| p>What are the rotator cuff muscles, and what | | | | to further injury. Your first priority is to remove |
| happens when we have a rotator cuff injury? The | | | | inflammation from the muscles of the rotator cuff by |
| rotator cuff muscles, the group of muscles surrounding | | | | applying the RICE treatment (Rest, Ice, Compression, |
| the shoulder joint, are essential in the performance of | | | | Elevation) along with pain and/or anti-inflammatory |
| everyday activities such as typing, driving, reaching, | | | | medications. Removing inflammation will help relax the |
| lifting, etc, but also take a lot of strain in more | | | | muscle, which accomplishes three objectives: |
| strenuous activities like tennis, weight lifting, rowing and | | | | |
| other sports. | | | | 1. Relaxed muscles occupy less space and therefore |
| So how do these muscles work? The four muscles of | | | | there is less chance of abrasion of the tendons and |
| the rotator cuff muscles wrap around the arm bone, | | | | muscles on the bones of the shoulder joint. |
| attaching it to the bones of the shoulder and holding it | | | | 2. The relaxed muscle exerts less pull on the irritated |
| in the hollow of the joint. The rotator cuff plays a key | | | | tendons and therefore less pain. |
| role in all movements at the head of the arm bone. It | | | | 3. Relaxed muscles allow greater circulation of blood |
| helps lift the arm forward, pull it back, lift it to the side, | | | | and nutrients and therefore give the damaged tissues |
| and circle it all the way around. | | | | greater efficiency in healing and a speedy recovery. |
| We use our arms and shoulders all day long for | | | | Depending on the degree of injury in your shoulder, the |
| habitual movements like driving, typing, carrying bags, | | | | treatment options following this will vary. However, the |
| cooking food, walking the dog, and so on. The | | | | most important thing is restoring resiliency to the |
| repetition of daily tasks can cause limited range of | | | | muscles and keep them from pulling the shoulder into |
| motion, as well as a hardening and shortening of the | | | | further damage. Self massage and yoga therapy |
| muscles in the complex structure of the shoulder, | | | | exercises can be a great help in shoulder pain relief. |
| which can lead to damage and inflammation. | | | | The muscles of the Rotator Cuff are delicate, |
| While we might be tempted to ignore shoulder pain, | | | | complex, and prone to injury, however with a little |
| that is usually a bad idea. The first step to healing a | | | | maintenance, and a regular exercise and massage |
| rotator cuff injury is to give your shoulder a | | | | routine, you can have healthy shoulders for life! |
| break-playing or working through the pain will only lead | | | | |