Shoulder Pain in Wright City, MO. If you live with shoulder pain, you know the limitations it can place on your life. It can make everything from pouring a cup of coffee to playing volleyball frustrating and, in some cases, impossible. But you do not have to accept pain and limited shoulder movement. At Axes Physical Therapy in Wright City, MO, our experienced physical therapists are experts at creating personalized treatment plans, based on evidence, to get you back to optimal movement health. Let us help you safely and effectively treat your shoulder pain. Request an appointment through our website or find the location nearest you.

The Human Shoulder | Shoulder Pain in Wright City, MO

The shoulder is among the largest and most intricate joints we have. In actuality, what is referred to as the shoulder joint is made up of four different joints:

1. The glenohumeral (GH) joint is a ball and socket 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 clavicle the acromion, the part of the scapula 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 plane-style synovial joint located where the clavicle meets the sternum at the bottom of the neck. This joint is where the arm and body meet, 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 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 covering the head of the upper arm bone, which power movement and stabilize and protect the GH joint
• the shoulder capsule, a a fluid-filled sac that surrounds and lubricates the shoulder
• the four shoulder ligaments which attach bones together and provide stability for the capsule
• the biceps tendon and rotator cuff tendons which connect muscle to bone
• the brachial plexus nerves that allow for the brain and muscles to communicate with each other
• the arteries that supply much-needed blood to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons

Being able to move your shoulder pain free depends on every part of the system functioning well. Blood must be allowed to reach the shoulder keep oxygen levels and muscles strong 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 intact and strong, the ligaments that attach our 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 often causes shoulder pain and movement problems. If if shoulder pain or poor shoulder movement is part of your daily life, contact Axes’ physical therapists for a complimentary injury screening.

What’s Behind My Shoulder Pain?

Shoulder pain can be caused by numerous different 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 Wright City, 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 overuse, often occurs at the same time as rotator cuff tendinitis, and can make basic activities like getting in and out of cars tremendously painful.
• 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 sports and occupations, such as tennis or lifting boxes above your head.
  • Chronic: The result of degenerative conditions or the body becoming weaker as we get older.

  Symptoms include aching, throbbing, and slight swelling.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be acute, like a blow to the shoulder, or more chronic in nature. They usually start with fraying and then tear. People often live with partial thickness tears unaware. Full-thickness tears, which pull the tendon off the bone, do not heal by themselves. Common symptoms are having difficulty raising your arm or lifting things you normally can, pain when lying on the side of the affected shoulder, and a grinding feeling with specific motions.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement occurs when your acromion (outer edge of your shoulder blade) pinches the rotator cuff and bursae. 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 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. Chronic instability will result in shoulder pain and a sense of the shoulder “giving way.”
• Arthritis — While there are at least six kinds of arthritis, osteoarthritis is the form that typically affects the shoulder. Osteoarthritis is the degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bones. Common causes include tissue weakening as we become older, frequent trauma, and overuse. There is no cure for arthritis, but effective pain management is possible with Wright City, MO physical and occupational therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The upper arm bone, collarbone, and shoulder blade are the bones in the shoulder most prone to breaking. They are often 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, and the shoulder will experience substantial swelling and contusions.
• Axillary Nerve Injuries or Brachial Plexus Injuries — Nerve damage in the shoulder can occur when nerves are stretched, when scar tissue interferes with their electric signals, or the nerves rupture. Axillary nerve and brachial plexus 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 degenerative conditions.

Sometimes, injuries are intertwined, for example instability that leads to impingement. If you’re currently suffering from shoulder pain, one of our no-obligation, free injury screenings in Wright City, MO may help determine the root of it. To diagnose shoulder pain a physician in Wright City, 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 tailored treatment plan with licensed physical therapists that are experts in movement health in Wright City, MO can be an effective way to return to the things you love to do the most.

Treating Your Shoulder Pain in Wright City, MO

Your tailored and proven 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 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 go back to work while your body heals
• Blood flow restriction training to offer your shoulder a low-intensity exercise with high-intensity results
• Trigger point dry needling to target irritated soft tissue deeper in the body to stimulate blood flow
• Posture correction to make sure you are not inadvertently causing your shoulder pain or do not heal correctly
• Injury prevention so you and your shoulder and stay healthy and active
• Other safe, effective techniques to increase and maintain your mobility

Missouri Law states that you need a prescription for physical therapy, so it’s necessary to speak to your Wright City, MO physician to see if physical therapy is rights for your shoulder pain. Our experienced physical and occupational therapists are responsible and work closely with your primary care physician to make sure your treatment plan fits into your overall treatment plan.

Other services we offer in Wright City, MO include:

• 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
• Stroke Rehabilitation

Wright City, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

A healthy shoulder is imperative to not only living our every day life, but to doing the things we love. At Axes, we focus on positive outcomes for our Wright City, MO clients by implementing proven treatment plans catered to your injury, pain level, age, and how physically active you need to be. 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 call our location nearest you.