The rotator cuff is the name for the group of muscles and tendons in your shoulder that start on the shoulder blade extending over your shoulder and anchors on the upper arm bone and surrounds the ball of the shoulder like a cuff. These muscles are known as stabilising muscles, because they hold the ball of the shoulder in the socket by balancing the forces of the bigger shoulder muscles. Tendinopathy in these tendons can lead to pain and discomfort in the shoulder especially during overhead shoulder movements, lifting weights with the involved arm and sleeping on the involved side.
Self Treatment Options
- Postural correction
- Ice therapy
- Activity modification, avoid aggravating activities where possible
- Self stretching and strengthening exercises (Your Physio can show you appropriate exercises).
How Physio can help
- Develop exercise and stretching program for you
- Use Shockwave therapy – Shock wave therapy is thought to work by inducing micro trauma to the tissue that is affected by these problems
- Use Acupuncture / Dry Needling to release tension in the shoulder muscles
- Uses Manual therapy techniques such as shoulder mobilization, soft tissue release for the shoulder muscles and passive stretches
- Taping techniques – Uses either rigid sports tape or Kinesio tape to offload the tendons, facilitate/inhibit muscles or help in alignment of the shoulder.