the active lifestyle you deserve.

Treating Your Shoulder Pain in Old Jamestown, MO

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

• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization to identify degenerative tissue, break down scar tissue, and treat the affected area
• Pre- and post-surgical rehabilitation, coordinated together with 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 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 harder-to-reach irritated 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 exercises to optimize your mobility

Missouri Revised Statute §334.506 stipulates that you need a prescription for physical therapy, so you need to reach out to your Old Jamestown, MO physician to see if physical therapy is safe and an effective treatment option for your shoulder pain. Our experienced physical and occupational therapists work alongside your primary care physician to ensure your treatment plan is safe for your condition.

Other services we offer in Old Jamestown, 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

Old Jamestown, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

A well-functioning 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 Old Jamestown, MO residents by implementing proven treatment plans catered to 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. Make an appointment online or reach out to our location nearest you.