Healing Our Shoulder With Physical Therapy

What Causes Shoulder Injuries?
Most shoulder pain occurs following repetitive movements. These movements cause wear and tear that breaks down your rotator cuff tendons. Activities such as raking leaves and shoveling are common culprits that send people to seek medical attention for shoulder pain.  In addition, injuries that involve lifting can also cause increased pain in the shoulders.
What Is The Rotator Cuff?
The rotator cuff is made up of four small muscles that control movement and provide stability of the shoulder joint. Collectively, these muscles are referred to as the ‘rotator cuff’. Your shoulder is made up of the arm bone called the humerus, the shoulder blade (scapula), and your collarbone (clavicle).  The rotator cuff ensures that your arm bone moves normally in the socket and you are able to do activities such as raising your arm overhead, behind your back, and throw a ball.  The muscles of the rotator cuff attach to the shoulder bone via tendons.
How Does The Rotator Cuff tear?
When the tendons have been overused or an injury occurs that causes excessive force through the tendons, they can tear.  Tendons will either partially tear or completely tear. A tear is described in ‘degrees’ and the degree of tear is determined by the muscles affected and the thickness of the tear. Repetitive overhead motions are the most common cause of tears which is why the frequency of rotator cuff tears among construction workers and baseball players is high. As with many issues, the risk for rotator cuff tears increases with age.
How Can Physical Therapy Help?
Your therapist will be able to perform an evaluation and discuss what is causing your pain or injury. They will then put together an appropriate treatment plan tailored to your specific goals and needs. This could include strengthening exercises, as well as exercises to help improve your range of motion.
By: Devin Wurman, DPT
If you are feeling any kind of pain or discomfort in your shoulder, don’t wait to address it. HANDLE IT NOW so you can avoid more invasive medical treatment like injections or even surgery.
Call Loudoun Sports Therapy Center in Sterling, VA at 703-450-4300 and schedule your personalized evaluation with one of our physical therapists. Start your journey back to PAIN-FREE living! 

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