Shoulder Pain in St. Louis, MO. Those who suffer from shoulder pain know the effect it can have on your life. It can make everything from pouring a cup of coffee to making a breakaway layup frustrating and, in some cases, impossible. But you do not have to accept pain and limited shoulder movement. At Axes Physical Therapy in St. Louis, MO, our licensed physical therapists are experts at developing tailored treatment plans, based on evidence, to get you back to the activities you love most. Trust in us to make your shoulder pain an ancient memory. Request an appointment through our website or find our location nearest you.

The Anatomy of the Shoulder | Shoulder Pain in St. Louis, MO

The shoulder is one of the the largest and most complex joints we have. In actuality, what we call 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. Given the relatively shallow dish, it is the most mobile joint in the body.
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 style synovial joint, it allows your shoulder blade to follow the movements of the other shoulder joints.
3. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a gliding joint formed by the collarbone the breastbone at the foundation of the neck. This joint is where the arm and body meet, it connects the movement of the upper limb with the core of your body.
4. The scapulothoracic (ST) “joint” is not a true anatomical joint as it does not have ligaments connecting it to bone. 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 covering the head of the upper arm bone, which power movement and stabilize the ball of the humerus within the shoulder socket
• the shoulder capsule, a soft tissue sac that surrounds and protects 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 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 blood vessels that pump nutritious blood to the shoulder

Proper shoulder strength, flexibility, and movement depends on every part of the system functioning well. Blood must flow freely to the shoulder maintain healthy soft tissue and stimulate the body’s natural recovery processes. 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 that attach our bones need to be similarly healthy, and the nerves need to have a strong and secure connection to the brain. When any of these functions are not being carried out in a healthy way, it often causes shoulder pain and movement problems. If if shoulder pain or poor shoulder movement is part of your daily life, reach out to Axes’ physical therapists for a complimentary injury screening.

What’s Behind My Shoulder Pain?

Shoulder pain can be caused by numerous different circumstances, from sports injuries to a car accident, a work injury from overuse to old age. Below are common causes of shoulder pain that our physical and occupations therapists see in St. Louis, MO:

• Bursitis — The bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that work as a cushion and gliding surface between tissues. Bursitis the result of the bursae becoming inflamed after repeated activities, often occurs in association with inflammation of the rotator cuff, and can make daily tasks like carrying groceries tremendously difficult.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis is typically caused by a tendon becoming irritated. It typically falls into one of two categories:
  • Acute: The result of a sudden blow, repeated throwing, or other overhead activities common in some competitive and activities and fields of employment, such as swimming or lifting boxes overhead.
  • Chronic: This can happen because 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 caused by sudden trauma, such falling on an outstretched arm, or more chronic in nature. They begin with fraying and ultimately tear. People often live with partial thickness tears unknowingly. Complete tears, which pull the tendon off the bone, do not heal by themselves. Symptoms include pain with certain movements, pain when lying on the side of the affected shoulder, and a popping feeling with specific movements.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement describes when your acromion (the bony tip of your scapula) pinches the rotator cuff and bursae. It is often the result of rotator cuff swellings because of an injury. Shoulder impingement is rarely caused by overuse, and is most common in athletes or others who engage in physical activity.
• Shoulder Instability — This occurs when the head of the upper arm bone is forced out of 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. Chronic instability will result in shoulder pain and a sense of the shoulder “giving way.”
• Arthritis — While arthritis refers to a range of diagnoses, osteoarthritis is the condition that typically affects the shoulder. Osteoarthritis is the degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bones. 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 techniques with St. Louis, 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 a significant distance or onto a hard surface or high-impact collisions such as being tackles in a football game. The shoulder pain is usually significant, along with substantial swelling and bruising.
• Axillary Nerve Injuries or Brachial Plexus Injuries — Nerve damage in the shoulder can occur when nerves are impinged on, when scar tissue blocks their electric signals, or the nerves are otherwise damaged. These injuries can cause shoulder pain along with a range of other sensations. They are usually the result of sudden trauma but can also occur because of wear and tear.

At times, one injury leads to another, such as instability that leads to impingement. If you’re currently suffering from shoulder pain, one of our no-risk, free injury screenings in St. Louis, MO may help you discover the root of it. To diagnose shoulder pain a physician in St. Louis, MO may use a physical examination, various imaging techniques, and/or arthroscopy. Most people who experience shoulder pain can experience relief with a customized treatment plan with professional physical therapists and movement health specialists in St. Louis, MO can be an effective way to return to optimal movement health.

How Do St. Louis, MO Physical Therapists Treat Shoulder Pain?

Your tailored and evidence-backed physical therapy may include any one or a variety of different treatment plans:

• 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 doctor, 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 you are still recovering
• Blood flow restriction training to improve strength while reducing overall stress on the shoulder
• Trigger point dry needling to attack harder-to-reach damaged muscles, ligaments, and tendons to encourage the body’s natural healing processes
• Posture correction to make sure 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 Law requires a prescription for physical therapy, so it’s important to speak to your St. Louis, 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 make sure you are getting the care that fits into your overall treatment plan.

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

A healthy shoulder is imperative 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. Louis, MO clients by creating 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. Request an appointment through our website or find our location nearest you.