Shoulder Pain in Valley Park, MO. If you live with shoulder pain, you know the limitations it can place on your life. It makes any daily task from brushing your teeth to serving an ace on the tennis court frustrating and, sometimes, unfeasible. But pain and limited shoulder movement is usually manageable and beatable with safe and effective treatment. At Axes PT in Valley Park, MO, our licensed physical therapists create tailored treatment modalities, proven to work through research, to get you back to striking out opponents, or just combing your hair pain-free. Trust in us to turn your shoulder pain from a daily occurrence into a thing of the past. Schedule an appointment online or find our location most convenient for you.

The Human Shoulder | Shoulder Pain in Valley Park, MO

The shoulder is among human body’s largest and most complex joints. In reality, what is referred to as the shoulder joint is made up of four different 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. Because the top of the upper arm bone is 3-4 times larger than the socket, 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 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 gliding joint formed by the clavicle the breastbone at the foundation 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 not a true anatomical 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.

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

• the four muscles of the rotator cup that surround the head of the humerus, which power movement and keep the head of the humerus firmly within the shallow socket of the shoulder
• the shoulder capsule, a tough sheath or membrane that encloses the shoulder
• the ligaments of the shoulder which attach bones together and provide stability for the capsule
• the biceps tendon and rotator cuff tendons which allow muscles to power the bones
• the brachial plexus nerves that send motor messages from the brain to muscles and sensory information (like pain) from the joints back to the brain
• the blood vessels that pump nutritious blood to the shoulder

Optimal shoulder and movement health depends on every part of the system being healthy and working together. Blood must be allowed to reach the shoulder maintain healthy soft tissue and repair minor damage. The muscles strong enough to move and flexible enough to safely make those movements, the tendons connecting them to the bones must be strong, flexible, and free of rips or tears, 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 functions are not being carried out in a healthy way, 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?

Shoulder pain can be caused by a variety of circumstances, from sports injuries to being struck by an object, a work injury from repeated activities to old age. Below are common causes of shoulder pain that our physical and occupations therapists see in Valley Park, MO:

• Bursitis — The bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that cushion bones, tendons, and muscles in and around your joints. Bursitis the result of the bursae becoming inflamed after repeated activities, often occurs in association with shoulder impingement, and can make daily activities like laying down to go to sleep immensely painful.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis is typically caused by inflammation or irritation of a tendon. There are two types of tendinitis:
  • Acute: The result of trauma, repeated overhead motions, or other overhead activities needed in some sports and fields of employment, such as volleyball or lifting boxes overhead.
  • Chronic: This can happen because of degenerative conditions or general weakness as we age.

  Symptoms include smarting pain, throbbing, and slight swelling.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be caused by sudden trauma, like a blow to the shoulder, or repetitive movements or old age. The tendon is initially frayed before becoming torn. People often live with partial thickness tears unaware. Full-thickness tears, which go all the way through the tendon, often require surgery. Symptoms include pain when performing certain motions, pain when sleeping, and a popping feeling when performing certain movements.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement describes when your acromion (the bony tip of your scapula) 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 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 happens in combination with injury to the supporting soft tissue of the shoulder. Long-term instability will cause shoulder pain and a sense of the shoulder “giving way.”
• Arthritis — While arthritis refers to a range of diagnoses, the shoulder most commonly experiences osteoarthritis. It is the result of the cartilage that acts as a shock absorber between your bones weakens and wears away. Common causes include tissue weakening as we become older, persistent trauma, and overuse. Arthritis cannot be cured, but you can find effective pain management methods with Valley Park, MO physical therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The humerus, collarbone, and shoulder blade are the bones in the shoulder most prone to breaking. They are often the result of falling a significant distance or onto a hard surface or forceful collisions such as a car accident. The shoulder pain is usually intense, along with considerable 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 burst. These 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 wear and tear.

At times, one injury leads to another, for example instability that leads to impingement. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain, one of our safe, free injury screenings in Valley Park, MO may help determine the underlying cause. If you’ve sustained a severe injury or have severe shoulder pain, a physician in Valley Park, MO may use a physical examination, various imaging techniques, and/or arthroscopy to discover the cause. Most people who experience shoulder pain can find relief with a personalized treatment plan with certified physical therapists and movement health specialists in Valley Park, MO can be an effective way to return to a pain-free daily life and the active lifestyle you deserve.

How Do Valley Park, MO Physical Therapists Treat Shoulder Pain?

Your personalized 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 soft tissue disorders
• Pre- and post-surgical rehabilitation, based on a plan with come up with alongside 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 allow you to participate in physical activity or work while your body heals
• Blood flow restriction training to strengthen muscles while reducing overall stress on the shoulder
• Trigger point dry needling to attack harder-to-reach irritated soft tissue to stimulate blood flow
• Posture correction to make sure you do not contribute to your injuries or do not heal correctly
• Injury prevention so you do not lose your active lifestyle in the future
• Other safe, effective treatment methods to increase and maintain your mobility

Missouri Law stipulates that you need a prescription for physical therapy, so you need to reach out to your Valley Park, MO physician to see if physical therapy is rights for your shoulder pain. Our professional physical and occupational therapists form a team with your primary care physician to ensure you are getting the care that fits into your overall treatment plan.

Other services we offer in Valley Park, 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

Valley Park, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

Optimal movement health is imperative to not only carrying out daily tasks with ease, but to doing the things we love. At Axes, we focus on patient results for Valley Park, MO people of all ages by creating proven treatment plans based on 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. Request an appointment online or call the location nearest you.