Shoulder Pain in Womack, MO. Those who experience shoulder pain know the limitations it can place on your life. It can make any basic task from driving to playing volleyball frustrating and, in some cases, unfeasible. But pain and limited shoulder movement does not have to be a part of your everyday life. At Axes PT in Womack, MO, our professional physical therapists specialize in tailored treatment plans, based on evidence, to get you back to striking out opponents, or just combing your hair pain-free. Let us help you make your shoulder pain a long-forgotten memory. Schedule an appointment online or reach out to our location most convenient for you.

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

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

1. The glenohumeral (GH) joint is the joint responsible for connecting the upper extremity to the trunk. Given the relatively shallow socket, it has the widest range of motion as any other human joint.
2. The acromioclavicular (AC) joint is formed by the junction of the collarbone the acromion, the bony tip on the outer edge of the scapula. A plane style synovial joint, it allows you to outstretch your arm.
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 typical joint characteristics. 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 humerus, which allow for movement movement and stabilize the ball of the humerus within the shoulder socket
• the shoulder capsule, a a fluid-filled sac that surrounds and lubricates the joints in the shoulder
• the ligaments of the shoulder which help connect bone to bone and provide stability for the capsule
• the biceps tendon and rotator cuff tendons which attach muscle to bone
• the brachial plexus nerves that allow for the brain and muscles to communicate with each other
• the blood vessels that supply nutrient-rich 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. Blood must be allowed to reach the shoulder keep oxygen levels and muscles strong and repair minor damage. The muscles must have adequate strength and flexibility, the tendons attaching bone and muscle must be strong, flexible, and free of rips or tears, 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 parts are not at optimal health, it can lead to a disruption of the whole complex, 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 complimentary injury screening.

What Causes Shoulder Pain?

Shoulder pain can be caused by a variety of circumstances, from sports injuries to falls, a work injury from overuse to our bodies just getting weaker as we get older. The following are the most common underlying conditions that lead to shoulder pain in Womack, MO:

• Bursitis — The bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that act as shock absorbers and reduce friction in joints. Bursitis occurs when the bursae because inflamed after repeated activities, often occurs in association with irritation of the rotator cuff, and can make daily activities like laying down to go to sleep exceedingly difficult.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis generally occurs because of inflammation or irritation of a tendon. It typically falls into one of two categories:
  • Acute: This can happen because of trauma, repeated throwing, or other overhead activities common in some sports and fields of employment, such as volleyball or lifting and lowering boxes.
  • Chronic: This can happen because of wear and tear or general weakness as we age.

  Symptoms include smarting pain, tenderness, and mild swelling.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be acute, like a blow to the shoulder, or wear and tear. They begin with fraying and ultimately tear. People often live with partial tears unaware. Complete tears, which go all the way through the tendon, do not heal by themselves. Common symptoms are pain with certain motions, pain when sleeping, and a popping sensation when performing specific movements.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement occurs when your acromion (outer edge of your scapula) rubs against the soft tissue in your shoulder. It often occurs alongside an injury that causes inflammation in the rotator cuff. Shoulder impingement occurs the most in people who play sports or are otherwise active.
• Shoulder Instability — This happens when the ball of the upper arm bone is forced out of the shoulder socket, and also can be the result of injury or overuse. Dislocations can be repeated and partial or the entire bone coming out of the socket. It often is accompanied by injury to the surrounding areas of the shoulder. Chronic 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 suffers from osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bones. It can be the result of tissue weakening as we become older, repeated injuries, and overuse. There is no cure for arthritis, but effective pain management can be found with Womack, MO physical and occupational therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The humerus, clavicle, and scapula are the most commonly broken bones in the shoulder. They usually happen as the result of falling a significant distance or onto a hard surface or high-impact collisions such as being tackles in a football game. The shoulder pain is usually severe, and the shoulder will experience considerable swelling 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 communication between the brain and shoulder, or the nerves burst. These injuries can cause shoulder pain along with a range of other sensations. They are usually the result of sudden trauma but can also occur because of degenerative conditions.

At times, one injury leads to another, for example instability that leads to impingement. If you’re currently suffering from shoulder pain, one of our safe, free injury screenings in Womack, MO may help determine the root of it. To diagnose shoulder pain a physician in Womack, 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 customized treatment plan with licensed physical therapists and movement health specialists in Womack, MO can be a great way to get you back to the things you love to do the most.

How Do Womack, MO Physical Therapists Treat Shoulder Pain?

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 physician, if you need surgery to relieve your shoulder pain
• Kinesio Taping® to provide support for your shoulder and allow you to participate in sports or work while your body heals
• Blood flow restriction training to improve strength while reducing overall stress on the shoulder
• Trigger point dry needling to target irritated 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 heal improperly
• Injury prevention so you can keep participating in the activities you love
• Other safe, effective exercises to optimize your mobility

Missouri Revised Statute §334.506 requires a prescription to attend physical therapy appointments, so it’s necessary to speak to your Womack, MO doctor to see if physical therapy is safe and an effective treatment option for your shoulder pain. Our experienced physical and occupational therapists are responsible and work closely with your primary care physician to ensure your treatment plan fits into your overall treatment plan.

Other services we offer in Womack, 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

Womack, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

A healthy shoulder is important to not only carrying out daily tasks with ease, but to keeping up the active lifestyles we desire. At Axes, we focus on positive outcomes for Womack, MO people of all ages by creating evidence-backed treatment plans based on your injury, pain level, age, and how physically active you need to be. You do not have to delay in getting back to the things you love doing most and a pain-free life. Request an appointment online or find our location most convenient for you.