Shoulder Pain in Old Monroe, MO. If you live with shoulder pain, you know how hard it can be to manage. It can make everything from brushing your teeth to making a breakaway layup frustrating and, sometimes, impossible. But you do not need to live the rest of your life with pain and limited shoulder movement. At Axes PT in Old Monroe, MO, our experienced physical therapists are experts at creating customized treatment modalities, proven to work through research, to get you back to optimal movement health. Let us help you safely and effectively treat your shoulder pain. Request an appointment through our website or find the location most convenient for you.

How Does the Shoulder Work? | Shoulder Pain in Old Monroe, MO

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

1. The glenohumeral (GH) joint is a ball and socket joint where the humerus (upper arm bone) fits into the socket of the glenoid. As the top of the upper arm bone 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 bony tip on the outer edge of the shoulder blade. A plane style synovial joint, it allows you to outstretch your arm.
3. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a plane-style synovial joint located where the clavicle meets the breastbone at the foundation of the neck. This joint is where the arm and body meet, it it ensures your arm and body act in coordination.
4. The scapulothoracic (ST) “joint” is not a true anatomical joint as it does not have ligaments connecting it to bone. 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 are responsible for movement and keep the ball of the upper arm bone stable
• the shoulder capsule, a soft tissue sac that encloses the shoulder
• the ligaments of the shoulder which attach bones together 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 allow for the brain and muscles to communicate with each other
• the arteries that supply nutritious 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 reach to the shoulder efficiently to keep oxygen levels and muscles strong 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 intact and strong, the ligaments connecting bones need to help support proper structure, and messages most be able to be sent and received between the brain and shoulder. When any one of the parts of the shoulder is damaged, inflamed, or otherwise irritated, it can lead to a breakdown of the whole complex, and anywhere from nagging to debilitating shoulder pain or loss of function. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain or any other symptoms of a shoulder injury, reach out to Axes’ physical therapists for a no-risk, no-obligation injury screening.

What’s Behind My Shoulder Pain?

As the shoulder is complex, shoulder pain can have many root causes, from sports injuries to falls, a work injury from overuse 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 Old Monroe, 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 irritated after repeated activities, often occurs in association with rotator cuff tendinitis, and can make daily activities like getting dressed exceedingly painful.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis is typically caused by a tendon becoming irritated. It typically falls into one of two categories:
  • Acute: This can happen because of trauma, excessive throwing, or other overhead activities common in some competitive and activities and occupations, such as tennis or lifting boxes overhead.
  • Chronic: This can happen because of degenerative conditions or general weakness as we get weaker.

  Symptoms include a dull ache, tenderness, and slight swelling.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be caused by acute injuries, like a blow to the shoulder, or more chronic in nature. They begin with fraying and ultimately tear. People often live with partial thickness tears obliviously. Full-thickness tears, which go all the way through the tendon, often require surgery. Symptoms include pain with certain motions, pain when sleeping, and a popping sensation when performing certain movements.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement is the result of soft tissue 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 play sports or are otherwise active.
• Shoulder Instability — This occurs when the head of the humerus 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 is accompanied by injury to the surrounding areas 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, the shoulder most commonly suffers from osteoarthritis. It is the result of the cartilage cushioning the ends of your bones breaks down. It can be the result of tissue weakening as we become older, persistent injuries, and wear and tear. Arthritis cannot be cured, but you can find effective pain management methods with Old Monroe, MO physical therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The humerus, collarbone, and scapula are the bones in the shoulder most susceptible to breaking. They usually happen as the result of falling from a height or high-energy collisions such as being tackles in a football game. The shoulder pain is usually severe, along with substantial 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 are torn into two pieces. These injuries can cause shoulder pain, stingers, weakness, and loss of feeling in your shoulder, arm, or hand. They are commonly caused by high-impact trauma but can also happen because of degenerative conditions.

At times, one injury leads to another, for example a dislocation causing damage to the nerves. If you’re currently suffering from shoulder pain, one of our no-risk, free injury screenings in Old Monroe, MO may help you discover why you’re experiencing the pain. To diagnose shoulder pain a physician in Old Monroe, MO may use a physical examination, an X-Ray, an MRI, a CT scan, arthrogram, and/or arthroscopy. For most injuries or conditions that cause shoulder pain, a tailored treatment plan with knowledgeable physical therapists that specialize in movement health in Old Monroe, MO can be a great way to get you back to the things you love to do the most.

How Do Old Monroe, 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 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 damaged muscles, ligaments, and tendons deeper in the body to stimulate blood flow
• Posture correction to ensure 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 increase and maintain your mobility

Missouri Revised Statute §334.506 dictates that you need a prescription to attend physical therapy appointments, so it’s important to speak to your Old Monroe, MO doctor to see if physical therapy is safe and an effective treatment option for your shoulder pain. Our licensed physical and occupational therapists form a team with your primary care physician to make sure you are getting the care that is safe for your condition.

Other services we offer in Old Monroe, 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

Old Monroe, 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 Old Monroe, MO clients by implementing evidence-backed treatment plans catered to your injury, pain level, age, and the activities you want to get back to. You do not have to delay in getting back to the things you love doing most and a pain-free life. Request an appointment through our website or reach out to our location most convenient for you.