| You've been living with the shoulder pain for a while. | | | | and applying heat is important to the overall healing |
| Maybe you thought the pain would go away after a | | | | process. |
| few weeks but it didn't. Your doctor discovers a tear. | | | | Any exercises should mimic the movements of the |
| So what should you do? There's really only a couple | | | | rotator cuff, progressively strengthening and healing |
| ways to go: surgery or rotator cuff rehabilitation. Is it | | | | the injury. Not all physical therapy programs are |
| possible to heal without surgery? The good news is | | | | created equal... be sure to do the proper research |
| that many people have healed their injured rotator | | | | before jumping in. |
| cuffs through proper and progressive rotator rehab. | | | | Random, inconsistent efforts won't cut it here. You |
| An intricate series of smaller muscles and tendons | | | | must work consistently if you want your rehab |
| make up the rotator cuff. If rest isn't taken, a tear may | | | | program to work for you. Depending on the severity |
| happen. A sudden fall where you catch yourself with | | | | of your injury, it could take many months or even a |
| an outstretched hand is also a common cause. | | | | year to fully recover. Properly done rotator cuff |
| These small muscles are endurance oriented, so any | | | | therapy has the potential to help you regain full use of |
| rotator cuff rehabilitation must be approached with light | | | | your shoulder. |
| weight and high reps. When first starting out, stay | | | | Use common sense and avoid the temptation to start |
| around 12-14 reps per set and gradually build up to | | | | performing exercises without the proper guidance. If |
| around 20-30 reps as you get stronger. | | | | this type of rehab is not done in a very specific and |
| Besides resistance training, stretching should also be | | | | progressive way, more injury and shoulder pain is the |
| included in any complete physical therapy approach. | | | | likely result. A physical therapist who specializes in |
| Greater range of motion, more mobility, increased | | | | rotator cuff rehabilitation is the only one qualified to |
| circulation and decreased shoulder pain are some of | | | | advise you. With professional guidance it is very |
| the benefits of stretching. The small muscles and | | | | possible to heal your rotator cuff and hopefully avoid |
| tendons of the rotator cuff don't receive a lot of blood | | | | intrusive surgery. |
| flow, so improving circulation with stretching, massage | | | | |