Shoulder Pain in Villa Ridge, MO. If you live with shoulder pain, you know how debilitating it can be. It makes any daily task from brushing your teeth to diving for a softball painful and, for certain people, not even an option. But pain and limited shoulder movement does not have to be a part of your everyday life. At Axes Physical Therapy in Villa Ridge, MO, our experienced physical therapists create personalized treatment plans, proven to work through research, to get you back to the activities you love most. Trust in us to turn your shoulder pain from a daily occurrence into a thing of the past. Request an appointment through our website or reach out to the location nearest you.

The Anatomy of the Shoulder | Shoulder Pain in Villa Ridge, MO

The shoulder is one of the human body’s largest and most intricate joints. In actuality, it is a compound 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. Because the top of the upper arm bone is several times larger than the socket, it is the most mobile joint in the body.
2. The acromioclavicular (AC) joint is formed by the junction of the collarbone the acromion, the part of the shoulder blade that is the highest part of the shoulder. A plane joint, it helps extend the upper extremity from the trunk.
3. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a plane-style synovial joint formed by the clavicle the breastbone at the base of the neck. As the only joint that connects the arm to the torso, it it ensures your arm and body act in tandem.
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 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 power movement and stabilize and protect the GH joint
• the shoulder capsule, a a fluid-filled sac that surrounds and lubricates the joints in the shoulder
• the four shoulder ligaments which attach bones together and provide stability for 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 blood vessels that pump nutritious blood to the shoulder

Proper shoulder strength, flexibility, and movement 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 stimulate the body’s natural healing processes. The muscles must have adequate strength and flexibility, the tendons attaching bone and muscle must be intact and strong, the ligaments that attach our 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 no-risk, no-obligation injury screening.

What’s Behind My 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 a car accident, a work injury from overuse to old age. Below are the most common underlying conditions that lead to shoulder pain in Villa Ridge, 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 inflamed after repeated activities, often occurs in association with inflammation of the rotator cuff, and can make basic tasks like getting dressed immensely difficult.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis generally occurs because of inflammation or irritation of a tendon. It typically falls into one of two categories:
  • Acute: The result of trauma, repeated throwing, or other overhead activities needed in some sports and occupations, such as volleyball or lifting and lowering boxes.
  • Chronic: This can happen because of degenerative conditions or the body becoming weaker as we age.

  The condition causes pain and tenderness just outside the joint.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be acute, such falling on an outstretched arm, or more chronic in nature. They begin with fraying and ultimately tear. A partial thickness tear often goes unnoticed. Full-thickness tears, which pull the tendon off the bone, do not heal by themselves. Symptoms include having difficulty raising your arm or lifting things you normally can, pain when lying on the side of the affected shoulder, and a popping feeling with 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, and is most common in athletes or others who engage in physical activity.
• Shoulder Instability — This happens when the humerus is exits the shoulder socket, 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 is accompanied by 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 at least six types of arthritis, osteoarthritis is the form that typically affects the shoulder. It is the result of the cartilage cushioning the ends of your bones degenerates. Common causes include old age, persistent trauma, and wear and tear. Arthritis cannot be cured, but you can find effective pain management techniques with Villa Ridge, MO physical and occupational therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The upper arm bone, collarbone, and scapula are the most commonly broken bones in the shoulder. They are often the result of falling a significant distance or onto a hard surface or high-impact collisions such as a car accident. The shoulder pain is immediate and obvious, along with considerable inflammation 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 interferes with signals between the brain and shoulder, or the nerves rupture. These injuries can cause shoulder pain, stingers, numbness, and loss of sensation in your upper extremities. They are usually the result of sudden trauma but can also happen because of degenerative conditions.

Sometimes, injuries are intertwined, such as a fracture causing damage to the nerves. If you’re currently suffering from shoulder pain, one of our no-risk, free injury screenings in Villa Ridge, MO may help you discover why you’re experiencing the pain. To diagnose shoulder pain a physician in Villa Ridge, MO may use a physical examination, an X-Ray, an MRI, a CT scan, arthrogram, and/or arthroscopy. For most injuries or conditions that cause shoulder pain, a personalized treatment plan with professional physical therapists and movement health specialists in Villa Ridge, MO can be a great way to return to the things you love to do the most.

How Do Villa Ridge, MO Physical Therapists Treat Shoulder Pain?

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

• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization to identify degenerative tissue, smooth out 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 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 damaged soft tissue deeper in the body 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 and your shoulder and stay healthy and active
• Other safe, effective exercises to optimize your mobility

Missouri Law dictates that you need a prescription to attend physical therapy appointments, so it’s important to speak to your Villa Ridge, MO doctor 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 is safe for your condition.

Other services we offer in Villa Ridge, MO include:

• Soft Tissue Mobilization
• Post Surgical Rehabilitation
• Shin Splint Treatment
• Direct Access Physical Therapy
• Gait Analysis
• Pelvic Floor Therapy
• Dry Needling Near Me
• Tendonitis Treatment
• Manual Physical Therapy
• Orthopedic Rehab Near Me

Villa Ridge, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

A well-functioning shoulder 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 Villa Ridge, MO people of all ages by creating evidence-backed treatment plans based on 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 find our location most convenient for you.