Shoulder Pain in St. Peters, MO. Those who suffer from shoulder pain know the effect it can have on your life. It makes everything from pouring a cup of coffee to diving for a softball painful and, in some cases, unfeasible. But you do not have to accept pain and limited shoulder movement. At Axes Physical Therapy in St. Peters, MO, our professional physical therapists create personalized treatment plans, proven to work through research, to get you back to the activities you love most. Let us help you make your shoulder pain an ancient memory. Schedule an appointment online or call our location nearest you.

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

The shoulder is among human body’s largest and most complex joints. In reality, it is a complex 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 allows for more movement than any other joint.
2. The acromioclavicular (AC) joint connects the clavicle to the acromion, the bony tip on the outer edge of the scapula. A plane style synovial joint, it helps extend the upper extremity from the trunk.
3. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a gliding joint located where the collarbone meets the sternum at the base of the neck. This joint is where the arm and torso meet, 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 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 that surround the head of the upper arm bone, which power 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 biceps tendon and rotator cuff tendons which affix 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 pump much-needed blood to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons

In order for the shoulder to function properly every joint, ligament, tendon, muscle, artery, capsule, and nerve must function well. Sufficient blood must flow to the shoulder efficiently to keep oxygen levels and muscles strong 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 intact and strong, 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 can lead to a disruption of the whole network, and anywhere from nagging to intense shoulder pain or loss of function. If if shoulder pain or poor shoulder movement is part of your daily life, reach out to 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 acute trauma, a work injury from overuse to our bodies just getting weaker as we get older. Below are common causes of shoulder pain that our team see in St. Peters, 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 overuse, often occurs in association with irritation of the rotator cuff, and can make basic activities like carrying groceries immensely painful.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis generally occurs because of inflammation or irritation of a tendon. It typically falls into one of two categories:
  • Acute: This can happen because of a sudden blow, excessive overhead motions, or other overhead activities needed in some sports and fields of employment, such as throwing overhead or lifting and lowering boxes.
  • Chronic: The result of wear and tear or the body becoming weaker as we age.

  Symptoms include smarting pain, throbbing, and mild swelling.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be acute, such lifting an incredibly heavy object, or wear and tear. They begin with fraying and ultimately tear. People often live with partial thickness tears unknowingly. Complete tears, which go all the way through the tendon, often require surgery. Symptoms include pain when performing specific motions, pain when lying on the side of the affected shoulder, and a cracking feeling when performing specific motions.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement occurs when your acromion (the bony tip of your scapula) rubs against 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, but rather by physical activity.
• Shoulder Instability — This happens when the ball of the humerus 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 wear and tear. 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 is accompanied by injury to the surrounding areas 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 tissue weakening as we become older, frequent injuries, and overuse. Arthritis cannot be cured, but you can find effective pain management techniques with St. Peters, MO physical therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The upper arm bone, collarbone, and scapula are the bones in the shoulder most prone to fracture. They usually happen as the result of falling from a height or high-energy collisions such as a car accident. The shoulder pain is usually significant, and the shoulder will experience substantial swelling and bruising.
• Axillary Nerve Injuries or Brachial Plexus Injuries — Nerve damage in the shoulder is the result of when nerves are stretched, when scar tissue blocks their electric signals, or the nerves are otherwise damaged. Axillary nerve and brachial plexus injuries can cause shoulder pain along with a range of other sensations. They are usually the result of high-impact trauma but can also happen because of degenerative conditions.

Sometimes, injuries are intertwined, for example a fracture causing damage to the nerves. If you’re currently suffering from shoulder pain, one of our no-obligation, free injury screenings in St. Peters, MO may help determine the root of it. If you’ve sustained a severe injury or have severe shoulder pain, a physician in St. Peters, MO may use a physical examination, an X-Ray, an MRI, a CT scan, arthrogram, and/or arthroscopy to discover the cause. Most people who experience shoulder pain can find recovery with a personalized treatment plan with knowledgeable physical therapists and movement health specialists in St. Peters, MO can be a successful way to return to the activities you love.

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

Your customized and evidence-backed physical therapy treatments 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 physician, if your shoulder pain was caused by an injury that needed surgery to correct
• Kinesio Taping® to provide support for your shoulder and keep you safe as you participate in physical activity or work while you are still recovering
• Blood flow restriction training to offer your shoulder a low-intensity exercise with high-intensity benefits
• Trigger point dry needling to target irritated soft tissue deeper in the body to encourage the body’s natural healing processes
• Posture correction to ensure you are not inadvertently causing your shoulder pain or heal improperly
• 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 dictates that you need a prescription to attend physical therapy appointments, so you need to reach out to your St. Peters, MO primary care physician to see if physical therapy is safe and an effective treatment option for your shoulder pain. Our professional physical and occupational therapists are responsible and work closely with your primary care physician to make sure you are getting the care that is safe for your condition.

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

A well-functioning 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. Peters, MO clients by developing evidence-backed treatment plans catered to 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. Schedule an appointment online or reach out to the location most convenient for you.