Shoulder Pain in Stone Meadows, MO. Those who suffer from shoulder pain know the limitations it can place on your life. It makes everything from pouring a cup of coffee to serving an ace on the tennis court frustrating and, for some of us, impossible. But you do not have to accept pain and limited shoulder movement. At Axes Physical Therapy in Stone Meadows, MO, our professional physical therapists are experts at designing tailored treatment plans, based on evidence, to get you back to the activities you love most. Let us help you safely and effectively treat your shoulder pain. Schedule an appointment through our website or find our location nearest you.

The Human Shoulder | Shoulder Pain in Stone Meadows, MO

The shoulder is one of the the largest and most complex joints we have. In actuality, it is a complex 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 is formed by the junction of the clavicle the acromion, the part of the shoulder blade that is the highest part of the shoulder. A plane joint, it allows your shoulder blade to follow the movements of the other shoulder joints.
3. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a plane-style synovial joint formed by the clavicle the breastbone at the bottom of the neck. As the only joint that connects the arm to the body, it it ensures your arm and body move in coordination.
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.

The shoulder is supported and surrounded by:

• the four muscles of the rotator cup that surround the head of the humerus, which allow for movement movement and keep the ball of the upper arm bone slipping out of the socket
• the shoulder capsule, a a fluid-filled sac that surrounds and lubricates the shoulder
• the four shoulder ligaments which attach bones together 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 arteries that supply much-needed blood to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons

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 keep oxygen levels and muscles strong and stimulate the body’s natural healing 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 messages most be able to be sent and received between the brain and shoulder. 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 complimentary injury screening.

What’s Behind My Shoulder Pain?

As the shoulder has so many moving parts, shoulder pain can have many root causes, from sports injuries to a car accident, a work injury from overuse to old age. Below are the most common underlying conditions that lead to shoulder pain in Stone Meadows, MO:

• Bursitis — The bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that work as a cushion and gliding surface between tissues. Bursitis occurs when the bursae because irritated after overuse, often occurs in association with rotator cuff tendinitis, and can make daily tasks 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: This can happen because of trauma, excessive overhead motions, or other overhead activities needed in some sports and fields of employment, such as tennis or moving objects above your head.
  • 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 caused by sudden trauma, like lifting an incredibly heavy object, or more chronic in nature. They usually start with fraying and then 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. Common symptoms are having difficulty raising your arm or lifting things you normally can, pain when sleeping, and a cracking feeling with certain motions.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement describes when your acromion (the bony tip of your scapula) rubs against the soft tissue in your shoulder. It often occurs alongside an injury that causes inflammation in the rotator cuff. Shoulder impingement occurs the most in people who are physically active.
• Shoulder Instability — This happens when the humerus is exits the shoulder socket, and also can be the result of injury or overuse. 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, the shoulder most commonly suffers from osteoarthritis. It is the result of the cartilage that acts as a shock absorber between your bones degenerates. It can be the result of tissue weakening as we become older, persistent trauma, and overuse. Arthritis cannot be cured, but effective pain management is possible with Stone Meadows, MO physical therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The upper arm bone, clavicle, and scapula are the bones in the shoulder most susceptible to fracture. They are often the result of falling a significant distance or onto a hard surface or high-energy collisions such as being tackles in a football game. The shoulder pain is usually severe, and the shoulder will experience substantial swelling and contusions.
• Axillary Nerve Injuries or Brachial Plexus Injuries — Nerve damage in the shoulder can occur when nerves are stretched, when scar tissue blocks their electric signals, or the nerves rupture. 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 connected, for example a fracture causing damage to the nerves. If you’re currently suffering from shoulder pain, one of our no-risk, free injury screenings in Stone Meadows, MO may help you discover the root of it. If you’ve sustained a severe injury or have severe shoulder pain, a physician in Stone Meadows, 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 specialize in movement health in Stone Meadows, MO can be a great way to return to the activities you love.

How Do Stone Meadows, MO Physical Therapists Treat Shoulder Pain?

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

• 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 doctor, 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 go back to 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 attack harder-to-reach irritated muscles, ligaments, and tendons to encourage the body’s natural healing processes
• Posture correction to make sure you are not inadvertently causing your shoulder pain or heal improperly
• Injury prevention so you can keep participating in the activities you love
• Other safe, effective exercises to increase and maintain your mobility

Missouri Revised Statute §334.506 dictates that you need a prescription for physical therapy, so you need to reach out to your Stone Meadows, MO 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 ensure your treatment plan is safe for your condition.

Other services we offer in Stone Meadows, 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

Stone Meadows, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

A well-functioning shoulder is essential to not only carrying out daily tasks with ease, but to keeping up the active lifestyles we desire. At Axes, we focus on positive outcomes for Stone Meadows, MO residents by developing proven treatment plans based on your injury, pain level, age, and the activities you want to get back to. You do not have to delay in getting back to the activities you love and a pain-free life. Schedule an appointment online or reach out to our location most convenient for you.