Shoulder Pain in Troy, MO. If you live with shoulder pain, you know the effect it can have on your life. It can make any daily task from strapping on a seatbelt to playing volleyball frustrating and, in some cases, unfeasible. But pain and limited shoulder movement is usually manageable and beatable with safe and effective treatment. At Axes Physical Therapy in Troy, MO, our experienced physical therapists are experts at creating customized treatment modalities, backed by proven research, to get you back to optimal movement health. Allow us to turn your shoulder pain from a daily occurrence into a thing of the past. Schedule an appointment through our website or call the location nearest you.

The Anatomy of the Shoulder | Shoulder Pain in Troy, MO

The shoulder is one of the the largest and most intricate 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 the socket of the glenoid. 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 shoulder blade. 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 plane-style synovial joint located where the collarbone meets the sternum at the bottom of the neck. This joint is where the arm and torso 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 ligaments connecting it to bone. It is made up of the scapula and its articulation with the ribcage.

In addition to those four joints, the shoulder consists of:

• the four muscles of the rotator cup covering the head of the upper arm bone, which allow for movement movement and keep the ball of the humerus slipping out of the socket
• the shoulder capsule, a a fluid-filled sac that surrounds and lubricates the shoulder
• the ligaments of the shoulder which provide passive stability while still allowing for a wide range of movements
• the biceps tendon and rotator cuff tendons 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 supply much-needed blood to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons

Being able to move your shoulder pain free depends on every part of the system functioning well. Sufficient blood must reach to the shoulder efficiently to keep oxygen levels and muscles strong and repair minor damage. 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 connecting bones need to help maintain structure, 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 breakdown of the whole complex, and anywhere from nagging to severe shoulder pain or loss of function. If if shoulder pain or poor shoulder movement is part of your daily life, contact Axes’ physical therapists for a complimentary injury screening.

What Causes 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 Troy, 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 swollen after repeated activities, often occurs in combination with irritation of the rotator cuff, and can make daily tasks like carrying groceries exceedingly difficult.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis generally occurs because of inflammation or irritation of a tendon. There are two types of tendinitis:
  • Acute: The result of a sudden blow, repeated overhead motions, or other overhead activities needed in some sports and fields of employment, such as swimming or lifting and lowering objects.
  • Chronic: The result of wear and tear or the body becoming weaker as we age.

  Symptoms include smarting pain, throbbing, and slight swelling.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be caused by sudden trauma, like lifting an incredibly heavy object, or wear and tear. They usually start with fraying and then tear. A partial tear often goes unnoticed. Complete tears, where the tendon is no longer attached whatsoever to the bone, often require surgery. Common symptoms are having difficulty raising your arm or lifting things you normally can, pain when sleeping, and a popping feeling with specific movements.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement describes when your acromion (outer edge of your shoulder blade) rubs against the rotator cuff and bursae. It often occurs in combination with an injury that causes inflammation in the rotator cuff. Shoulder impingement is rarely caused by overuse, but rather by physical activity.
• Shoulder Instability — This happens when the humerus is exits the shoulder socket, 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 surrounding areas of the shoulder. Long-term instability will result in shoulder pain and unsteadiness when performing certain motions.
• Arthritis — While there are at least six types of arthritis, the shoulder most commonly suffers from osteoarthritis. It occurs when the cartilage that acts as a shock absorber between your bones weakens and wears away. It can be the result of tissue weakening as we become older, persistent trauma, and wear and tear. Arthritis cannot be cured, but effective pain management is possible with Troy, MO physical and occupational therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The upper arm bone, collarbone, and scapula are the bones in the shoulder most susceptible to breaking. They usually happen as the result of falling from a height or forceful collisions such as a car accident. The shoulder pain is immediate and obvious, and the shoulder will experience considerable swelling and contusions.
• 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 rupture. These injuries can cause shoulder pain along with a range of other sensations. They are usually the result of a sudden blow but can also happen because of wear and tear.

Sometimes, injuries are connected, such as an impingement causing damage to the nerves. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain, one of our no-risk, free injury screenings in Troy, MO may help you discover the root of it. If you’ve sustained a severe injury or have severe shoulder pain, a physician in Troy, 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 knowledgeable physical therapists that are experts in movement health in Troy, MO can be a successful way to return to a pain-free daily life and the active lifestyle you deserve.

How Do Troy, MO Physical Therapists Treat Shoulder Pain?

Your customized 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, coordinated together with your surgeon, if you need surgery to relieve your shoulder pain
• Kinesio Taping® to reduce pain and inflammation 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 results
• 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 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 treatment methods to optimize your mobility

Missouri Revised Statute §334.506 requires a prescription for physical therapy, so you need to reach out to your Troy, MO doctor to see if physical therapy is rights for your shoulder pain. Our knowledgeable physical and occupational therapists are responsible and work closely with your primary care physician to ensure you are getting the care that is safe for your condition.

Other services we offer in Troy, 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

Troy, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

Optimal movement health is essential to not only living our every day life, but to keeping up the active lifestyles we desire. At Axes, we focus on patient results for our Troy, MO clients by developing proven treatment plans catered to 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 find the location most convenient for you.