Rotator Cuff

You may be familiar with the general location of the rotator cuff, the shoulder. But what exactly is it? The rotator cuff refers to four specific muscles and tendons which encompass the shoulder joint.

The purpose of the rotator cuff is to assist with everyday shoulder movements. It also helps keep the shoulder joint stabile. When the rotator cuff is injured, shoulder movements may be painful and less smooth. It may also be harder to raise the arm and lift or carry objects.

Rotator cuff pain and stiffness can come about for many different reasons. Some of the most common reasons is due to repetitive use at work or overuse from working out. Other reasons may involve poor posture, underlying conditions such as arthritis, or direct trauma to the area. Even aging can be to blame for rotator cuff issues.

For rotator cuff injuries, RICE is recommended. This stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation.

Resting involves avoiding activities or movements, like lifting heavy objects, which could make the injury worse. To help temporarily numb the pain and bring down inflammation, it’s recommended to add ice to the area 20 minutes a few times throughout the day.

For the compression part of RICE, be sure to keep your shoulder well-supported with a sling. Lastly, keep your arm of the affected shoulder elevated when possible to help bring down swelling.

Yes, wellness services can absolutely support your rotator cuff injury! At Recovery Lab, we have several wellness services we recommend for this particular reason.

Localized cryotherapy is a great service to consider for rotator cuff-related soreness and inflammation. The cold air expelled from this device can help provide temporary relief while also expediting the healing process.

Red light therapy is another exceptional recovery tool to think about. The wavelengths emitted during a red light therapy session can boost cellular repair, which can speed up the repair of a torn or damaged rotator cuff. It’s also a non-invasive way to alleviate inflammation.

As your rotator cuff injury begins to heal, we recommend mobility stretching service, also known as assisted stretching. One of our experts will help gently guide your stretches to improve your flexibility and range of motion. With better mobility, you will experience less stiffness in the affected area, which can relieve pain or discomfort.

No, you do not need a diagnosis for your rotator cuff injury before scheduling one of our wellness services. We accept anyone – no doctor referral needed! However, our services do not replace standard medical treatment. These services can, however, help you along your healing journey.

You deserve to feel confident and comfortable in your decision. When in doubt, always speak to your medical care provider first before booking one of our recovery services.