Three rotator cuff issues that physical therapy can help treat

Have you ever considered how many times per day you lift your arm? You lift it to drink coffee. You lift it to put on your jacket. You even lift it to wave at your children or grandchildren. Unfortunately, a rotator cuff issue can make these common tasks much harder, but physical therapy can help you treat several common rotator cuff issues. 

What rotator cuff problems can physical therapy treat?

The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons in your shoulder. Its primary purpose is to help you lift your arm up, especially when you’re lifting your arm overhead. This structure is one of the most commonly injured parts of the shoulder; one study reveals that up to 70% of all shoulder pain involves a rotator cuff injury.

Some common rotator cuff injuries that can benefit from physical therapy include: 

• Tendinitis — The four rotator cuff tendons can become inflamed or irritated. When this happens, it’s called rotator cuff tendinitis. This issue tends to happen when rotator cuff tendons are pinched or overstretched. 
• Muscle strain — Another common rotator cuff injury is a muscle strain. Such injuries occur when one of the rotator cuff muscles is overextended. Often, such injuries occur when heavy objects are lifted overhead. They can also develop from taking part in sports like tennis, baseball or rowing. 
• Tears — This injury occurs when one of the rotator cuff tendons or muscles develops a tear. One common way people develop rotator cuff tears is during a fall. This injury is also more common in older people. A medical study reports that 30% of people over 60 develop a partial or complete rotator cuff tear. 

What physical therapy methods can help treat a rotator cuff issue?

Physical therapists are well versed in each of the above musculoskeletal disorders. They also understand that each patient experiences their injury differently. As a result, your therapist will build you a personalized treatment plan to fit your needs. They’re able to offer this personalization because they have many therapy techniques at their disposal. 

A few of the therapy methods that may be included in your treatment plan are: 

• Therapeutic exercises designed to stretch and strengthen the rotator cuff and scapula muscles. 
• Joint mobilization intended to improve shoulder mobility. 
• Dry needling intended to stimulate healing and relieve tightness.
• Taping intended to support the injured muscles. 

Find top-notch physical therapy for your rotator cuff injury at Armor PT

Searching for effective physical therapy for a rotator cuff injury? Our team at Armor Physical Therapy is primed to help you treat your shoulder problem. We offer free screenings that can pinpoint which rotator cuff injury you’re dealing with. Then, our physical therapists can construct a therapy plan for you that’s designed to fit your unique needs and recovery goals. Even better, you can get help from our team at home thanks to our virtual therapy and at-home care services. 

Contact us today for more information about how we can treat your rotator cuff issue or to schedule an initial appointment.