Shoulder pain could be an indication that your rotator cuff is injured. The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint. It keeps the head of the upper arm bone firmly within the shallow socket of the shoulder. The role of the rotator cuff is to provide stability to the shoulder joint and help to produce movement such as lifting and rotating the arm.
Rotator Cuff Pain
Rotator cuff injuries are common among people who have jobs that require repeatedly performing overhead motions, such as painters and carpenters, as this repeated motion can cause the tendons and muscle fibres in the shoulder to strain. It is also very common between the ages of 40-60 years old.
Rotator cuff pain is usually caused by swelling of the tendon (also known as tendinopathy) or a tendon tear. Rotator cuff pain can also be caused by bursitis, where the bursa located on top of the rotator cuff is inflamed.
Some symptoms of rotator cuff injuries are pain on the side of the upper arm and weakness in the shoulder. The pain can be a dull ache with an occasional sharp pain when performing certain movements. The pain may also worsen at night. Patients often find it challenging to lift their arms and put their hands behind their backs, typically during overhead activities such as during sports, gym activities or commonly, in everyday tasks like brushing your hair or putting a coat on.
Easing Rotator Cuff Pain With 3 Proven Techniques
There are three popular ways for easing rotator cuff pain:
Physiotherapy
Non-invasive and easily accessible, Physiotherapy is usually one of the first treatments suggested to ease rotator cuff pain. Exercises tailored to the specific location of your rotator cuff injury can help restore flexibility and strength to your shoulder. During your initial assessment, a physiotherapist will carry out specific tests to gain more information about your injury. This can provide a good idea of the cause of the injury. The physiotherapist will then be able to advise on some rotator cuff stretches and exercises you can do to help improve the strength and movement of your shoulder. Having continuous physiotherapy sessions will make for a good recovery.
Steroid Injections
In the case where physiotherapy does not alleviate the pain, you may be offered a steroid injection. Steroid injection therapy can help reduce swelling and pain in your shoulder, which may reduce symptoms sufficiently so that you can continue with physiotherapy exercises. However, steroid injections can have side effects, and it is necessary to weigh up the benefits and risks of having one. Always speak to an accredited therapist before going ahead with treatment.
Surgery
If your rotator cuff injury is caused by a sudden injury, or it is a long-term injury that has not been solved by other treatment options, you may need surgery. There are three types of surgery for rotator cuff injury: open surgery, mini-open surgery, and keyhole surgery. The type of surgery recommended is dependent on how severe the injury is.
Following rotator cuff surgery, you will need to commit to a rehabilitation programme to regain strength and improve the range of movement in your shoulder. Our physiotherapists have extensive experience developing post-surgery rehabilitation programmes.
How Can True Physio Help?
Physiotherapy is a holistic and evidence-based approach to easing rotator cuff pain. Not only does it provide long-term relief and improve your quality of life but also gets to the root of the rotator cuff pain.
An initial assessment at True Physio allows our physiotherapists to understand your medical history, perform a physical examination, functional assessment, as well as pain and movement assessment. Our physiotherapists focus on treating the root causes of your rotator cuff pain to prevent future recurrences.
As your trusted local physiotherapy clinic with decades of experience, we can help you kickstart your rotator cuff pain treatment journey so that you can resume your activities pain-free. We have 10 clinics around the UK and our physiotherapists are trained and qualified to assess, diagnose, and treat rotator cuff pain. From knee pain relief to back pain relief, physiotherapy is a highly effective treatment option for a range of pain and injuries.
Begin your pain-free journey today by booking an appointment with us or a free 15-minute online / phone consultation.
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