Can You Fix Rotator Cuff Pain With Exercise?

The simple answer is yes, most of the time. I include most of the time at the end of that simply because there are some rotator cuff injuries that will need corrective surgery or may benefit from surgery because of amount of damage done. However most rotator cuff pain comes from fairly easy to fix shoulder problems most of which can be treated successfully with physical therapy. (that's exercise to most of us) If you have torn a rotator cuff tendon badly or actually managed to get a full thickness tear then surgery is going to be likely.

The rotator cuff is a small but very important group of muscles which run from the shoulder blade at one end and fix to the upper arm or humerus at the other. They cover the shoulder in a cuff of muscle, hence the name. They are very tightly connected and weave around and under the bones of the shoulder so any inflammation caused by injury will result in pain. The pain is usually associated with certain movements such as reaching up or out. The rotator cuff is prone to problems as we get older and if we do a job or sports activity that includes a lot of overhead movement.

If you damage these muscles it is important to rest them at first as continuing to use these muscles when they are already inflamed can cause serious injury. Any swelling needs to be treated with non-steroidal drugs such as Ibuprofen. Ice packs will also help to reduce|in reducing} pain and inflammation. Once the injured muscle has settled down, you can begin gentle shoulder specific exercises to strengthen the muscles of the rotator cuff.

These exercises will involve small movements with little or no resistance initially. The rotator cuff is made up of small muscles. Using weights will tend to defeat the whole object by exercising the major muscles of the shoulder and ignore the ones you are trying to fix. Rotator cuff specific exercises will focus on strengthening these muscles which are key to having a healthy shoulder joint.

It is essential not to try working through this type of injury. The pain is caused by tendons impinging on the bone of the joint. If you ignore it and continue to use the shoulder you will mess up the muscle even further. Think of it as an old tow rope rubbing against a sharp edge. Carry on for long enough and eventually it will wear through an dsanp completely. If your rotator cuff snaps you will be going to need major surgery and a long period of recuperation and you will still end up doing the therapy that could have sorted your shoulder out in the first place.

So don't self diagnose when it comes to rotator cuff pain. Make sure you get examined and diagnosed by a professional and then get the right kind of exercise programme to do when the problem has started to settle down. Once your shoulder is better, keep up the exercises to make sure that your shoulders stay healthy and you avoid any further problems