Shoulder Pain in Sherman, MO. If you live with shoulder pain, you know the limitations it can place on your life. It can make everything from watering the flowers to serving an ace on the tennis court frustrating and, sometimes, 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 Sherman, MO, our licensed physical therapists specialize in customized treatment modalities, proven to work through research, to get you back to optimal movement health. Let us help you turn your shoulder pain from a daily occurrence into a thing of the past. Request an appointment online or find the location most convenient for you.

The Anatomy of the Shoulder | Shoulder Pain in Sherman, 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 a ball and socket joint responsible for connecting the upper extremity to the trunk. Because the the top of the humerus is several times larger than the socket, it has the widest range of motion as any other human joint.
2. The acromioclavicular (AC) joint connects the collarbone to the acromion, the part of the scapula that is the highest part of the shoulder. A gliding joint, it helps extend the upper extremity from the trunk.
3. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a plane-style synovial 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 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 is made up of:

• the four muscles of the rotator cup covering the head of the upper arm bone, which allow for movement movement and keep the head of the humerus firmly within the shallow socket of the shoulder
• the shoulder capsule, a soft tissue sac that surrounds and protects the shoulder
• the ligaments of the shoulder which help connect bone to bone and provide stability for the capsule
• the tendons in the biceps and shoulder which connect muscle to bone
• 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 pump much-needed blood to the shoulder

Proper shoulder strength, flexibility, and movement depends on every part of the system being healthy and working together. Sufficient blood must flow 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 strong, flexible, and free of rips or tears, the ligaments connecting bones need to help maintain structure, and the brain and shoulder need to have clear communication with each other. 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, contact Axes’ physical therapists for a free injury screening.

What’s Behind My 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 acute trauma, a work injury from overuse to our bodies just getting weaker as we get older. The following are common causes of shoulder pain that our team see in Sherman, 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 irritated after overuse, often occurs at the same time as shoulder impingement, and can make basic tasks like laying down for bed exceedingly painful.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis generally occurs because of a tendon becoming irritated. There are two types of tendinitis:
  • Acute: The result of trauma, excessive throwing, or other overhead activities needed in some sports and fields of employment, such as track and field throwing events or moving objects above your head.
  • Chronic: This can happen because of degenerative conditions 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 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, where the tendon is completely detached from the bone, often require surgery. 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 sensation when performing certain motions.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement describes when your acromion (outer edge of your scapula) irritates the rotator cuff and bursae. 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 occurs 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 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 is accompanied by injury to the supporting soft tissue of the shoulder. Long-term instability will cause shoulder pain and a sense of the shoulder “giving way.”
• Arthritis — While there are many types of arthritis, osteoarthritis is the condition that typically affects the shoulder. Osteoarthritis is the degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bones. It can be the result of tissue weakening as we become older, persistent injuries, and wear and tear. Arthritis cannot be cured, but you can find effective pain management techniques with Sherman, MO physical and occupational therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The humerus, clavicle, and scapula are the most commonly broken bones in the shoulder. They are often the result of falling a significant distance or onto a hard surface or high-impact collisions such as a car accident. 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 can occur when nerves are stretched, when scar tissue interferes with their electric signals, or the nerves burst. Axillary nerve and brachial plexus injuries can cause shoulder pain along with a range of other sensations. They are commonly caused by high-impact trauma but can also occur because of overuse.

At times, one injury leads to another, such as how an untreated rotator cuff tear can lead to arthritis. If you’re currently suffering from shoulder pain, one of our no-obligation, free injury screenings in Sherman, MO may help you discover the underlying cause. To diagnose shoulder pain a physician in Sherman, MO may use a physical examination, an X-Ray, an MRI, a CT scan, arthrogram, and/or arthroscopy. For most injuries or conditions that cause shoulder pain, a customized treatment plan with licensed physical therapists and movement health specialists in Sherman, MO can be a successful way to get you back to the things you love to do the most.

How Do Sherman, MO Physical Therapists Treat Shoulder Pain?

Your personalized and proven physical therapy may include any one or a variety of different treatment plans:

• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization to detect and treat any problems with your muscles, ligaments, or tendons
• Pre- and post-surgical rehabilitation, based on a plan with come up with alongside your doctor, 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 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 harder-to-reach damaged soft tissue to encourage the body’s natural healing processes
• Posture correction to ensure you are not inadvertently causing your shoulder pain or do not heal correctly
• Injury prevention so you do not lose your active lifestyle in the future
• Other safe, effective techniques to optimize your mobility

Missouri Law stipulates that you need a prescription for physical therapy, so it’s important to speak to your Sherman, MO primary care physician to see if physical therapy is rights for your shoulder pain. Our experienced physical and occupational therapists form a team with your primary care physician to ensure you are getting the care that is safe for your condition.

Other services we offer in Sherman, MO include:

• 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
• Beginner Running Program
• Chronic Pain Treatment

Sherman, 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 positive outcomes for Sherman, MO people of all ages by developing proven treatment plans based on your injury, pain level, age, and desired activity level. Do not wait to get back to the activities you love and a pain-free life. Request an appointment online or find the location nearest you.