Shoulder Pain in Truesdale, MO. Those who experience shoulder pain know the effect it can have on your life. It makes everything from brushing your teeth to making a breakaway layup frustrating and, sometimes, impossible. But you do not have to accept pain and limited shoulder movement. At Axes Physical Therapy in Truesdale, MO, our licensed physical therapists create personalized treatment plans, backed by proven research, to get you back to optimal movement health. Allow us to safely and effectively treat your shoulder pain. Request an appointment online or reach out to our location most convenient for you.

How Does the Shoulder Work? | Shoulder Pain in Truesdale, MO

The shoulder is one of the the largest and most intricate joints we have. In reality, what is referred to as the shoulder joint is made up of four different joints:

1. The glenohumeral (GH) joint is the joint responsible for connecting the upper extremity to the trunk. Because the the top of the humerus is 3-4 times larger than the socket, it has the widest range of motion as any other human joint.
2. The acromioclavicular (AC) joint connects the collarbone to the acromion, the bony tip on the outer edge of the shoulder blade. A plane style synovial joint, it allows you to outstretch your arm.
3. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a plane-style synovial joint formed by the collarbone the breastbone at the base of the neck. This joint is where the arm and torso meet, it coordinates 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 does not have union by fibrous, cartilaginous or synovial tissues. 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 are responsible for 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 help connect bone to bone and help reinforce the capsule
• 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 arteries that pump much-needed blood to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons

Proper shoulder strength, flexibility, and movement depends on every part of the system being healthy and working together. Blood must be allowed to reach the shoulder 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 strong, flexible, and free of rips or tears, the ligaments connecting bones need to be similarly healthy, and the brain and shoulder need to have clear communication with each other. 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, contact 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 falls, a work injury from repeated activities to old age. Below are the most common underlying conditions that lead to shoulder pain in Truesdale, 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 in association with irritation of the rotator cuff, and can make basic tasks like brushing your teeth immensely difficult.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis is typically caused by inflammation or irritation of a tendon. There are two causes of tendinitis:
  • Acute: This can happen because of trauma, repeated overhead motions, or other overhead activities common in some competitive and activities and fields of employment, such as throwing overhead or lifting and lowering objects.
  • Chronic: The result of wear and tear or the body becoming weaker as we get older.

  Symptoms include aching, tenderness, and slight swelling.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be caused by sudden trauma, like falling on an outstretched arm, or wear and tear. They usually start with fraying and then tear. A partial tear often goes unnoticed. Full-thickness tears, where the tendon is completely detached from the bone, often require surgery. Symptoms include pain when performing certain motions, pain when sleeping, and a clicking sensation with certain movements.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement describes when your acromion (outer edge of your scapula) irritates the soft tissue in your shoulder. It often occurs in tandem 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 occurs when the head of the upper arm bone is allowed to move out of the socket when the capsule or ligaments become damaged, and also can happen suddenly or from 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 happens in combination with injury to the supporting soft tissue of the shoulder. Chronic instability will result in shoulder pain and unsteadiness when performing certain motions.
• Arthritis — While there are many kinds 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. Common causes include old age, persistent injuries, and overuse. There is no cure for arthritis, but effective pain management is possible with Truesdale, MO physical therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The humerus, clavicle, and scapula are the most commonly broken bones in the shoulder. They are often the result of falling from a height or high-energy collisions such as a car accident. The shoulder pain is usually intense, and the shoulder will experience substantial inflammation and contusions.
• 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. Axillary nerve and brachial plexus injuries can cause shoulder pain, stingers, weakness, and loss of feeling in your upper extremities. They are commonly caused by sudden trauma but can also occur because of wear and tear.

Sometimes, injuries are intertwined, for example how an untreated rotator cuff tear can lead to arthritis. If you’re currently suffering from shoulder pain, one of our safe, free injury screenings in Truesdale, MO may help you discover why you’re experiencing the pain. To diagnose shoulder pain a physician in Truesdale, MO may use a physical examination, various imaging techniques, and/or arthroscopy. For most injuries or conditions that cause shoulder pain, a tailored treatment plan with experienced physical therapists and movement health specialists in Truesdale, MO can be an effective way to return to the things you love to do the most.

How Do Truesdale, MO Physical Therapists Treat Shoulder Pain?

Your personalized and evidence-backed 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 physician, if you need surgery to relieve your shoulder pain
• Kinesio Taping® to provide support for your shoulder and allow you to participate in sports 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 target damaged soft tissue deeper in the body to stimulate blood flow
• Posture correction to make sure 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 exercises to increase and maintain your mobility

Missouri Law requires a prescription for physical therapy, so it’s necessary to speak to your Truesdale, MO doctor to see if physical therapy is rights for your shoulder pain. Our licensed physical and occupational therapists form a team with your primary care physician to make sure your treatment plan is safe for your condition.

Other services we offer in Truesdale, 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

Truesdale, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

A healthy shoulder is imperative 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 our Truesdale, MO clients by developing evidence-backed treatment plans based on your injury, pain level, age, and desired activity level. You do not have to delay in getting back to the activities you love and a pain-free life. Schedule an appointment through our website or find the location nearest you.