A Torn Rotator Cuff is No Easy Fix!

A torn rotator cuff is a condition where the ligamentsthere prior to the injury and hopefully to protect the
in the shoulder are torn. This condition tends to afflictarea from further injury. There are many exercises
those engaged regularly in a situation where their armthat can be done which will help with the strengthening
is raised in repetitive motions often. Some hobbies orprocess. Most of these exercises involve lifting a
professions that may cause this condition areweight with the arm and shoulder. For example, one
orchestra conductors, American football quarterbacks,exercise involves the patient to lie on a weight bench
baseball pitchers, water polo players, volleyball players,on his side and then lift the weight to a 90 degree
shot put players who are using improper technique,angle. There are other treatment options for torn
choral conductor, tennis players, and cricket players.rotator cuff
Each of these are using their arm overhead frequently,A torn rotator cuff can obviously cause quite a
often in a swinging motion.disruption in normal activity for the conditioned athlete
A torn rotator cuff is not a pleasant injury and theor for someone who has a profession that resting the
treatment can vary quite a bit. The first and mostrotator cuff would adversely affect. It's important to
conventional way to treat a torn rotator cuff is by therespect the injury and give it the rest and attention it
R.I.C.E. method which is frequently recommended byrequires to properly heal. Not allowing it to properly heal
doctors of many kinds. R.I.C.E. stands for Rest, Ice,can make the injury worse and could lead to a higher
Compression, and Elevation. If the pain is extensivepossibility of more serious treatment options. It is
enough to prevent sleep, using a cold compression forincredibly important to treat the body well. After all, if
15 minutes prior to going to bed may be of significantyou could only have one car for the rest of your life,
help. In some severe cases, surgery may beyou would make sure to get it the scheduled
necessary. This is something to be discussed at lengthmaintenance, oil changes, and keep everything in
with a doctor before a decision is made.check. And if that car had a problem, you would surely
After treatment is complete, the next step in the tornstop driving it and get it fixed rather than risk
rotator cuff process is going to be to strengthen thepermanent damage. We must treat our body this well
area. Strengthening is important to restore what wasor better. We do only get one.