Shoulder Pain in Wildwood, MO. Those who suffer from shoulder pain know how hard it can be to manage. It makes everything from brushing your teeth to diving for a softball frustrating and, in some cases, impossible. But you do not need to live the rest of your life with pain and limited shoulder movement. At Axes PT in Wildwood, MO, our licensed physical therapists create personalized treatment modalities, backed by proven research, to get you back to striking out opponents, or just combing your hair pain-free. Allow us to make your shoulder pain an ancient memory. Schedule an appointment online or call our location most convenient for you.

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

The shoulder is among the largest and most complex joints we have. In truth, what we call the shoulder joint is made up of four different 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 dish, it allows for more movement than any other joint.
2. The acromioclavicular (AC) joint connects the collarbone to the acromion, the part of the scapula that is the highest part of the shoulder. A plane joint, it allows you to outstretch your arm.
3. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a plane-style synovial joint located where the collarbone meets the sternum at the foundation of the neck. This joint is where the arm and body 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 typical joint characteristics. It is made up of the shoulder blade and its articulation with the ribcage.

In addition to those four joints, the shoulder is made up of:

• the four muscles of the rotator cup that surround the head of the upper arm bone, which allow for movement movement and keep the ball of the upper arm bone stable
• the shoulder capsule, a soft tissue sac that encloses the joints in the shoulder
• the ligaments of the shoulder which provide passive stability while still allowing for movements in different planes
• the tendons in the biceps and shoulder which attach muscle to bone
• 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 muscles, ligaments, and tendons

Being able to move your shoulder pain free depends on every part of the system being healthy and working together. Sufficient blood must flow 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 connecting bones need to help maintain structure, and the nerves need to have a strong and secure connection to the brain. When any of these parts are not at optimal health, it often causes shoulder pain and movement problems. If if shoulder pain or poor shoulder movement is part of your daily life, reach out to Axes’ physical therapists for a no-risk, no-obligation injury screening.

What Causes Shoulder Pain?

Shoulder pain can be caused by numerous different circumstances, from sports injuries to falls, a work injury from repeated activities to our bodies just getting weaker as we get older. The following are common causes of shoulder pain that our physical and occupations therapists see in Wildwood, MO:

• Bursitis — The bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that act as shock absorbers and reduce friction in joints. Bursitis the result of the bursae becoming irritated after repeated activities, often occurs at the same time as inflammation of the rotator cuff, and can make daily activities like laying down for bed tremendously difficult.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis is typically caused by a tendon becoming irritated. It typically falls into one of two categories:
  • Acute: This can happen because of trauma, repeated throwing, or other overhead activities common in some competitive and activities and occupations, such as swimming or lifting and lowering boxes.
  • Chronic: The result of wear and tear or the body becoming weaker as we age.

  Symptoms include smarting pain, tenderness, and slight swelling.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be acute, like falling on an outstretched arm, or more chronic in nature. They usually start with fraying and then tear. People often live with partial tears obliviously. Complete tears, which pull the tendon off the bone, often require surgery. Common symptoms are pain with specific movements, pain when lying on the side of the affected shoulder, and a clicking sensation with specific motions.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement is the result of the rotator cuff and bursae rubbing against your shoulder blade. It often occurs alongside 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 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 causes or is the result of injury to the surrounding areas of the shoulder. Long-term instability will result in shoulder pain and a sense of the shoulder “giving way.”
• Arthritis — While arthritis refers to a range of diagnoses, the shoulder most typically suffers from osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bones. Common causes include old age, persistent trauma, and wear and tear. Arthritis cannot be cured, but effective pain management can be found with Wildwood, MO physical therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The upper arm bone, collarbone, and shoulder blade are the most commonly broken bones in the shoulder. They are often the result of falling from a height or forceful collisions such as being tackles in a football game. The shoulder pain is immediate and obvious, and the shoulder will experience substantial inflammation 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 blocks communication between the brain and shoulder, or the nerves are torn into two pieces. Axillary nerve and brachial plexus injuries can cause shoulder pain along with a range of other sensations. They are usually the result of sudden trauma but can also happen because of wear and tear.

Sometimes, injuries are intertwined, such as instability that leads to impingement. If you’re currently suffering from shoulder pain, one of our safe, free injury screenings in Wildwood, MO may help you discover the root of it. To diagnose shoulder pain a physician in Wildwood, 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 knowledgeable physical therapists and movement health specialists in Wildwood, MO can be a great way to get you back to the things you love to do the most.

Treating Your Shoulder Pain in Wildwood, MO

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, 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 provide support for your shoulder and allow you to participate in physical activity or work while you are still recovering
• Blood flow restriction training to improve strength while reducing overall stress on the shoulder
• Trigger point dry needling to target harder-to-reach damaged muscles, ligaments, and tendons 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 techniques to increase and maintain your mobility

Missouri Law dictates that you need a prescription to attend physical therapy appointments, so it’s important to speak to your Wildwood, MO primary care physician to see if physical therapy is rights for your shoulder pain. Our licensed physical and occupational therapists are responsible and work closely with your primary care physician to make sure you are getting the care that is safe for your condition.

Other services we offer in Wildwood, 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

Wildwood, 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 positive outcomes for our Wildwood, MO clients by implementing evidence-backed treatment plans based on your injury, pain level, age, and the activities you want to get back to. You do not have to delay in getting back to the activities you love and a pain-free life. Request an appointment through our website or reach out to the location most convenient for you.