| If you've sustained a shoulder injury, one that's | | | | do so much that its loss is so keenly felt when it isn't |
| affected the rotator cuff, you may wonder if you'll | | | | working right. Symptoms are varied with pain being |
| ever be back to normal again. The things most | | | | the predominant one, especially when reaching |
| people take for granted, like getting dressed or | | | | overhead or behind your back. The shoulder may be |
| reaching a glass off a top shelf, can cause agonizing | | | | tender and weak, and the tendency will be to avoid |
| pain. | | | | certain types of movements in order to alleviate the |
| What's worse is it may seem like it will never get any | | | | pain somewhat. |
| better. One can't help thinking the pain may never go | | | | This includes favoring the injured shoulder, not |
| away entirely, and that the limited range of | | | | sleeping on the hurt side, and avoiding any lifting or |
| movement is something you just have to learn to | | | | pulling, including simple efforts like putting on a coat. |
| live with. | | | | Depending on severity, the range of motion may also |
| Without a doubt, shoulder injuries can be a challenge | | | | be limited by the injury, and continuous pain and |
| to recover from, especially when they involve rotator | | | | associated muscle weakness often indicate a more |
| cuff treatment, as most of them do. This is because | | | | severe injury such as a large rotator cuff tear. |
| shoulders are one of the most complex parts of the | | | | If you're suffering now, you likely want to know how |
| body, providing a greater range of motion than any | | | | fast it can be fixed. The answer depends on the |
| other joint. | | | | type of injury which ranges from inflammation of the |
| The incredible piece of workmanship known as the | | | | muscle without any permanent damage, to a |
| rotator cuff is the group of muscles and tendons | | | | complete or partial tear of the muscle that might |
| that keep the ball of your upper arm bone firmly in | | | | require surgery. Most often, treatment involves |
| place within the shoulder socket. When working | | | | self-care measures and exercise therapy. |
| properly it allows full rotation of the shoulder thus | | | | Initial self-care allows the injury to stabilize by resting |
| providing the arm with freedom of movement in | | | | the joint, and treating it with cold and heat, using pain |
| every direction. | | | | and anti-inflammatory medications as needed. This is |
| However, this amazing range of motion can put the | | | | followed by gently exercising the affected muscles |
| shoulder under considerable stress, and as a result, | | | | after a couple days to keep the muscles limber. Once |
| rotator cuff injuries are fairly common. Repetitive | | | | the injury heals, and some range of motion has |
| overhead arm movements, strains from lifting, or the | | | | returned, the correct exercises will recondition and |
| impact shock from a fall are potential causes. | | | | strengthen the muscles. |
| Activities that involve throwing, along with reaching, | | | | Keys to recovery are not ignoring an injury when it |
| especially in cramped quarters can sometimes lead to | | | | occurs, knowing when medical intervention is |
| the injury. | | | | appropriate, and avoiding improper exercise that can |
| It's also common among people whose jobs or | | | | make the injury worse and prolong healing. In a |
| hobbies include heavy demands on their shoulders, | | | | majority of cases, where there is not an acute |
| such as athletes and construction workers. Poor | | | | problem, rotator cuff injuries are treatable with |
| posture can contribute too, plus as one gets older, | | | | stretching, strengthening, and anti-inflammatory |
| the risk of a rotator cuff injury increases even more. | | | | medication with the expectation of a full return to |
| It's precisely because the shoulder joint allows us to | | | | normal activity. |