Shoulder Pain in Shrewsbury, MO. If you live with shoulder pain, you know how hard it can be to manage. It can make any basic task from strapping on a seatbelt to serving an ace on the tennis court frustrating and, for some of us, impossible. But you do not need to live the rest of your life with pain and limited shoulder movement. At Axes PT in Shrewsbury, MO, our experienced physical therapists specialize in personalized treatment modalities, proven to work through research, to get you back to striking out opponents, or just combing your hair pain-free. Let us help you turn your shoulder pain from a daily occurrence into a thing of the past. Schedule an appointment online or call our location nearest you.

The Human Shoulder | Shoulder Pain in Shrewsbury, MO

The shoulder is among human body’s largest and most intricate joints. In actuality, it is a complex of four joints:

1. The glenohumeral (GH) joint is the joint where the humerus (upper arm bone) fits into a relatively small dish called the glenoid. Given the relatively shallow dish, it has the widest range of motion as any other human joint.
2. The acromioclavicular (AC) joint connects the collarbone to the acromion, the bony tip on the outer edge of the shoulder blade. A plane style synovial joint, it allows for additional rotation of the shoulder blade.
3. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a plane-style synovial joint formed by the collarbone the breastbone at the base 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 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 addition to those four joints, the shoulder consists of:

• the four muscles of the rotator cup covering the head of the humerus, which allow for movement movement and stabilize and protect the GH joint
• the shoulder capsule, a a fluid-filled sac that surrounds and lubricates the shoulder
• the four shoulder ligaments which attach bones together and provide stability for the capsule
• the biceps tendon and rotator cuff tendons which allow muscles to power the bones
• the brachial plexus nerves that allow for the brain and muscles to communicate with each other
• the blood vessels 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 function well. Blood must flow freely to the shoulder maintain healthy soft tissue and stimulate the body’s natural healing processes. The muscles must have adequate strength and flexibility, the tendons connecting them to the bones must be intact and strong, the ligaments connecting bones need to be similarly healthy, and the nerves need to have a strong and secure connection to the brain. When any one of the parts of the shoulder is damaged, inflamed, or otherwise irritated, it can lead to a disruption of the whole complex, 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, 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 a car accident, a work injury from repeated activities to our bodies just getting weaker as we get older. The following are common causes of shoulder pain that our team see in Shrewsbury, 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 irritated after overuse, often occurs at the same time as irritation of the rotator cuff, and can make basic activities like getting dressed tremendously painful.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis generally occurs because of inflammation or irritation of a tendon. There are two causes of tendinitis:
  • Acute: This can happen because of trauma, repeated overhead motions, or other overhead activities needed in some competitive and activities and fields of employment, such as volleyball or lifting boxes overhead.
  • Chronic: The result of wear and tear or general weakness as we get weaker.

  The condition causes pain and tenderness just outside the joint.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be caused by sudden trauma, such a blow to the shoulder, or more chronic in nature. The tendon is initially frayed before becoming torn. People often live with partial tears unknowingly. Complete tears, which pull the tendon off 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 specific movements.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement describes when your acromion (outer edge of your scapula) rubs against the soft tissue in your shoulder. It is often the result of rotator cuff swellings because of an injury. Shoulder impingement occurs the most in people who play sports or are otherwise active.
• Shoulder Instability — This happens when the ball of 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. 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 cause shoulder pain and unsteadiness when performing certain motions.
• Arthritis — While there are at least six kinds of arthritis, osteoarthritis is the form that typically affects the shoulder. It is the result of the cartilage cushioning the ends of your bones breaks down. It can be the result of old age, persistent trauma, and overuse. There is no cure for arthritis, but you can find effective pain management methods with Shrewsbury, MO physical and occupational therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The humerus, collarbone, and scapula are the most commonly broken bones in the shoulder. They are often the result of falling from a height or high-impact collisions such as being tackles in a football game. The shoulder pain is usually intense, along with considerable 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 torn into two pieces. These injuries can cause shoulder pain, stingers, weakness, and loss of sensation in your upper extremities. They are commonly caused by sudden 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 experiencing shoulder pain, one of our no-obligation, free injury screenings in Shrewsbury, MO may help you discover why you’re experiencing the pain. To diagnose shoulder pain a physician in Shrewsbury, MO may use a physical examination, various imaging techniques, and/or arthroscopy. For most injuries or conditions that cause shoulder pain, a customized treatment plan with certified physical therapists that are experts in movement health in Shrewsbury, MO can be an effective way to get you back to the activities you love.

Treating Your Shoulder Pain in Shrewsbury, MO

Your customized and proven physical therapy treatments may include:

• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization to detect and treat any soft tissue disorders
• 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 allow you to participate in physical activity or go back to work while you are still recovering
• Blood flow restriction training to strengthen muscles while reducing overall stress on the shoulder
• Trigger point dry needling to attack irritated soft tissue deeper in the body to encourage the body’s natural healing processes
• Posture correction to make sure you are not inadvertently causing your shoulder pain or do not heal correctly
• Injury prevention so you can keep participating in the activities you love
• Other safe, effective treatment methods to increase and maintain your mobility

Missouri Law requires a prescription to attend physical therapy appointments, so it’s important to speak to your Shrewsbury, MO physician to see if physical therapy is safe and an effective treatment option for your shoulder pain. Our professional physical and occupational therapists are responsible and work closely with your primary care physician to make sure your treatment plan is safe for your condition.

Other services we offer in Shrewsbury, 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

Shrewsbury, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

A healthy shoulder is important to not only carrying out daily tasks with ease, but to keeping up the active lifestyles we desire. At Axes, we focus on positive outcomes for Shrewsbury, MO residents 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 things you love doing most and a pain-free life. Schedule an appointment online or call the location most convenient for you.