Shoulder Pain in St. Charles, MO. Those who suffer from shoulder pain know how debilitating it can be. It can make everything from driving to making a breakaway layup frustrating and, in some cases, not even an option. But you do not need to live the rest of your life with pain and limited shoulder movement. At Axes Physical Therapy in St. Charles, MO, our licensed physical therapists create customized treatment plans, proven to work through research, to get you back to optimal movement health. Trust in us to safely and effectively treat your shoulder pain. Request an appointment through our website or find our location nearest you.

The Human Shoulder | Shoulder Pain in St. Charles, MO

The shoulder is among the largest and most complex joints we have. In actuality, it is a compound 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 allows for more movement than any other joint.
2. The acromioclavicular (AC) joint connects the clavicle to the acromion, the part of the scapula that is the highest part of the shoulder. A plane joint, it helps extend the upper extremity from the trunk.
3. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a gliding joint located where the clavicle meets the sternum at the bottom of the neck. As the only joint that connects the arm to the torso, 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 typical joint characteristics. It is made up of the scapula 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 and protect the GH joint
• the shoulder capsule, a soft tissue sac that encloses 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 attach muscle to bone
• the brachial plexus nerves that allow for the brain and muscles to communicate with each other
• the blood vessels that pump much-needed blood to the shoulder

Being able to move your shoulder pain free depends on every part of the system functioning well. Blood must be allowed to reach the shoulder maintain healthy soft tissue 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 connecting bones need to be similarly healthy, and the brain and shoulder need to have clear communication with each other. When any one of the parts of the shoulder is damaged, inflamed, or otherwise irritated, 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 Causes Shoulder Pain?

As the shoulder is complex, shoulder pain can have any of a number of root causes, from sports injuries to a car accident, 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 St. Charles, 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 inflamed after repeated activities, often occurs in association with rotator cuff tendinitis, and can make basic activities like getting in and out of cars exceedingly difficult.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis generally occurs because of a tendon becoming irritated. There are two causes of tendinitis:
  • Acute: The result of a sudden blow, repeated overhead motions, or other overhead activities needed in some sports and fields of employment, such as tennis or lifting and lowering boxes.
  • Chronic: This can happen because of wear and tear or general weakness as we get weaker.

  Symptoms include aching, tenderness, and slight swelling.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be caused by sudden trauma, such lifting an incredibly heavy object, or repetitive movements or old age. They begin with fraying and ultimately tear. A partial thickness tear often goes unnoticed. Complete tears, where the tendon is no longer attached whatsoever to the bone, do not heal by themselves. Symptoms include pain when performing certain movements, pain when lying on the side of the affected shoulder, and a popping feeling with certain movements.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement is the result of the rotator cuff and bursae rubbing against your shoulder blade. It often occurs in combination with an injury that causes inflammation in the rotator cuff. Shoulder impingement is most common in people who play sports or are otherwise active.
• Shoulder Instability — This happens when the humerus is exits the shoulder socket, and also can happen suddenly or from wear and tear. Dislocations can be repeated and partial or the entire bone coming 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 arthritis refers to a range of diagnoses, osteoarthritis is the form that typically affects the shoulder. It is the result of the cartilage cushioning the ends of your bones degenerates. Common causes include old age, repeated trauma, and overuse. Arthritis cannot be cured, but effective pain management is possible with St. Charles, MO physical and occupational therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The upper arm bone, clavicle, and shoulder blade 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-energy collisions such as a car accident. The shoulder pain is usually intense, and the shoulder will experience considerable inflammation 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 blocks communication between the brain and shoulder, or the nerves are torn into two pieces. Axillary nerve and brachial plexus injuries can cause shoulder pain, stingers, tingling, and loss of feeling in your upper extremities. They are commonly caused by high-impact trauma but can also occur because of degenerative conditions.

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 St. Charles, MO may help determine the underlying cause. To diagnose shoulder pain a physician in St. Charles, MO may use a physical examination, various imaging techniques, and/or arthroscopy. For most injuries or conditions that cause shoulder pain, a tailored treatment plan with certified physical therapists that specialize in movement health in St. Charles, MO can be a great way to return to a pain-free daily life and the active lifestyle you deserve.

Treating Your Shoulder Pain in St. Charles, MO

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

• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization to detect and treat any problems with your muscles, ligaments, or tendons
• Pre- and post-surgical rehabilitation, coordinated together with your surgeon, if your shoulder pain was caused by an injury that needed surgery to correct
• Kinesio Taping® to provide support for your shoulder and allow you to 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 harder-to-reach irritated soft tissue to stimulate blood flow
• Posture correction to make sure 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 treatment methods to optimize your mobility

Missouri Revised Statute §334.506 requires a prescription for physical therapy, so you need to reach out to your St. Charles, MO physician to see if physical therapy is rights 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 St. Charles, 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

St. Charles, 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 positive outcomes for St. Charles, MO residents by developing evidence-backed treatment plans catered to your injury, pain level, age, and how physically active you need to be. You do not have to delay in getting back to the things you love doing most and a pain-free life. Schedule an appointment through our website or call our location most convenient for you.