Rotator Cuff Therapy

The rotator cuff is an anatomical structure that provides support to the shoulder joints. It consists of a group of four muscles and tendons that form a covering for the shoulder socket. Thus, it protects it from various types of injuries and adds stability to the joints. It also enable the shoulder joint as well as the arm to move in different directions. Sometimes, the tendons of the rotator cuff get torn due to too much of repetitive stress like lifting of heavy objects or it may get damaged because of sudden trauma. As a result, it gives rise to shoulder pain and weakness in the shoulder and arm. It is often accompanied by a popping sound during the movements of the hand and shoulder. This kind of injury can be treated with the help of therapy.

What is Rotator Cuff Therapy?

Basically, rotator cuff therapy is an exercise program especially meant for the shoulder joints. It includes weight training and stretching exercises. These exercises will tone up the shoulder muscles and add strength and flexibility to them. We all know that improvement in the blood circulation to any injured part will ensure a faster recovery. For this reason, the exercises are accompanied by massage and heat application to the affected shoulder in order to increase the blood flow and thus accelerate the process of healing. In this way, the mobility of the muscles will be restored and they will be able to carry out normal activities without any pain. The best part of this treatment is that it will reduce the chances of any further injury in the future.

Rotator Cuff Exercises

Here, we have discussed a few simple shoulder exercises that are popularly used for the recovery from rotator cuff injury. The exercises involve specific movements of the rotator cuff area. They should be done under the supervision of a specialist in order to avoid any further injury.

Exercise#1: Bend your body at the waist and let your hands hang downwards. Keep the arm and shoulder loose and relaxed and slowly move the arms in forward and backward direction. When you are lifting the arm gradually count till 3 and similarly while lowering the arm count up to six. Repeat this till you feel comfortable. This is the best way to warm up the rotator cuff muscles.

Exercise# 2: Lie down on your stomach on a bed and move your left arm straight up to the shoulder level. Then bend it to 90 degrees at the elbow so that your hand is in downward direction. Now slowly lift the hand slowly from the bed till it comes to the same level as the shoulder. Then lower the hand and place it over the bed. Continue to do this exercise till you do not feel any pain in the hand. Then repeat the same with the right hand.

Exercise#3: Then comes the weight training. At the initial stage, when you have just started torn rotator cuff therapy, you have to use very light weights and as your recover you can increase the weight. In the first week, just 2 ounces of weight will be enough. The next week you can increase it to 4 ounces, and then 8 ounces and so on. Continue the weight training till you feel tiredness in your arms.

Exercise#4: A simple way to improve the external elevation of the affected arm can be achieved with the help of a stretchable rubber band. Lie straight on your back on the bed. Hold the band in the fists of both your hands and pull it in the outward direction. Hold the band in a stretched condition as long as your hands feel comfortable.

If the rotator cuff has sustained severe damage, then surgery is required to repair the damage. Ttherapy after surgery is essential in order to heal up the structure that has sustained damage during the surgery. It is also helpful in prevention of any scar tissue in the affected area. This process of healing the injured tendons is quite slow and may require almost a year for full recovery. Hence, you have to keep patience and continue with the therapy.