Shoulder Pain in Paulina Hills, MO. Those who experience shoulder pain know how debilitating it can be. It can make any daily task from watering the flowers to making a breakaway layup frustrating and, sometimes, unfeasible. But you do not need to live the rest of your life with pain and limited shoulder movement. At Axes PT in Paulina Hills, MO, our licensed physical therapists specialize in personalized treatment modalities, backed by proven research, to get you back to striking out opponents, or just combing your hair pain-free. Allow us to turn your shoulder pain from a daily occurrence into a thing of the past. Make an appointment through our website or call the location most convenient for you.

The Human Shoulder | Shoulder Pain in Paulina Hills, MO

The shoulder is one of the human body’s largest and most complex joints. In actuality, what is referred to as 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. As the top of the upper arm bone 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 clavicle the acromion, the part of the shoulder blade that is the highest part of the shoulder. A plane joint, it allows for additional rotation of the shoulder blade.
3. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a plane-style synovial joint located where the collarbone meets the breastbone at the foundation of the neck. As the only joint that connects the arm to the body, it connects 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 does not have union by fibrous, cartilaginous or synovial tissues. It attaches and allows movement between the shoulder blade and the thoracic cage.

The shoulder is supported and surrounded by:

• the four muscles of the rotator cup that surround the head of the upper arm bone, which allow for movement movement and stabilize and protect the GH joint
• the shoulder capsule, a tough sheath or membrane that encloses the shoulder
• the four shoulder ligaments which provide passive stability while still allowing for a wide range of movements
• the biceps tendon and rotator cuff tendons which attach muscle to bone
• the brachial plexus nerves that allow for the brain and muscles to communicate with each other
• the blood vessels that supply nutrient-rich blood to the shoulder

Optimal shoulder and movement health depends on every part of the system functioning well. Blood must flow freely to the shoulder 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 help support proper structure, 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 if shoulder pain or poor shoulder movement is part of your daily life, contact 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 a car accident, a work injury from overuse to our bodies just getting weaker as we get older. The following are the most common underlying conditions that lead to shoulder pain in Paulina Hills, MO:

• Bursitis — The bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that cushion bones, tendons, and muscles in and around your joints. Bursitis occurs when the bursae because inflamed after repeated activities, often occurs at the same time as rotator cuff tendinitis, and can make basic tasks like brushing your teeth incredibly painful.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis generally occurs because of a tendon becoming irritated. There are two types of tendinitis:
  • Acute: The result of a sudden blow, excessive overhead motions, or other overhead activities needed in some sports and fields of employment, such as swimming or lifting and lowering boxes.
  • Chronic: This can happen because of wear and tear or general weakness as we age.

  The condition causes pain and tenderness just outside the joint.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be acute, such a blow to the shoulder, or wear and tear. They begin with fraying and ultimately tear. A partial thickness tear often goes unnoticed. Full-thickness tears, where the tendon is completely detached from the bone, do not heal by themselves. Associated 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 clicking sensation with certain 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 because of an injury. Shoulder impingement is rarely caused by overuse, but rather by physical activity.
• Shoulder Instability — This happens when the humerus is allowed to move out of the socket when the capsule or ligaments become stretched, torn, or detached, 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 causes or is the result of injury to the surrounding areas of the shoulder. Long-term instability will cause shoulder pain and unsteadiness when performing certain motions.
• Arthritis — While arthritis refers to a range of diagnoses, osteoarthritis is the form that typically affects the shoulder. 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, frequent injuries, and overuse. Arthritis cannot be cured, but you can find effective pain management techniques with Paulina Hills, MO physical and occupational therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The upper arm bone, clavicle, and scapula are the bones in the shoulder most prone to fracture. They are often the result of falling from a height or high-impact collisions such as a car accident. The shoulder pain is immediate and obvious, and the shoulder will experience considerable swelling and bruising.
• Axillary Nerve Injuries or Brachial Plexus Injuries — Nerve damage in the shoulder can occur when nerves are compressed, when scar tissue blocks signals between the brain and shoulder, or the nerves are otherwise damaged. These injuries can cause shoulder pain along with a range of other sensations. They are commonly caused by a sudden blow but can also happen because of wear and tear.

Sometimes, injuries are intertwined, such as instability that leads to impingement. If you’re currently suffering from shoulder pain, one of our no-obligation, free injury screenings in Paulina Hills, MO may help determine the root of it. To diagnose shoulder pain a physician in Paulina Hills, MO may use a physical examination, various imaging techniques, and/or arthroscopy. Most people who experience shoulder pain can find relief with a tailored treatment plan with certified physical therapists that are experts in movement health in Paulina Hills, MO can be a great way to get you back to the things you love to do the most.

How Do Paulina 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, break down scar tissue, and treat the affected area
• Pre- and post-surgical rehabilitation, based on a plan with come up with alongside your surgeon, 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 your body heals
• 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 damaged muscles, ligaments, and tendons to stimulate blood flow
• Posture correction to ensure you do not contribute to your injuries or heal improperly
• Injury prevention so you do not lose your active lifestyle in the future
• Other safe, effective techniques 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 Paulina Hills, MO doctor 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 make sure your treatment plan is safe for your condition.

Other services we offer in Paulina Hills, MO include:

• Soft Tissue Mobilization
• Post Surgical Rehabilitation
• 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

Paulina Hills, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

A healthy shoulder is imperative to not only living our every day life, but to doing the things we love. At Axes, we focus on patient results for our Paulina Hills, MO clients by developing evidence-backed treatment plans based on 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. Make an appointment online or reach out to our location nearest you.