Shoulder Pain in Owensville, MO. Those who suffer from shoulder pain know the effect it can have on your life. It can make any daily task from watering the flowers to making a breakaway layup frustrating and, in some cases, not even an option. But pain and limited shoulder movement is usually manageable and beatable with safe and effective treatment. At Axes PT in Owensville, MO, our professional physical therapists create customized treatment plans, backed by proven research, to get you back to optimal movement health. Trust in us to safely and effectively treat your shoulder pain. Schedule an appointment through our website or call the location most convenient for you.

How Does the Shoulder Work? | Shoulder Pain in Owensville, MO

The shoulder is one of the human body’s largest and most intricate joints. In reality, what we call the shoulder joint is made up of four different joints:

1. The glenohumeral (GH) joint is the joint responsible for connecting the upper extremity to the trunk. Because the top of the upper arm bone is 3-4 times larger than the socket, it has the widest range of motion as any other human 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 shoulder blade. A gliding joint, it allows for additional rotation of the shoulder blade.
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 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.

The shoulder is supported and surrounded by:

• the four muscles of the rotator cup that surround the head of the humerus, which are responsible for movement and stabilize the ball of the humerus within the shoulder socket
• the shoulder capsule, a a fluid-filled sac that surrounds and lubricates the joints in the shoulder
• the ligaments of the shoulder which provide passive stability while still allowing for movements in different planes
• the biceps tendon and rotator cuff tendons which connect 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 arteries that supply much-needed blood to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons

In order for the shoulder to function properly every joint, ligament, tendon, muscle, artery, capsule, and nerve must be able to work together. Sufficient blood must flow 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 connecting them to the bones must be strong, flexible, and free of rips or tears, the ligaments connecting bones need to help support proper structure, and the brain and shoulder need to have clear communication with each other. When any of these functions are not being carried out in a healthy way, it can lead to a disruption of the whole network, 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, contact Axes’ physical therapists for a free injury screening.

What Causes Shoulder Pain?

As the shoulder is complex, shoulder pain can have many root causes, 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 common causes of shoulder pain that our team see in Owensville, MO:

• Bursitis — The bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that work as a cushion and gliding surface between muscles, bones, tendons, and skin. Bursitis occurs when the bursae because swollen after repeated activities, often occurs in combination with irritation of the rotator cuff, and can make daily tasks like brushing your teeth exceedingly difficult.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis is typically caused by a tendon becoming irritated. There are two causes of tendinitis:
  • Acute: This can happen because of trauma, excessive throwing, or other overhead activities needed in some competitive and activities and fields of employment, such as throwing overhead or moving objects overhead.
  • Chronic: The result of wear and tear or the body becoming weaker as we age.

  Symptoms include aching, tenderness, and slight swelling.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be caused by acute injuries, such falling on an outstretched arm, or repetitive movements or old age. They usually start with fraying and then tear. People often live with partial thickness tears obliviously. Complete tears, which go all the way through the tendon, often require surgery. Common symptoms are pain when performing certain movements, pain when lying on the side of the affected shoulder, and a popping sensation when performing specific motions.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement is the result of the rotator cuff and bursae 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 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 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. Long-term 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 typically suffers from osteoarthritis. It occurs when the cartilage that acts as a shock absorber between your bones weakens and wears away. It can be the result of old age, repeated injuries, and overuse. Arthritis cannot be cured, but effective pain management is possible with Owensville, MO physical and occupational therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The upper arm bone, clavicle, and shoulder blade are the most commonly broken bones in the shoulder. They usually happen as 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 immediate and obvious, 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 impinged on, when scar tissue blocks signals between the brain and shoulder, or the nerves burst. Axillary nerve and brachial plexus injuries can cause shoulder pain, stingers, numbness, and loss of sensation in your upper extremities. They are usually the result of a sudden blow but can also happen because of overuse.

Sometimes, injuries are connected, such as an impingement that leads to damage to the nerves. If you’re currently suffering from shoulder pain, one of our no-obligation, free injury screenings in Owensville, MO may help determine the underlying cause. To diagnose shoulder pain a physician in Owensville, MO may use a physical examination, an X-Ray, an MRI, a CT scan, arthrogram, and/or arthroscopy. Most people who experience shoulder pain can find relief with a tailored treatment plan with knowledgeable physical therapists that specialize in movement health in Owensville, MO can be a great way to return to the activities you love.

How Do Owensville, MO Physical Therapists Treat Shoulder Pain?

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

• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization to identify soft tissue restrictions, break down scar tissue, and treat the affected area
• Pre- and post-surgical rehabilitation, based on a plan with come up with alongside your physician, 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 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 encourage the body’s natural healing processes
• Posture correction to ensure you do not contribute to your injuries or do not heal correctly
• Injury prevention so you and your shoulder and stay healthy and active
• Other safe, effective treatment methods to increase and maintain your mobility

Missouri Revised Statute §334.506 states that you need a prescription to attend physical therapy appointments, so you need to reach out to your Owensville, MO primary care physician to see if physical therapy is safe and an effective treatment option for your shoulder pain. Our licensed physical and occupational therapists are responsible and work closely with your primary care physician to make sure you are getting the care that fits into your overall treatment plan.

Other services we offer in Owensville, 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

Owensville, 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 patient results for Owensville, MO people of all ages by creating 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 things you love doing most and a pain-free life. Make an appointment online or find our location nearest you.