Shoulder Pain in Warrenton, MO. Those who experience shoulder pain know how hard it can be to manage. It can make any basic task from strapping on a seatbelt to serving an ace on the tennis court frustrating and, for some of us, impossible. But pain and limited shoulder movement does not have to be a part of your everyday life. At Axes Physical Therapy in Warrenton, MO, our experienced physical therapists create customized treatment modalities, based on evidence, to get you back to striking out opponents, or just combing your hair pain-free. Allow us to make your shoulder pain a long-forgotten memory. Request an appointment online or reach out to our location most convenient for you.

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

The shoulder is one of the the largest and most complex joints we have. In reality, it is made up of four independent smaller joints:

1. The glenohumeral (GH) joint is the joint where the humerus (upper arm bone) fits into a relatively small dish called the glenoid. Given the relatively shallow socket, it is the most mobile joint in the body.
2. The acromioclavicular (AC) joint connects the clavicle to the acromion, the part of the scapula 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 gliding joint formed by the collarbone the sternum 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 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 covering the head of the humerus, which are responsible for movement and stabilize and protect the glenohumeral joint
• the shoulder capsule, a soft tissue sac that encloses the joints in the shoulder
• the ligaments of the shoulder which attach bones together and help reinforce 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 supply much-needed blood to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons

Proper shoulder strength, flexibility, and movement depends on every part of the system functioning well. Blood must be allowed to reach the shoulder maintain healthy soft tissue and repair minor damage. The muscles must have adequate strength and flexibility, the tendons attaching bone and muscle must be intact and strong, the ligaments connecting bones need to be similarly healthy, 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 disruption of the whole network, and anywhere from nagging to debilitating 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 free injury screening.

What’s Behind My Shoulder Pain?

As the shoulder has so many moving parts, shoulder pain can have many root causes, from sports injuries to falls, a work injury from overuse to old age. Below are the most common underlying conditions that lead to shoulder pain in Warrenton, MO:

• Bursitis — The bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that cushion bones, tendons, and muscles in and around your shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, and other joints. Bursitis occurs when the bursae because irritated after repeated activities, often occurs in association with shoulder impingement, and can make basic tasks like carrying groceries exceedingly painful.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis generally occurs because of inflammation or irritation of a tendon. There are two types of tendinitis:
  • Acute: The result of trauma, repeated overhead motions, or other overhead activities common in some competitive and activities and fields of employment, such as track and field throwing events or lifting and lowering objects.
  • Chronic: This can happen because of degenerative conditions or general weakness as we age.

  Symptoms include aching, throbbing, and slight swelling.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be caused by acute injuries, such 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, do not heal by themselves. Associated symptoms are pain with specific movements, pain when lying on the side of the affected shoulder, and a popping sensation when performing specific movements.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement occurs when your acromion (the bony tip of your shoulder blade) rubs against the rotator cuff and bursae. 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 allowed to move out of the socket when the capsule or ligaments become damaged, and also can happen suddenly or from wear and tear. 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 surrounding areas of the shoulder. Chronic instability will cause shoulder pain and a sense of the shoulder “giving way.”
• Arthritis — While arthritis refers to a range of diagnoses, osteoarthritis is the condition that typically affects the shoulder. Osteoarthritis is the degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bones. Common causes include old age, persistent trauma, and wear and tear. There is no cure for arthritis, but effective pain management can be found with Warrenton, MO physical therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The humerus, collarbone, and shoulder blade are the most commonly broken bones in the shoulder. They usually happen as the result of falling from a height or high-energy collisions such as being tackles in a football game. The shoulder pain is immediate and obvious, and the shoulder will experience considerable inflammation and bruising.
• Axillary Nerve Injuries or Brachial Plexus Injuries — Nerve damage in the shoulder can occur when nerves are stretched, when scar tissue interferes with their electric signals, or the nerves burst. Axillary nerve and brachial plexus injuries can cause shoulder pain along with a range of other sensations. They are usually the result of high-impact trauma but can also occur because of overuse.

At times, one injury leads to another, for example how an untreated rotator cuff tear can lead to arthritis. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain, one of our no-obligation, free injury screenings in Warrenton, MO may help determine the root of it. If you’ve sustained a severe injury or have severe shoulder pain, a physician in Warrenton, MO may use a physical examination, various imaging techniques, and/or arthroscopy to discover the cause. For most injuries or conditions that cause shoulder pain, a tailored treatment plan with professional physical therapists and movement health specialists in Warrenton, MO can be a successful way to return to optimal movement health.

Treating Your Shoulder Pain in Warrenton, MO

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

• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization to detect and treat any problems with your muscles, ligaments, or tendons
• 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 physical activity or go back to 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 muscles, ligaments, and tendons 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 do not heal correctly
• Injury prevention so you can keep participating in the activities you love
• Other safe, effective exercises to optimize your mobility

Missouri Law requires a prescription for physical therapy, so it’s necessary to speak to your Warrenton, MO primary care physician to see if physical therapy is rights for your shoulder pain. Our experienced physical and occupational therapists are responsible and work closely with your primary care physician to ensure you are getting the care that fits into your overall treatment plan.

Other services we offer in Warrenton, 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

Warrenton, 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 our Warrenton, MO clients by developing proven 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 find our location nearest you.