Shoulder Pain in St. Genevieve, MO. If you live with shoulder pain, you know how debilitating it can be. It makes any basic task from brushing your teeth to playing volleyball frustrating and, for some of us, impossible. But you do not have to accept pain and limited shoulder movement. At Axes Physical Therapy in St. Genevieve, MO, our experienced physical therapists specialize in tailored treatment plans, proven to work through research, to get you back to striking out opponents, or just combing your hair pain-free. Trust in us to turn your shoulder pain from a daily occurrence into a thing of the past. Schedule an appointment through our website or find the location most convenient for you.

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

The shoulder is one of the human body’s largest and most complex joints. In reality, 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. Given the relatively shallow 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 gliding joint, it allows you to outstretch your arm.
3. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a gliding joint located where the clavicle meets the breastbone at the bottom of the neck. As the only joint that connects the arm to the body, it links 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 typical joint characteristics. It is made up of the scapula and its articulation with the ribcage.

In order to support those four joints, the shoulder consists of:

• the four muscles of the rotator cup that surround the head of the humerus, which are responsible for movement and keep the head of the upper arm bone firmly within the shallow socket of the shoulder
• the shoulder capsule, a a fluid-filled sac that surrounds and lubricates the shoulder
• the four shoulder ligaments which provide passive stability while still allowing for movements in different planes
• the tendons in the biceps and shoulder which allow muscles to power the bones
• 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 pump much-needed blood to the shoulder

In order for the shoulder to function properly the entire complex system must be able to work together. Sufficient blood must flow to the shoulder efficiently to maintain healthy soft tissue and stimulate the body’s natural healing processes. 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 that attach our bones need to help support proper structure, and messages most be able to be sent and received between the brain and shoulder. When any of these functions are not being carried out in a healthy way, 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?

Shoulder pain can be caused by a variety of circumstances, from sports injuries to being struck by an object, a work injury from overuse to old age. The following are the most common underlying conditions that lead to shoulder pain in St. Genevieve, 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 swollen after repeated activities, often occurs at the same time as shoulder impingement, and can make daily activities 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 a sudden blow, excessive throwing, or other overhead activities common in some sports and occupations, such as throwing overhead or lifting and lowering objects.
  • Chronic: This can happen because of degenerative conditions or general weakness as we age.

  Symptoms include smarting pain, throbbing, and mild swelling.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be caused by acute injuries, such falling on an outstretched arm, or wear and tear. The tendon is initially frayed before becoming torn. People often live with partial thickness tears unaware. Full-thickness tears, which pull the tendon off the bone, do not heal by themselves. Symptoms include having difficulty raising your arm or lifting things you normally can, pain when sleeping, and a grinding feeling with certain motions.
• 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 because of an injury. Shoulder impingement occurs the most in people who are physically active.
• Shoulder Instability — This occurs when the ball of the upper arm bone is exits the shoulder socket, and also can be the result of injury or wear and tear. 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 surrounding areas of the shoulder. Long-term instability will result in shoulder pain and a sense of the shoulder “giving way.”
• Arthritis — While there are at least six types of arthritis, the shoulder most typically suffers from osteoarthritis. It is the result of the cartilage that acts as a shock absorber between your bones breaks down. It can be the result of tissue weakening as we become older, repeated injuries, and wear and tear. There is no cure for arthritis, but you can find effective pain management methods with St. Genevieve, MO physical and occupational therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The upper arm bone, clavicle, and scapula are the most commonly broken bones in the shoulder. They usually happen as the result of falling from a height or high-impact collisions such as a car accident. The shoulder pain is immediate and obvious, along with considerable inflammation and contusions.
• Axillary Nerve Injuries or Brachial Plexus Injuries — Nerve damage in the shoulder is the result of when nerves are compressed, when scar tissue interferes with their electric signals, or the nerves are otherwise damaged. These injuries can cause shoulder pain, stingers, weakness, and loss of feeling in your shoulder, arm, or hand. They are commonly caused by sudden trauma but can also occur because of overuse.

Sometimes, injuries are connected, such as instability that leads to impingement. If you’re currently suffering from shoulder pain, one of our safe, free injury screenings in St. Genevieve, MO may help you discover the underlying cause. If you’ve sustained a severe injury or have severe shoulder pain, a physician in St. Genevieve, MO may use a physical examination, various imaging techniques, and/or arthroscopy to discover the cause. For most injuries or conditions that cause shoulder pain, a personalized treatment plan with knowledgeable physical therapists that are experts in movement health in St. Genevieve, MO can be an effective way to return to a pain-free daily life and the active lifestyle you deserve.

Treating Your Shoulder Pain in St. Genevieve, MO

Your tailored 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, break down scar tissue, and treat the affected area
• 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 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 target damaged soft tissue deeper in the body to stimulate blood flow
• Posture correction to make sure you do not contribute to your injuries or do not heal correctly
• Injury prevention so you can keep participating in the activities you love
• Other safe, effective treatment methods to optimize your mobility

Missouri Law requires a prescription to attend physical therapy appointments, so you need to reach out to your St. Genevieve, MO doctor to see if physical therapy is safe and an effective treatment option for your shoulder pain. Our licensed physical and occupational therapists work alongside your primary care physician to ensure your treatment plan is safe for your condition.

Other services we offer in St. Genevieve, 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

St. Genevieve, 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 our St. Genevieve, MO clients by implementing evidence-backed treatment plans based on 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 find our location nearest you.