Rotator Cuff Rehab

Rotator cuff rehab is a complex area. If you have this to face, or are living it now, you will understand the importance of a positive approach. There will be times when you doubt yourself. Doubt you are doing things right, doubt you are making progress.

That is natural, if you ever feel like that, don't worry, just keep going. Stopping and doing nothing is the very worst thing you can do.

As part of your rehab,you will be given a set of rotator cuff rehab exercises. It is essential that you try to complete them all. It is no good just picking the ones you like or are most comfortable with.

Unfortunately, there is no such thing as the best rotator cuff injury exercise or best rotator cuff stretch. To be effective your rehab has to be based upon a series of different exercises.

Why a series of exercises?

Each of the four cuff muscles has a distinct role to play in both shoulder stability and movement. The shoulder is a ball and socket joint capable of moving the arm through a huge range of different positions. To enable full shoulder function to be restored by rotator cuff tear rehab, it is imperative that each muscle is targeted individually.

Benefits of rehab

One of the key points with rotator cuff rehab is that the sooner you start the faster the recovery will be. Do not despair if you have an old injury; all is definitely not lost. It is never too late to start. Taking positive action at any point to improve and strengthen your cuff muscles will provide real and noticeable benefits.

What is going on that makes early intervention so desirable? Why is it so important?

Within damaged, inflamed or injured tissue there is increased fluid between the cells. New collagen tissue is laid down by the body in an attempt to heal the injured tissue. If the shoulder is immobilised, or not exercised correctly, the increased fluid means collagen will be laid down in a haphazard manner. This haphazard collagen production results in the creation of an excess of scar tissue.

One purpose of rotator cuff rehab, including stretching and strengthening is to avoid or reduce scarring. The exercises used are aimed at stimulating the laying down of collagen along the lines of stress and weakness. This leads to the formation of normal, healthy and strong tendon tissue.

Always remember to follow these simple rules. Warm up, exercise gently - the cuff muscles are small, include stretching exercises, always exercise comfortably within the limits of any pain. Yes it may be uncomfortable but STOP on pain!