Shoulder Pain in Portage Des Sioux, MO. Those who experience shoulder pain know the limitations it can place on your life. It can make everything from watering the flowers to playing volleyball painful 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 Physical Therapy in Portage Des Sioux, MO, our professional physical therapists create customized treatment modalities, backed by proven research, to get you back to striking out opponents, or just combing your hair pain-free. Allow us to safely and effectively treat your shoulder pain. Schedule an appointment online or find our location nearest you.

The Human Shoulder | Shoulder Pain in Portage Des Sioux, MO

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

1. The glenohumeral (GH) joint is the joint where the humerus (upper arm bone) fits into a relatively small dish called the glenoid. As the ball is 3-4 times larger than the socket, it is the most mobile joint in the body.
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 allows for additional rotation of the shoulder blade.
3. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a plane-style synovial joint located where the clavicle meets the sternum 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 not a true anatomical joint as it does not have ligaments connecting it to bone. It is made up of the shoulder blade and its articulation with the ribcage.

In addition to those four joints, the shoulder consists of:

• the four muscles of the rotator cup that surround the head of the upper arm bone, which are responsible for movement and stabilize the ball of the humerus within the shoulder socket
• the shoulder capsule, a soft tissue sac that surrounds and protects the joints in 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 arteries that pump much-needed blood to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons

In order for the shoulder to function properly the entire complex system must function well. Sufficient blood must flow to the shoulder efficiently to keep oxygen levels and muscles strong and repair minor damage. The muscles must have adequate strength and flexibility, the tendons attaching bone and muscle must be strong, flexible, and free of rips or tears, the ligaments that attach our bones need to be similarly healthy, 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 if shoulder pain or poor shoulder movement is part of your daily life, contact Axes’ physical therapists for a free injury screening.

What’s Behind My Shoulder Pain?

Shoulder pain can be caused by numerous different circumstances, from sports injuries to acute trauma, a work injury from repeated activities to our bodies just getting weaker as we get older. The following are the most common underlying conditions that lead to shoulder pain in Portage Des Sioux, 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 swollen after repeated activities, often occurs at the same time as rotator cuff tendinitis, and can make basic activities like getting dressed incredibly difficult.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis generally occurs because of a tendon becoming irritated. There are two causes of tendinitis:
  • Acute: The result of trauma, repeated throwing, or other overhead activities needed in some competitive and activities and occupations, such as track and field throwing events or lifting and lowering boxes.
  • Chronic: The result of degenerative conditions or the body becoming weaker as we get older.

  The condition causes pain and tenderness just outside the joint.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be acute, like falling on an outstretched arm, or more chronic in nature. They begin with fraying and ultimately tear. People often live with partial thickness tears unknowingly. Full-thickness tears, which go all the way through the tendon, often require surgery. Symptoms include pain with certain movements, pain when sleeping, and a clicking feeling when performing specific motions.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement occurs when your acromion (outer edge of your shoulder blade) rubs against the soft tissue in your shoulder. It often occurs in combination with an injury that causes inflammation in the rotator cuff. Shoulder impingement is rarely caused by overuse, but rather by physical activity.
• 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 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 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 arthritis refers to a range of diagnoses, 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, repeated injuries, and wear and tear. Arthritis cannot be cured, but you can find effective pain management techniques with Portage Des Sioux, MO physical therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The humerus, collarbone, and shoulder blade are the bones in the shoulder most prone to breaking. They usually happen as the result of falling from a height or high-impact collisions such as a car accident. The shoulder pain is usually intense, and the shoulder will experience considerable 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 their electric signals, or the nerves rupture. Axillary nerve and brachial plexus injuries can cause shoulder pain, stingers, numbness, and loss of feeling in your shoulder, arm, or hand. They are commonly caused by sudden trauma but can also happen because of overuse.

Sometimes, injuries are intertwined, for example an impingement that leads to damage to the nerves. If you’re currently suffering from shoulder pain, one of our no-risk, free injury screenings in Portage Des Sioux, MO may help determine the underlying cause. If you’ve sustained a severe injury or have severe shoulder pain, a physician in Portage Des Sioux, MO may use a physical examination, an X-Ray, an MRI, a CT scan, arthrogram, and/or arthroscopy to discover the cause. Most people who experience shoulder pain can find relief with a customized treatment plan with experienced physical therapists that specialize in movement health in Portage Des Sioux, MO can be a great way to return to optimal movement health.

How Do Portage Des Sioux, MO Physical Therapists Treat Shoulder Pain?

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

• 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 offer your shoulder a low-intensity exercise with high-intensity results
• Trigger point dry needling to attack harder-to-reach damaged muscles, ligaments, and tendons to stimulate blood flow
• Posture correction to ensure you are not inadvertently causing your shoulder pain or heal improperly
• Injury prevention so you do not lose your active lifestyle in the future
• Other safe, effective exercises to increase and maintain your mobility

Missouri Law states that you need a prescription for physical therapy, so you need to reach out to your Portage Des Sioux, MO physician to see if physical therapy is rights for your shoulder pain. Our professional 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 Portage Des Sioux, 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

Portage Des Sioux, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

Optimal movement health is essential to not only living our every day life, but to doing the things we love. At Axes, we focus on positive outcomes for our Portage Des Sioux, MO clients by implementing proven 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 activities you love and a pain-free life. Schedule an appointment through our website or reach out to the location nearest you.