Shoulder Pain in Park Hills, MO. If you live with shoulder pain, you know the effect it can have on your life. It makes everything from strapping on a seatbelt to playing volleyball frustrating and, for certain people, not even an option. But you do not need to live the rest of your life with pain and limited shoulder movement. At Axes PT in Park Hills, MO, our professional physical therapists create tailored treatment plans, backed by proven research, to get you back to the activities you love most. Let us help you make your shoulder pain an ancient memory. Request an appointment through our website or reach out to our location most convenient for you.

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

The shoulder is among the largest and most intricate joints we have. In reality, it is made up of four independent smaller joints:

1. The glenohumeral (GH) joint is the joint where the humerus (upper arm bone) fits into a relatively small dish called the glenoid. Because the ball is 3-4 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 part of the scapula that is the highest part of the shoulder. A plane joint, it allows you to outstretch your arm.
3. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a gliding joint located where the clavicle meets the breastbone at the foundation of the neck. This joint is where the arm and torso meet, it it ensures your arm and body move in coordination.
4. The scapulothoracic (ST) “joint” is more of a “floating” joint as it does not have does not have union by fibrous, cartilaginous or synovial tissues. It is made up of the shoulder blade and its articulation with the ribcage.

The shoulder is supported and surrounded by:

• the four muscles of the rotator cup covering the head of the humerus, which power movement and stabilize the ball of the humerus within the shoulder socket
• the shoulder capsule, a soft tissue sac that encloses the joints in the shoulder
• the four shoulder ligaments which provide passive stability while still allowing for movements in different planes
• the tendons in the biceps and shoulder which allow muscles to power the bones
• 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 arteries that supply nutritious 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 reach to the shoulder efficiently to keep oxygen levels and muscles strong 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 intact and strong, the ligaments that attach our bones need to be similarly healthy, and the nerves need to have a strong and secure connection to the brain. When any of these parts are not at optimal health, it often causes shoulder pain and movement problems. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain or any other symptoms of a shoulder injury, reach out to 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 falls, a work injury from overuse to our bodies just getting weaker as we get older. Below are the most common underlying conditions that lead to shoulder pain in Park 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 inflamed after overuse, often occurs at the same time as shoulder impingement, and can make basic activities like getting in and out of cars incredibly painful.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis is typically caused by a tendon becoming irritated. It typically falls into one of two categories:
  • Acute: The result of a sudden blow, repeated overhead motions, or other overhead activities needed in some competitive and activities and occupations, such as swimming or lifting boxes above your head.
  • Chronic: This can happen because of degenerative conditions or general weakness as we age.

  Symptoms include smarting pain, tenderness, and slight swelling.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be acute, such lifting an incredibly heavy object, or repetitive movements or old age. They begin with fraying and ultimately tear. A partial thickness tear often goes unnoticed. Full-thickness tears, which pull the tendon off the bone, do not heal by themselves. Common symptoms are having difficulty raising your arm or lifting things you normally can, pain when lying on the side of the affected shoulder, and a grinding feeling when performing certain movements.
• 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 rarely caused by overuse, and is most common in athletes or others who engage in physical activity.
• Shoulder Instability — This happens when the head of the upper arm bone is exits the shoulder socket, and also can be the result of injury or wear and tear. 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. Chronic instability will result in shoulder pain and a sense of the shoulder “giving way.”
• Arthritis — While there are at least six 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 overuse. There is no cure for arthritis, but effective pain management can be found with Park Hills, MO physical therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The upper arm bone, collarbone, and scapula are the bones in the shoulder most susceptible to fracture. They are often the result of falling from a height or forceful collisions such as being tackles in a football game. The shoulder pain is immediate and obvious, and the shoulder will experience substantial swelling and contusions.
• Axillary Nerve Injuries or Brachial Plexus Injuries — Nerve damage in the shoulder is the result of when nerves are stretched, when scar tissue interferes with their electric signals, or the nerves are otherwise damaged. These injuries can cause shoulder pain, stingers, numbness, and loss of feeling in your upper extremities. They are usually the result of high-impact trauma but can also occur because of wear and tear.

At times, one injury leads to another, for example instability that leads to impingement. If you’re currently suffering from shoulder pain, one of our safe, free injury screenings in Park Hills, MO may help you discover the root of it. If you’ve sustained a severe injury or have severe shoulder pain, a physician in Park Hills, MO may use a physical examination, an X-Ray, an MRI, a CT scan, arthrogram, and/or arthroscopy to discover the cause. For most injuries or conditions that cause shoulder pain, a personalized treatment plan with professional physical therapists that are experts in movement health in Park Hills, MO can be an effective way to return to the activities you love.

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

Your personalized and evidence-backed physical therapy treatment plan may include:

• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization to identify soft tissue restrictions, smooth out scar tissue, and treat the affected area
• Pre- and post-surgical rehabilitation, coordinated together with your physician, if you need surgery to relieve your shoulder pain
• Kinesio Taping® to provide support for your shoulder and keep you safe as you participate in sports or work while your body heals
• Blood flow restriction training to offer your shoulder a low-intensity exercise with high-intensity results
• Trigger point dry needling to attack damaged muscles, ligaments, and tendons deeper in the body to stimulate blood flow
• Posture correction to make sure you are not inadvertently causing your shoulder pain or heal improperly
• Injury prevention so you can keep participating in the activities you love
• Other safe, effective treatment methods to optimize your mobility

Missouri Revised Statute §334.506 requires a prescription to attend physical therapy appointments, so you need to reach out to your Park 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 form a team with your primary care physician to make sure your treatment plan fits into your overall treatment plan.

Other services we offer in Park Hills, 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

Park Hills, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

A well-functioning shoulder is important to not only living our every day life, but to doing the things we love. At Axes, we focus on positive outcomes for Park Hills, MO people of all ages by implementing evidence-backed 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 find the location most convenient for you.