| All too often we ignore pain and carry on as normal. | | | | once we get past fifty we ignore them at our peril |
| We all have aches and pains from time to time and | | | | So prevention is better than cure, but just in case |
| most of us just get on with life regardless. If we | | | | you've left it too late, what are the classic rotator cuff |
| stopped work every time we had an ache the country | | | | symptoms? Firstly, pain and weakness in the damaged |
| would grind to a halt | | | | shoulder. This may only happen when you are using |
| But don't ignore shoulder pain, especially if it is fairly | | | | the shoulder. The most common causes of pain are |
| consistent. Rotator Cuff problems often give us plenty | | | | reaching up, or reaching for an object. Whenever you |
| of warning before they actually kick in and stop us in | | | | reach up or out the rotator cuff starts to work |
| our tracks. If you notice stiffness weakness, pain or | | | | hardest. If you are having difficulty sleeping because of |
| swelling in your shoulder it may be time to slow down | | | | shoulder pain, this is another classic symptom. Lying on |
| and take remedial action | | | | the damaged shoulder can be painful, but lying on the |
| Although some shoulder problems start as the result | | | | other side so that your damaged arm drops in front of |
| of a fall or knock, the vast majority start because of | | | | you can be equally uncomfortable. |
| simple wear and tear on the joint, either as we get | | | | If the pain is constant, it may be a sign of a badly torn |
| older or because of a repetitive stressful movement. | | | | cuff. |
| Okay, we can't do anything to stop the unexpected | | | | Most rotator cuff problems can be sorted out with |
| injury but we can take early measures to cut down | | | | rest followed by physical therapy but don't rush out |
| the damage from wear and tear. As we get older our | | | | and start lifting weights. These are a small group of |
| rotator cuff weakens through lack of exercise. We | | | | muscles that need very specific exercise to |
| carry ourselves differently to how we did as | | | | strengthen them using either no weights or very small |
| youngsters, our shape gradually changes with time. I | | | | weights and exercises that are aimed specifically at |
| only need to look at my waist line to know that that is | | | | this muscle group. |
| true. | | | | So whether it's simply shoulder pain or a full blown |
| As the rotator cuff gradually looses strength we | | | | rotator cuff injury, you will almost definitely end up |
| become prone to shoulder injuries. The right sort of | | | | exercising the muscles of the rotator cuff as part of |
| exercise done early to strengthen these muscles can | | | | your therapy. Whether that is before or after surgery |
| do a huge amount towards preventing shoulder injuries. | | | | really depends on whether or not you listen to your |
| Although these are a small group of muscles they are | | | | body and heed the warning signs. |
| key to having a healthy and strong shoulder joint and | | | | |