Shoulder Pain in South County, MO. If you live with shoulder pain, you know how debilitating it can be. It can make any daily task from strapping on a seatbelt to playing volleyball frustrating and, for some of us, unfeasible. But pain and limited shoulder movement does not have to be a part of your everyday life. At Axes Physical Therapy in South County, MO, our professional physical therapists create customized treatment modalities, proven to work through research, to get you back to optimal movement health. Trust in us to make your shoulder pain a long-forgotten memory. Make an appointment through our website or find our location nearest you.

How Does the Shoulder Work? | Shoulder Pain in South County, MO

The shoulder is one of the the largest and most intricate joints we have. In actuality, what is referred to as the shoulder joint is made up of four different joints:

1. The glenohumeral (GH) joint is a ball and socket joint where the humerus (upper arm bone) fits into the socket of the glenoid. Given the relatively shallow dish, it has the widest range of motion as any other human joint.
2. The acromioclavicular (AC) joint is formed by the junction of the clavicle 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 plane-style synovial joint located where the clavicle meets the breastbone at the bottom of the neck. This joint is where the arm and torso meet, it connects the movement of the upper limb with the core of your body.
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.

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 humerus, which allow for movement movement and keep the ball of the upper arm bone stable
• the shoulder capsule, a tough sheath or membrane 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 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 pump much-needed blood to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons

Optimal shoulder and movement health depends on every part of the system being healthy and working together. Blood must flow freely to the shoulder maintain healthy soft tissue and repair minor damage. The muscles strong enough to move and flexible enough to safely make those movements, the tendons attaching bone and muscle must be strong, flexible, and free of rips or tears, the ligaments connecting bones need to be similarly healthy, and messages most be able to be sent and received between the brain and shoulder. When any of these parts are not at optimal health, it can lead to a breakdown of the whole complex, and anywhere from nagging to intense shoulder pain or loss of function. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain or any other symptoms of a shoulder injury, contact Axes’ physical therapists for a no-risk, no-obligation injury screening.

What Causes Shoulder Pain?

Shoulder pain can be caused by a variety of circumstances, from sports injuries to falls, a work injury from repeated activities to old age. The following are common causes of shoulder pain that our physical and occupations therapists see in South County, MO:

• Bursitis — The bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that work as a cushion and gliding surface between muscles, bones, tendons, and skin. Bursitis the result of the bursae becoming irritated after overuse, often occurs at the same time as rotator cuff tendinitis, and can make daily activities like laying down to go to sleep tremendously painful.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis is typically caused by inflammation or irritation of a tendon. There are two causes of tendinitis:
  • Acute: The result of trauma, excessive overhead motions, or other overhead activities common in some competitive and activities and fields of employment, such as volleyball or moving objects overhead.
  • Chronic: The result of degenerative conditions or the body becoming weaker as we age.

  The condition causes pain and tenderness just outside the joint.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be caused by sudden trauma, like 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. Full-thickness tears, where the tendon is no longer attached whatsoever to the bone, often require surgery. Symptoms include pain when performing specific movements, pain when sleeping, and a cracking feeling when performing specific motions.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement describes when your acromion (outer edge of your shoulder blade) irritates the rotator cuff and bursae. It often occurs alongside an injury that causes inflammation in the rotator cuff. Shoulder impingement is rarely caused by overuse, but rather by physical activity.
• Shoulder Instability — This happens when the head of the humerus is allowed to move out of the socket when the capsule or ligaments become damaged, and also can happen suddenly or from 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 causes or is the result of injury to the surrounding areas of the shoulder. Long-term instability will cause shoulder pain and a sense of the shoulder “giving way.”
• Arthritis — While there are at least six types of arthritis, osteoarthritis is the condition that typically affects the shoulder. It is the result of the cartilage cushioning the ends of your bones degenerates. It can be the result of tissue weakening as we become older, frequent injuries, and wear and tear. There is no cure for arthritis, but you can find effective pain management methods with South County, MO physical and occupational therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The humerus, clavicle, 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 a car accident. The shoulder pain is usually significant, and the shoulder will experience substantial swelling and contusions.
• Axillary Nerve Injuries or Brachial Plexus Injuries — Nerve damage in the shoulder can occur when nerves are compressed, when scar tissue blocks their electric signals, or the nerves rupture. These injuries can cause shoulder pain, stingers, tingling, and loss of sensation in your upper extremities. They are commonly caused by a sudden blow but can also occur because of degenerative conditions.

At times, one injury leads to another, for example a dislocation causing damage to the nerves. If you’re currently suffering from shoulder pain, one of our safe, free injury screenings in South County, MO may help you discover the root of it. To diagnose shoulder pain a physician in South County, 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 professional physical therapists that are experts in movement health in South County, MO can be a great way to get you back to the things you love to do the most.

Treating Your Shoulder Pain in South County, MO

Your personalized and proven physical therapy treatments 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 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 work while your body heals
• Blood flow restriction training to offer your shoulder a low-intensity exercise with high-intensity benefits
• Trigger point dry needling to target damaged soft tissue deeper in the body to encourage the body’s natural healing processes
• Posture correction to ensure you do not contribute to your injuries or heal improperly
• Injury prevention so you can keep participating in the activities you love
• Other safe, effective exercises to optimize your mobility

Missouri Law stipulates that you need a prescription to attend physical therapy appointments, so it’s important to speak to your South County, MO primary care physician 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 fits into your overall treatment plan.

Other services we offer in South County, 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

South County, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

A healthy shoulder is essential to not only living our every day life, but to doing the things we love. At Axes, we focus on patient results for our South County, MO clients by developing proven treatment plans based on your injury, pain level, age, and desired activity level. Do not wait to get back to the things you love doing most and a pain-free life. Request an appointment through our website or find the location nearest you.