Shoulder Pain in Osage Hills, MO. Those who suffer from shoulder pain know the limitations it can place on your life. It makes everything from watering the flowers to making a breakaway layup painful and, for some of us, unfeasible. But pain and limited shoulder movement does not have to be a part of your everyday life. At Axes PT in Osage Hills, MO, our professional physical therapists create customized treatment modalities, proven to work through research, to get you back to optimal movement health. Allow us to turn your shoulder pain from a daily occurrence into a thing of the past. Make an appointment online or call our location nearest you.

The Anatomy of the Shoulder | Shoulder Pain in Osage Hills, MO

The shoulder is among the largest and most intricate joints we have. In actuality, it is a multiplex of four 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 allows for more movement than any other joint.
2. The acromioclavicular (AC) joint connects the clavicle to the acromion, the part of the shoulder blade that is the highest part of the shoulder. A plane joint, it helps extend the upper extremity from the trunk.
3. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a plane-style synovial joint formed by the collarbone the sternum at the base of the neck. As the only joint that connects the arm to the torso, it coordinates 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 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.

In order to support those four joints, the shoulder consists of:

• the four muscles of the rotator cup covering the head of the humerus, which power movement and stabilize and protect the glenohumeral joint
• the shoulder capsule, a a fluid-filled sac that surrounds and lubricates the joints in the shoulder
• the ligaments of the shoulder which attach bones together 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 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 arteries that supply nutritious blood to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons

Being able to move your shoulder pain free depends on every part of the system being healthy and working together. Blood must be allowed to reach the shoulder keep oxygen levels and muscles strong and stimulate the body’s natural healing processes. The muscles must have adequate strength and flexibility, the tendons attaching bone and muscle must be intact and strong, the ligaments that attach our 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 disruption of the entire system, 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, reach out to Axes’ physical therapists for a complimentary injury screening.

What Causes Shoulder Pain?

As the shoulder has so many moving parts, shoulder pain can have any of a number of root causes, from sports injuries to a car accident, a work injury from overuse to old age. The following are common causes of shoulder pain that our team see in Osage Hills, 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 irritated after repeated activities, often occurs at the same time as rotator cuff tendinitis, and can make basic activities like getting dressed immensely painful.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis generally occurs because of inflammation or irritation of a tendon. There are two types of tendinitis:
  • Acute: This can happen because of trauma, excessive overhead motions, or other overhead activities needed in some sports and occupations, such as tennis or moving objects overhead.
  • Chronic: This can happen because 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 caused by sudden trauma, such falling on an outstretched arm, or more chronic in nature. They usually start with fraying and then tear. A partial thickness tear often goes unnoticed. Complete tears, which pull the tendon off the bone, often require surgery. Common symptoms are having difficulty raising your arm or lifting things you normally can, pain when sleeping, and a popping feeling when performing certain motions.
• 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 is most common in people who are physically active.
• Shoulder Instability — This occurs when the head of the humerus is exits the shoulder socket, and also can be the result of injury or overuse. 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 happens in combination with injury to the surrounding areas of the shoulder. Long-term instability will cause shoulder pain and unsteadiness when performing certain motions.
• Arthritis — While there are at least six kinds of arthritis, the shoulder most commonly experiences osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bones. Common causes include old age, frequent trauma, and wear and tear. Arthritis cannot be cured, but you can find effective pain management methods with Osage Hills, MO physical and occupational therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The humerus, collarbone, and scapula 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 severe, along with substantial swelling and contusions.
• Axillary Nerve Injuries or Brachial Plexus Injuries — Nerve damage in the shoulder is the result of when nerves are impinged on, when scar tissue interferes with signals between the brain and shoulder, or the nerves are otherwise damaged. Axillary nerve and brachial plexus injuries can cause shoulder pain, stingers, numbness, and loss of feeling in your upper extremities. They are usually the result of sudden trauma but can also happen because of wear and tear.

Sometimes, injuries are intertwined, for example how an untreated rotator cuff tear can lead to arthritis. If you’re currently suffering from shoulder pain, one of our no-risk, free injury screenings in Osage Hills, MO may help determine why you’re experiencing the pain. To diagnose shoulder pain a physician in Osage Hills, MO may use a physical examination, various imaging techniques, and/or arthroscopy. Most people who experience shoulder pain can find relief with a customized treatment plan with certified physical therapists that are experts in movement health in Osage Hills, MO can be an effective way to return to a pain-free daily life and the active lifestyle you deserve.

How Do Osage Hills, MO Physical Therapists Treat Shoulder Pain?

Your customized and proven physical therapy treatments may include:

• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization to detect and treat any soft tissue disorders
• Pre- and post-surgical rehabilitation, coordinated together with your doctor, 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 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 soft tissue to encourage the body’s natural healing processes
• Posture correction to make sure you do not contribute to your injuries or do not heal correctly
• Injury prevention so you can keep participating in the activities you love
• Other safe, effective treatment methods to increase and maintain your mobility

Missouri Revised Statute §334.506 dictates that you need a prescription to attend physical therapy appointments, so you need to reach out to your Osage Hills, MO primary care physician to see if physical therapy is safe and an effective treatment option for your shoulder pain. Our professional physical and occupational therapists work alongside your primary care physician to make sure you are getting the care that is safe for your condition.

Other services we offer in Osage Hills, MO include:

• Back Pain Treatment
• Neck Pain Treatment
• 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

Osage Hills, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

Optimal movement health is essential 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 Osage Hills, MO people of all ages by implementing 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 call the location most convenient for you.