Shoulder Pain in Twin Oaks, MO. If you live with shoulder pain, you know how hard it can be to manage. It can make any daily task from pouring a cup of coffee to playing volleyball frustrating and, for certain people, unfeasible. But you do not need to live the rest of your life with pain and limited shoulder movement. At Axes Physical Therapy in Twin Oaks, MO, our experienced physical therapists create customized treatment plans, backed by proven research, to get you back to the activities you love most. Let us help you make your shoulder pain a long-forgotten memory. Make an appointment online or find our location most convenient for you.

The Human Shoulder | Shoulder Pain in Twin Oaks, 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 a ball and socket joint where the humerus (upper arm bone) fits into the socket of the glenoid. As the the top of the humerus is 3-4 times larger than the socket, it is the most mobile joint in the body.
2. The acromioclavicular (AC) joint connects the collarbone 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 clavicle meets the sternum at the base of the neck. As the only joint that connects the arm to the torso, it connects 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 does not have union by fibrous, cartilaginous or synovial tissues. It is made up of the shoulder blade 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 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 joints in the shoulder
• the ligaments of the shoulder which provide passive stability while still allowing for a wide range of movements
• 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 pump nutrient-rich blood to the shoulder

In order for the shoulder to function properly the entire complex system must function well. Sufficient blood must reach 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 help maintain structure, and messages most be able to be sent and received between the brain and shoulder. When any of these parts are not at optimal health, 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 free injury screening.

What Causes Shoulder Pain?

As the shoulder is complex, shoulder pain can have any of a number of root causes, from sports injuries to falls, a work injury from repeated activities to our bodies just getting weaker as we get older. Below are the most common underlying conditions that lead to shoulder pain in Twin Oaks, MO:

• Bursitis — The bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that act as shock absorbers and reduce friction in joints. Bursitis occurs when the bursae because inflamed after overuse, often occurs in association with irritation of the rotator cuff, and can make daily activities like getting dressed exceedingly difficult.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis generally occurs because of a tendon becoming irritated. There are two types of tendinitis:
  • Acute: The result of a sudden blow, repeated throwing, or other overhead activities common in some sports and fields of employment, such as throwing overhead or lifting boxes overhead.
  • Chronic: This can happen because of wear and tear or the body becoming weaker as we get older.

  The condition causes pain and tenderness just outside the joint.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be acute, like falling on an outstretched arm, or repetitive movements or old age. They usually start with fraying and then tear. A partial tear often goes unnoticed. Complete tears, which go all the way through the tendon, often require surgery. Symptoms include pain when performing certain movements, pain when sleeping, and a clicking sensation when performing specific movements.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement is the result of the rotator cuff and bursae rubbing against your shoulder blade. It is often the result of rotator cuff swellings after an injury. Shoulder impingement is rarely caused by overuse, but rather by physical activity.
• Shoulder Instability — This occurs when 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. 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. Chronic instability will cause shoulder pain and a sense of the shoulder “giving way.”
• Arthritis — While there are at least six types of arthritis, osteoarthritis is the condition that typically affects the shoulder. It is the result of the cartilage that acts as a shock absorber between your bones breaks down. Common causes include tissue weakening as we become older, frequent injuries, and overuse. There is no cure for arthritis, but you can find effective pain management techniques with Twin Oaks, MO physical and occupational therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The upper arm bone, collarbone, and scapula are the most commonly broken bones in the shoulder. They usually happen as the result of falling a significant distance or onto a hard surface or high-energy collisions such as a car accident. The shoulder pain is immediate and obvious, and the shoulder will experience considerable 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 interferes with communication between the brain and shoulder, or the nerves burst. These 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 degenerative conditions.

At times, one injury leads to another, for example how an untreated rotator cuff tear can lead to arthritis. If you’re currently suffering from shoulder pain, one of our no-risk, free injury screenings in Twin Oaks, MO may help determine the underlying cause. To diagnose shoulder pain a physician in Twin Oaks, MO may use a physical examination, various imaging techniques, and/or arthroscopy. Most people who experience shoulder pain can experience recovery with a personalized treatment plan with experienced physical therapists and movement health specialists in Twin Oaks, MO can be a successful way to return to optimal movement health.

Treating Your Shoulder Pain in Twin Oaks, MO

Your customized and evidence-backed physical therapy treatment plan may include:

• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization to identify degenerative tissue, break down scar tissue, and treat the affected area
• Pre- and post-surgical rehabilitation, based on a plan with come up with alongside your surgeon, if your shoulder pain was caused by an injury that needed surgery to correct
• Kinesio Taping® to reduce pain and inflammation and keep you safe as you participate in sports or go back to work while your body heals
• Blood flow restriction training to offer your shoulder a low-intensity exercise with high-intensity results
• Trigger point dry needling to attack 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 do not heal correctly
• Injury prevention so you and your shoulder and stay healthy and active
• Other safe, effective techniques to increase and maintain your mobility

Missouri Law states that you need a prescription for physical therapy, so it’s necessary to speak to your Twin Oaks, MO physician to see if physical therapy is safe and an effective treatment option for your shoulder pain. Our knowledgeable physical and occupational therapists form a team with your primary care physician to ensure you are getting the care that is safe for your condition.

Other services we offer in Twin Oaks, 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

Twin Oaks, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

A healthy shoulder is important 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 Twin Oaks, MO residents by developing evidence-backed treatment plans catered to your injury, pain level, age, and desired activity level. Do not wait to get back to the activities you love and a pain-free life. Schedule an appointment online or reach out to the location nearest you.