Shoulder pain can significantly impact our daily lives, restricting our movement and hindering our ability to perform routine tasks. The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and their tendons that surround the shoulder joint. These muscles include the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis.
When the rotator cuff becomes injured or inflamed, it can lead to pain, weakness and restricted movement. This can occur due to repetitive movements, trauma, or age-related changes to our muscles and joints. Thankfully, physiotherapy can provide an array of benefits for people with rotator cuff related shoulder pain.
The rotator cuff plays a crucial role in dynamic stabilisation of the shoulder and allowing for a wide range of motion. It works by keeping the head of the upper arm bone(humerus) securely within the shoulder socket, enabling movements such as lifting, rotating, and reaching. The tendons of the rotator cuff also provide support and strength to the shoulder joint, facilitating smooth and controlled movements.
In this blog we will explore how physiotherapy can alleviate pain, restore function, and improve overall quality of life!
- Accurate diagnosis:
When experiencing shoulder pain, seeking a physiotherapy assessment is crucial. Physiotherapists are trained to identify the contributing factors to your pain and if it is indeed related to the rotator cuff, or one of the many other components of the shoulder joint. This accurate diagnosis allows for a individualised, targeted treatment plan for you, ensuring the most effective and efficient recovery.
- Pain relief:
Physiotherapy can employ various techniques to relieve pain associated with rotator cuff injuries. Manual therapy, such as joint mobilisations and soft tissue massage can help alleviate muscle tightness and reduce inflammation. Along with taping, bracing and other modalities, we can assist to reduce your pain so that you can progress your rehabilitation more quickly.
- Restoring range of motion and strength:
The shoulder’s range of motion and strength are often compromised due to rotator cuff injuries. Physiotherapy incorporates specific exercises and stretches designed to improve your mobility and improve our movement patterns. Graded strengthening exercises are implemented to build the musculature around the shoulder, improving stability, endurance, control and reducing the risk of future injuries.
- Rehabilitation and functional recovery:
Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in the rehabilitation process following rotator cuff surgery or throughout conservative management of rotator cuff injuries. Physiotherapists develop tailored rehabilitation programs to promote proper healing, prevent postoperative complications, and optimise functional recovery (getting you back to what’s most important to you!). These programs typically include exercises to improve strength, flexibility, and coordination, gradually reintroducing patients to their regular activities.
- Posture awareness:
Shoulder pain can be affected by our posture and the positions we place ourselves into. This can place unecessary stresses on the rotator cuff and cause irritation to the muscles or tendons from repetitive actions or increased load through the joint. Physiotherapy can focus on improving individuals’ awareness of their posture, teaching biomechanic principles and ergonomic recommendations to reduce strain and aggravation of the shoulder, promoting healthier habits and alleviating shoulder pain.
- Patient education and self-management:
Physiotherapy is not just about treatment of your injury within the session. It is equally important that you understand your injury and feel empowered to do your part in your recovery. Physiotherapists can educate you about your condition, explain the anatomy, causes and contributing factors related to your injury. Futhermore, they provide guidance on self-management strategies, including home exercises, pain management techniques and lifestyle modifications, empowering you to take an active role in your recovery.
- Injury prevention:
Physiotherapy aims to prevent future injuries by identifying and addressing any underyling biomechanical issues that contributed to the initial rotator cuff injury. Through targeted exercises and education, individuals learn proper body mechanics, strengthening the surrounding muscles, and minimizing the risk of re-injury. By adding preventive measures, individuals can maintain shoulder health and enjoy an active, pain-free lifestyle.
Rotator cuff related shoulder pain can be debilitating, affecting everyday activities and diminishing quality of life. Fortunately, physiotherapy offers a comprehensive approach to address and manage this condition effectively. From accurate diagnosis and pain relief to rehabilitation and injury prevention, physiotherapy plays a vital role in alleviating pain, restoring function, and improving overall well-being. If you or someone you know is experiencing shoulder pain, consider consulting one of the physiotherapists at Sound CBR to begin the journey towards recovery and regain the joy of pain-free movement!
Written by Stephen Batger (Physiotherapist & Exercise Physiologist)