Rotator cuff injuries are a common problem among people of all ages, particularly those who engage in repetitive overhead activities. Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in the management of these injuries, helping to reduce pain, restore function and prevent further damage.
Your shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body. As a result, it requires a great deal of stability. Most of this stability comes from a group of muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint, called the rotator cuff. The rotator cuff holds the head of your upper arm bone firmly within the shallow socket of the shoulder. When any muscle or combination of muscles in the rotator cuff are either forcefully contracted or repetitively stressed, injury can result. A rotator cuff injury can appear as a dull ache in the shoulder, which may worsen with overhead reaching arm rotations or by sleeping on the injured shoulder.
Some common injuries that occur to the rotator cuff are an impingement, tendonitis or partial or full tear in the muscle.
Your Physiotherapist or Athletic Therapist will perform a thorough assessment to determine the nature and cause of the injury and the best course of treatment. Treatment will often include manual therapy for the muscles and tendons as well as ensuring proper joint mechanics in the shoulder and shoulder blade. Exercise therapy and education will also be important to ensure you are not further aggravating your shoulder injury in your every day life. Exercises will be targeted at increasing range of motion, stretching tight structures and strengthening the rotator cuff and surrounding muscles to be able to better take the demands you are giving it.
Registered Massage Therapy can also help by loosening the tension in the rotator cuff and surrounding muscles and tendons.
As with all injuries, this information is simply a guide, and it is always best to check in with a Physiotherapist or Athletic Therapist to have a personalized assessment and hear recommendations for what you and your body may specifically need.
Inertia Physio+ offers Kanata and Stittsville exceptional Physiotherapy, Athletic Therapy and Registered Massage Therapy with private treatment rooms, one on one care, a maximum of two patients per hour and treatment focused on the evidence based practices of manual and exercise therapy. Don’t suffer any longer. If you have pain or injury, our Kanata and Stittsville Physiotherapy, Athletic Therapy and Registered Massage Therapy team is here to help you get back to life pain free life and activities. Please reach out to us at (613) 672-2200 or info@inertiaphysio.ca for an appointment today! You are also welcome to book online. We also offer direct billing on Physiotherapy and Massage Therapy services whenever your plan allows.
