Shoulder Pain in Windsor Springs, MO. If you live with shoulder pain, you know how debilitating it can be. It makes any basic task from brushing your teeth to diving for a softball frustrating and, sometimes, unfeasible. But you do not have to accept pain and limited shoulder movement. At Axes PT in Windsor Springs, MO, our licensed physical therapists specialize in customized treatment plans, backed by proven research, to get you back to optimal movement health. Allow us to make your shoulder pain an ancient memory. Request an appointment online or reach out to the location most convenient for you.

How Does the Shoulder Work? | Shoulder Pain in Windsor Springs, MO

The shoulder is among the largest and most intricate joints we have. In truth, it is made up of four independent smaller joints:

1. The glenohumeral (GH) joint is the joint responsible for connecting the upper extremity to the trunk. Given the relatively shallow dish, it allows for more movement than any other joint.
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 gliding joint, it allows for additional rotation of the shoulder blade.
3. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a gliding joint located where the collarbone meets the sternum at the bottom of the neck. As the only joint that connects the arm to the torso, it connects 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 ligaments connecting it to bone. It attaches and allows movement between the shoulder blade and the part of rib cage at the back of our bodies.

The shoulder is supported and surrounded by:

• the four muscles of the rotator cup covering the head of the upper arm bone, which are responsible for movement and keep the head of the upper arm bone firmly within the shallow socket of the shoulder
• the shoulder capsule, a soft tissue sac that surrounds and protects 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 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 muscles, ligaments, and tendons

Proper shoulder strength, flexibility, and movement 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 recovery 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 of these parts are not at optimal health, it can lead to a disruption of the whole complex, and anywhere from nagging to intense 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 is complex, shoulder pain can have any of a number of root causes, from sports injuries to a car accident, a work injury from overuse to our bodies just getting weaker as we get older. Below are the most common underlying conditions that lead to shoulder pain in Windsor Springs, 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 swollen after repeated activities, often occurs at the same time as shoulder impingement, and can make daily tasks like getting dressed incredibly painful.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis is typically caused by inflammation or irritation of a tendon. There are two causes of tendinitis:
  • Acute: The result of trauma, excessive throwing, or other overhead activities common in some competitive and activities and occupations, such as swimming or lifting and lowering boxes.
  • Chronic: This can happen because of degenerative conditions or general weakness as we get weaker.

  The condition causes pain and tenderness just outside the joint.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be acute, like falling on an outstretched arm, or more chronic in nature. They begin with fraying and ultimately tear. A partial thickness tear often goes unnoticed. Complete tears, which pull the tendon off the bone, do not heal by themselves. Symptoms include pain when performing certain motions, pain when lying on the side of the affected shoulder, and a grinding sensation when performing certain motions.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement occurs when your acromion (the bony tip of your shoulder blade) rubs against the soft tissue in your shoulder. It is often the result of rotator cuff swellings after an injury. 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 overuse. Dislocations can be repeated and partial or the entire bone coming out of the socket. It often causes or is the result of 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, the shoulder most typically suffers from osteoarthritis. It is the result of the cartilage cushioning the ends of your bones degenerates. Common causes include old age, repeated injuries, and wear and tear. There is no cure for arthritis, but effective pain management is possible with Windsor Springs, MO physical and occupational therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The upper arm bone, collarbone, and scapula are the bones in the shoulder most prone to breaking. They usually happen as the result of falling a significant distance or onto a hard surface or high-energy collisions such as a car accident. The shoulder pain is usually severe, and the shoulder will experience substantial swelling and bruising.
• Axillary Nerve Injuries or Brachial Plexus Injuries — Nerve damage in the shoulder can occur when nerves are compressed, when scar tissue blocks their electric signals, or the nerves are otherwise damaged. 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, for example a dislocation that leads to damage to the nerves. If you’re currently suffering from shoulder pain, one of our no-obligation, free injury screenings in Windsor Springs, 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 Windsor Springs, MO may use a physical examination, an X-Ray, an MRI, a CT scan, arthrogram, and/or arthroscopy to discover the cause. For most injuries or conditions that cause shoulder pain, a tailored treatment plan with professional physical therapists that specialize in movement health in Windsor Springs, MO can be a successful way to get you back to a pain-free daily life and the active lifestyle you deserve.

Treating Your Shoulder Pain in Windsor Springs, MO

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, coordinated together with your doctor, if your shoulder pain was caused by an injury that needed surgery to correct
• Kinesio Taping® to reduce pain and inflammation and keep you safe as you participate in sports or go back to work while your body heals
• Blood flow restriction training to offer your shoulder a low-intensity exercise with high-intensity benefits
• Trigger point dry needling to target harder-to-reach irritated muscles, ligaments, and tendons to stimulate blood flow
• Posture correction to ensure 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 treatment methods to optimize your mobility

Missouri Law stipulates that you need a prescription for physical therapy, so you need to reach out to your Windsor Springs, MO primary care 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 make sure you are getting the care that is safe for your condition.

Other services we offer in Windsor Springs, 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

Windsor Springs, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

Optimal movement health is essential to not only living our every day life, but to doing the things we love. At Axes, we focus on positive outcomes for our Windsor Springs, MO clients by implementing 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 activities you love and a pain-free life. Schedule an appointment through our website or reach out to the location most convenient for you.