| If you are experiencing ongoing shoulder pain, it's | | | | Injuries to the rotator cuff are most often |
| possible that you may have a rotator cuff injury. | | | | accompanied by sharp sudden pain and overall |
| Although surgery is often recommended in severe | | | | weakness of the shoulder and arm. In some cases it |
| cases, physical therapy using rotator cuff muscle | | | | may just be severe bruising rather than an actual tear. |
| exercises has proven to be a very effective | | | | If you're experiencing any kind of problem with your |
| alternative. | | | | rotator cuff you should see a doctor to find out if the |
| The rotator cuff is a common trouble spot for many | | | | cause is a tear or only bruising. At this point you may |
| people, especially athletic types or as you get older. | | | | be advised to seek therapy or perhaps surgery (or |
| Often a tear happens, usually through repetitive | | | | both.) |
| stressful motions, especially overhead movements or | | | | Fortunately, there are progressive therapy programs |
| perhaps and injury due to a fall. | | | | that may allow you to heal your rotator cuff without |
| Repetitive stress problems usually develop over a | | | | surgery. It's very important to choose a therapy |
| period of time. At first the pain usually controlled with | | | | program that has a proven success rate. A good |
| over the counter pain relievers but eventually the | | | | program will include rotator cuff muscle exercises that |
| problem becomes much more severe. At this point, | | | | mimic the rotator cuff movements. This will |
| prescription pain medication, physical therapy or even | | | | progressively strengthen and eventually heal the injury |
| surgery may be needed. | | | | in many cases. |