Shoulder Pain in Woodson Terrace, MO. If you live with shoulder pain, you know how debilitating it can be. It can make everything from pouring a cup of coffee to serving an ace on the tennis court painful and, for some of us, unfeasible. But you do not have to accept pain and limited shoulder movement. At Axes PT in Woodson Terrace, MO, our professional physical therapists create customized treatment modalities, backed by proven research, to get you back to optimal movement health. Allow us to make your shoulder pain an ancient memory. Make an appointment through our website or find the location nearest you.

The Anatomy of the Shoulder | Shoulder Pain in Woodson Terrace, MO

The shoulder is one of the human body’s largest and most intricate joints. In actuality, it is a complex of four joints:

1. The glenohumeral (GH) joint is the joint where the humerus (upper arm bone) fits into the socket of the glenoid. Given the relatively shallow dish, 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 style synovial joint, it helps extend the upper extremity from the trunk.
3. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a gliding joint located where the clavicle meets the breastbone at the base of the neck. This joint is where the arm and torso meet, it it ensures your arm and body act in coordination.
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 thoracic cage.

The shoulder is supported and surrounded by:

• the four muscles of the rotator cup that surround the head of the humerus, which are responsible for 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 shoulder
• the four shoulder ligaments which provide passive stability while still allowing for movements in different planes
• the biceps tendon and rotator cuff tendons 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 arteries that supply 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. Blood must be allowed to reach the shoulder maintain healthy soft tissue and repair minor damage. The muscles strong enough to move and flexible enough to safely make those movements, the tendons attaching bone and muscle must be strong, flexible, and free of rips or tears, the ligaments connecting bones need to be similarly healthy, and the brain and shoulder need to have clear communication with each other. When any one of the parts of the shoulder is damaged, inflamed, or otherwise irritated, it often causes shoulder pain and movement problems. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain or any other symptoms of a shoulder injury, reach out to Axes’ physical therapists for a free injury screening.

What Causes Shoulder Pain?

Shoulder pain can be caused by numerous different circumstances, 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 Woodson Terrace, 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 inflamed after overuse, often occurs at the same time as irritation of the rotator cuff, and can make basic tasks like getting dressed incredibly difficult.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis is typically caused by inflammation or irritation of a tendon. It typically falls into one of two categories:
  • Acute: The result of trauma, repeated throwing, or other overhead activities needed in some sports and fields of employment, such as swimming or lifting boxes above your head.
  • Chronic: The result of degenerative conditions or the body becoming weaker as we get older.

  Symptoms include smarting pain, throbbing, and slight swelling.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be caused by sudden trauma, such falling on an outstretched arm, or repetitive movements or old age. They usually start with fraying and then tear. People often live with partial thickness tears obliviously. Full-thickness tears, where the tendon is completely detached from the bone, do not heal by themselves. Symptoms include pain with certain motions, pain when lying on the side of the affected shoulder, and a grinding sensation when performing certain motions.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement describes when your acromion (the bony tip of your scapula) pinches the rotator cuff and bursae. It is often the result of rotator cuff swellings after an injury. Shoulder impingement is most common in people who are physically active.
• Shoulder Instability — This occurs when the humerus is exits the shoulder socket, and also can be the result of injury or wear and tear. Dislocations can be repeated and partial or the entire bone coming out of the socket. It often is accompanied by injury to the supporting soft tissue of the shoulder. Chronic instability will cause shoulder pain and unsteadiness when performing certain motions.
• Arthritis — While there are many kinds of arthritis, the shoulder most typically 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, persistent injuries, and wear and tear. Arthritis cannot be cured, but effective pain management can be found with Woodson Terrace, MO physical therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The humerus, clavicle, and scapula are the bones in the shoulder most susceptible to breaking. They usually happen as the result of falling a significant distance or onto a hard surface or forceful collisions such as being tackles in a football game. The shoulder pain is immediate and obvious, along with considerable inflammation and bruising.
• Axillary Nerve Injuries or Brachial Plexus Injuries — Nerve damage in the shoulder can occur when nerves are impinged on, when scar tissue interferes with their electric signals, or the nerves are otherwise damaged. These injuries can cause shoulder pain, stingers, tingling, and loss of feeling in your upper extremities. They are usually the result of high-impact trauma but can also happen because of wear and tear.

At times, one injury leads to another, such as instability that leads to impingement. If you’re currently suffering from shoulder pain, one of our no-obligation, free injury screenings in Woodson Terrace, 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 Woodson Terrace, MO may use a physical examination, various imaging techniques, and/or arthroscopy to discover the cause. Most people who experience shoulder pain can find recovery with a personalized treatment plan with knowledgeable physical therapists that are experts in movement health in Woodson Terrace, MO can be a successful way to return to the things you love to do the most.

Treating Your Shoulder Pain in Woodson Terrace, MO

Your tailored and proven physical therapy treatments may include:

• 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 keep you safe as you participate in physical activity 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 soft tissue 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 and your shoulder and stay healthy and active
• Other safe, effective exercises to increase and maintain your mobility

Missouri Revised Statute §334.506 requires a prescription to attend physical therapy appointments, so you need to reach out to your Woodson Terrace, MO doctor to see if physical therapy is safe and an effective treatment option for your shoulder pain. Our professional 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 Woodson Terrace, MO include:

• Back Pain Treatment
• Neck Pain Treatment
• 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

Woodson Terrace, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

A well-functioning shoulder is imperative 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 Woodson Terrace, MO residents by creating 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. Request an appointment through our website or call the location nearest you.