Shoulder Pain in Winchester, MO. If you live with shoulder pain, you know how hard it can be to manage. It can make any daily task from watering the flowers to playing volleyball painful and, for some of us, impossible. But you do not have to accept pain and limited shoulder movement. At Axes Physical Therapy in Winchester, MO, our professional physical therapists are experts at designing personalized treatment plans, backed by proven research, to get you back to optimal movement health. Trust in us to make your shoulder pain an ancient memory. Schedule an appointment online or reach out to the location most convenient for you.

The Anatomy of the Shoulder | Shoulder Pain in Winchester, MO

The shoulder is one of the the largest and most intricate joints we have. In actuality, it is a multiplex of four joints:

1. The glenohumeral (GH) joint is the joint responsible for connecting the upper extremity to the trunk. As the top of the upper arm bone is 3-4 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 clavicle the acromion, the bony tip on the outer edge of the shoulder blade. A plane style synovial joint, it allows your shoulder blade to follow the movements of the other shoulder joints.
3. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a gliding joint located where the clavicle meets the breastbone at the bottom 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 ligaments connecting it to bone. It attaches and allows movement between the shoulder blade and the thoracic cage.

The shoulder is supported and surrounded by:

• the four muscles of the rotator cup covering the head of the humerus, which power movement and stabilize the ball of the humerus within the shoulder socket
• the shoulder capsule, a tough sheath or membrane that surrounds and protects the joints in the shoulder
• the four shoulder ligaments 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 blood vessels that pump much-needed blood to the shoulder

In order for the shoulder to function properly the entire complex system must be able to work together. Blood must flow freely to the shoulder 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 be similarly healthy, and messages most be able to be sent and received between the brain and shoulder. When any one of the parts of the shoulder is damaged, inflamed, or otherwise irritated, it can lead to a breakdown of the entire system, and anywhere from nagging to debilitating shoulder pain or loss of function. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain or any other symptoms of a shoulder injury, contact Axes’ physical therapists for a no-risk, no-obligation injury screening.

What Causes 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 repeated activities to our bodies just getting weaker as we get older. Below are common causes of shoulder pain that our physical and occupations therapists see in Winchester, MO:

• Bursitis — The bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that cushion bones, tendons, and muscles in and around your joints. Bursitis occurs when the bursae because irritated after repeated activities, often occurs at the same time as inflammation of the rotator cuff, and can make basic activities like carrying groceries incredibly painful.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis is typically caused by inflammation or irritation of a tendon. It typically falls into one of two categories:
  • Acute: The result of a sudden blow, repeated overhead motions, or other overhead activities common in some sports and occupations, such as track and field throwing events or lifting and lowering boxes.
  • Chronic: This can happen because of wear and tear 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 caused by sudden trauma, such a blow to the shoulder, or more chronic in nature. The tendon is initially frayed before becoming torn. A partial thickness tear often goes unnoticed. Complete tears, which pull the tendon off the bone, often require surgery. Symptoms include pain when performing certain movements, pain when lying on the side of the affected shoulder, and a clicking sensation with certain 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 head of the humerus is allowed to move out of the socket when the capsule or ligaments become stretched, torn, or detached, 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 unsteadiness when performing certain motions.
• Arthritis — While arthritis refers to a range of diagnoses, the shoulder most commonly experiences osteoarthritis. It is the result of the cartilage cushioning the ends of your bones weakens and wears away. Common causes include old age, frequent injuries, and overuse. Arthritis cannot be cured, but you can find effective pain management methods with Winchester, MO physical and occupational 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 from a height or high-impact collisions such as being tackles in a football game. The shoulder pain is usually intense, along with substantial inflammation and bruising.
• Axillary Nerve Injuries or Brachial Plexus Injuries — Nerve damage in the shoulder is the result of when nerves are compressed, when scar tissue interferes with communication between the brain and shoulder, or the nerves are otherwise damaged. These injuries can cause shoulder pain along with a range of other sensations. They are commonly caused by high-impact trauma but can also happen because of overuse.

Sometimes, injuries are intertwined, 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 Winchester, MO may help you discover why you’re experiencing the pain. If you’ve sustained a severe injury or have severe shoulder pain, a physician in Winchester, 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 customized treatment plan with licensed physical therapists and movement health specialists in Winchester, MO can be a successful way to get you back to optimal movement health.

Treating Your Shoulder Pain in Winchester, MO

Your personalized and proven 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 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 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 muscles, ligaments, and tendons to stimulate blood flow
• Posture correction to make sure you do not contribute to your injuries or heal improperly
• Injury prevention so you can keep participating in the activities you love
• Other safe, effective techniques to optimize your mobility

Missouri Law requires a prescription for physical therapy, so you need to reach out to your Winchester, MO doctor to see if physical therapy is safe and an effective treatment option for your shoulder pain. Our licensed physical and occupational therapists work alongside your primary care physician to make sure your treatment plan fits into your overall treatment plan.

Other services we offer in Winchester, 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

Winchester, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

Optimal movement health is important to not only carrying out daily tasks with ease, but to doing the things we love. At Axes, we focus on positive outcomes for Winchester, MO people of all ages by developing proven treatment plans catered to your injury, pain level, age, and how physically active you need to be. Do not wait to get back to the activities you love and a pain-free life. Request an appointment online or reach out to our location nearest you.