Shoulder Pain in St. Clair, MO. If you live with shoulder pain, you know how hard it can be to manage. It can make everything from brushing your teeth to playing volleyball frustrating and, sometimes, impossible. But pain and limited shoulder movement is usually manageable and beatable with safe and effective treatment. At Axes PT in St. Clair, MO, our licensed physical therapists specialize in customized treatment modalities, backed by proven research, to get you back to striking out opponents, or just combing your hair pain-free. Trust in us to safely and effectively treat your shoulder pain. Schedule an appointment online or reach out to the location most convenient for you.

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

The shoulder is one of the the largest and most complex 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 responsible for connecting the upper extremity to the trunk. As the top of the upper arm bone is several times larger than the socket, it is the most mobile joint in the body.
2. The acromioclavicular (AC) joint is formed by the junction of the collarbone 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 gliding joint located where the collarbone meets the sternum at the foundation of the neck. This joint is where the arm and body meet, 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 does not have union by fibrous, cartilaginous or synovial tissues. It attaches and allows movement between the shoulder blade and the thoracic cage.

The shoulder is supported and surrounded by:

• the four muscles of the rotator cup that surround the head of the humerus, which are responsible for movement and stabilize the ball of the humerus within the shoulder socket
• the shoulder capsule, a tough sheath or membrane that encloses the joints in the shoulder
• the ligaments of the shoulder which help connect bone to bone and help reinforce the capsule
• the tendons in the biceps and shoulder which connect muscle to bone
• the brachial plexus nerves that allow the brain to tell the shoulder and arm to move and the shoulder to tell the brain when it feels pain or other sensory information
• the arteries that supply nutrient-rich 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 be allowed to reach the shoulder maintain healthy soft tissue and stimulate the body’s natural recovery processes. The muscles must have adequate strength and flexibility, the tendons attaching bone and muscle must be intact and strong, the ligaments that attach our bones need to help support proper structure, 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 often causes shoulder pain and movement problems. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain or any other symptoms of a shoulder injury, reach out to Axes’ physical therapists for a no-risk, no-obligation 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 the most common underlying conditions that lead to shoulder pain in St. Clair, 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 occurs when the bursae because inflamed after overuse, often occurs in combination with shoulder impingement, and can make daily activities like carrying groceries immensely painful.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis is typically caused by a tendon becoming irritated. There are two causes of tendinitis:
  • Acute: The result of trauma, excessive overhead motions, or other overhead activities common in some sports and occupations, such as swimming or lifting and lowering objects.
  • Chronic: The result of degenerative conditions or general weakness as we get weaker.

  The condition causes pain and tenderness just outside the joint.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be acute, such lifting an incredibly heavy object, or more chronic in nature. The tendon is initially frayed before becoming torn. People often live with partial tears unaware. Complete tears, where the tendon is no longer attached whatsoever to the bone, do not heal by themselves. Symptoms include 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 with specific movements.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement is the result of the rotator cuff and bursae rubbing against your shoulder blade. It is often the result of rotator cuff swellings after an injury. Shoulder impingement is most common in people who are physically active.
• Shoulder Instability — This occurs when the ball of the upper arm bone 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 causes or is the result of injury to the supporting soft tissue of the shoulder. Long-term instability will result in shoulder pain and unsteadiness when performing certain motions.
• Arthritis — While arthritis refers to a range of diagnoses, osteoarthritis is the condition that typically affects the shoulder. It is the result of the cartilage cushioning the ends of your bones breaks down. Common causes include tissue weakening as we become older, persistent injuries, and overuse. Arthritis cannot be cured, but effective pain management is possible with St. Clair, MO physical therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The upper arm bone, collarbone, and scapula are the most commonly broken bones in the shoulder. They usually happen as 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 severe, along with considerable inflammation and bruising.
• Axillary Nerve Injuries or Brachial Plexus Injuries — Nerve damage in the shoulder can occur when nerves are impinged on, when scar tissue interferes with communication between the brain and shoulder, or the nerves are otherwise damaged. These injuries can cause shoulder pain along with a range of other sensations. They are commonly caused by a sudden blow but can also occur because of wear and tear.

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 safe, free injury screenings in St. Clair, MO may help determine the root of it. If you’ve sustained a severe injury or have severe shoulder pain, a physician in St. Clair, MO may use a physical examination, various imaging techniques, and/or arthroscopy to discover the cause. Most people who experience shoulder pain can find recovery with a customized treatment plan with professional physical therapists that specialize in movement health in St. Clair, MO can be a successful way to return to optimal movement health.

Treating Your Shoulder Pain in St. Clair, MO

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

• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization to identify soft tissue restrictions, smooth out scar tissue, and treat the affected area
• Pre- and post-surgical rehabilitation, based on a plan with come up with alongside your surgeon, if you need surgery to relieve your shoulder pain
• Kinesio Taping® to provide support for your shoulder 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 stimulate blood flow
• Posture correction to ensure you do not contribute to your injuries or heal improperly
• Injury prevention so you and your shoulder and stay healthy and active
• Other safe, effective treatment methods to optimize your mobility

Missouri Revised Statute §334.506 requires a prescription to attend physical therapy appointments, so you need to reach out to your St. Clair, MO physician to see if physical therapy is safe and an effective treatment option for your shoulder pain. Our licensed physical and occupational therapists form a team with your primary care physician to ensure your treatment plan is safe for your condition.

Other services we offer in St. Clair, 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. Clair, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

Optimal movement health is imperative to not only living our every day life, but to doing the things we love. At Axes, we focus on patient results for St. Clair, MO residents by creating proven treatment plans catered to your injury, pain level, age, and desired activity level. You do not have to delay in getting back to the activities you love and a pain-free life. Make an appointment online or find the location nearest you.