Your rotator cuff is comprised of the muscles and tendons surrounding your shoulder joint. Sometimes, the rotator cuff can become torn or injured, due to repetitive overhead motions performed in sports (such as tennis) or jobs (such as carpentry). Athletes are also at risk of developing a rotator cuff injury if they participate in rigorous activities, such as weightlifting, swimming, or tennis.
WITH THE HELP OF PHYSICAL THERAPY Recover Quickly from a Rotator Cuff Injury
Your rotator cuff is comprised of the muscles and tendons surrounding your shoulder joint. Sometimes, the rotator cuff can become torn or injured, due to repetitive overhead motions performed in sports (such as tennis) or jobs (such as carpentry). Athletes are also at risk of developing a rotator cuff injury if they participate in rigorous activities, such as weightlifting, swimming, or tennis. The active movements associated with sports and laborious work are undoubtedly important factors to keep in mind; however, passive movements can also be contributing factors to an injury. Continuous poor posture and improper positioning of the shoulders can make your scapula, or shoulder blade, much more vulnerable to pain and rotator cuff injuries. Those who experience rotator cuff injuries or “torn shoulders” generally report a dull ache deep in their shoulder, arm weakness, difficulty reaching behind their back, and disturbed sleep due to pain. At Regional Physical Therapy, our natural and non-invasive methods can help relieve your shoulder pain and heal your rotator cuff injury. How can physical therapy help a rotator cuff injury? While rotator cuff injuries sometimes require surgery if they are severe enough, there are several cases where physical therapy treatments can work just as well (if not better) than surgery. According to the American Physical Therapy Association, “A recent study from Finland asserts that when it comes to treatment of nontraumatic rotator cuff tears, physical therapy alone produces results equal to those produced by arthroscopic surgery and open surgical repair.” In this same study, a follow-up on 167 patients receiving physical therapy alone for their rotator cuff injuries, demonstrated that conservative treatment, such as physical therapy, should be considered as the primary treatment for this condition. Additionally, many physical therapists have the credentials and professional training to perform real time musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSKUS)to the shoulder that gives excellent scans or pictures of the joint, tendons, muscles and ligaments. This allows us to know specifically what is injured and directs the treatment program for the patient. Regional Physical Therapy has physical therapists trained to perform this specific scan and allows us to
better treat our patients. How do I know if physical therapy is needed? It is natural to experience an occasional ache or pain from overexertion. However, it is when the pain becomes chronic or unbearable that the condition becomes serious. Chronic pain, or pain persisting for three months or longer, is an indication that PT intervention is needed. There are some additional symptoms to consider that may also be telling signs that treatment is needed, such as: • Sharp or stinging pains. • Uncomfortable “clicking” sounds with movement. • Dull pain that runs alongside your arm. • Sudden arm weakness. • Night Pain. If you notice any of these symptoms, it is important to contact a physical therapist for treatment. How can I begin treatments? At Regional Physical Therapy, we will conduct a physical evaluation and diagnostic tests to determine if you do indeed have a rotator cuff tear, and we will design a personalized treatment plan based on the needs of your diagnosis. Specialized techniques, such as ice and heat therapies, manual therapies, or ultrasound may be used to relieve pain, reduce swelling, and enhance function. Gentle stretches and exercises may also be prescribed to improve your posture and the range of motion of your shoulder. If you are suffering from a rotator cuff injury, contact us today. Our dedicated physical therapists will provide you with some much-needed relief and get you started on your path toward recovery!
You Don’t Need A Prescription! In the state of Oklahoma you can seek physical therapy first, without a physician referral, to get the help you need quickly! www.regionalpt.com
Feel Better
EXERCISE & PAIN RELIEF
If you have back or joint pain, there are probably some times when all you want to do is lie in bed all day. It’s tempting, but it might make the problem worse. Doctors used to prescribe bed rest for back pain and other chronic pain conditions, but studies have found that people who exercise and stay flexible manage their pain much better than those who don’t. If you do have a chronic pain condition like back pain or hip, knee, or shoulder problems, you shouldn’t begin an exercise program without guidance. Check with your physical therapist first. They have the expertise to help you develop an individualized exercise program. Have a professional; a physical therapist show you what is appropriate to do given your condition.
Here are 7 exercises/activities you should do to alleviate pain:
1. Walking 2. Swimming 3. Yoga 4. Tai Chi 5. Pilates 6. Stretching 7. Aerobics
BEEF & BUTTERNUT CHILI
• 1 tbsp minced fresh garlic • 2 tsp diced jalapeño pepper • 2/3 cup dry red wine • 1 1/2 tsp ground ancho chile pepper • 1 tsp dried oregano • 1/2 tsp ground red pepper • 1/4 tsp ground cumin
• 1 (28-oz) can whole tomatoes, chopped • 1 (15-oz) can no-salt, kidney beans • 2 cups (1/2-inch) cubed butternut squash • 1 cup chopped carrot • 6 tbsp reduced-fat sour cream • 2 tbsp fresh cilantro leaves
INGREDIENTS: • Cooking spray • 1 tbsp canola oil • 1 1/2 lbs boneless chuck roast • 3/4 tsp salt • 1 1/2 cups chopped onion • 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper • 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1/4 tsp ground coriander • 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
DIRECTIONS: Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add 1 teaspoon oil; swirl. Sprinkle beef with salt. Add beef to pan; sauté 8 minutes, turning to brown on all sides. Remove beef. Add 2 teaspoons oil to pan. Add onion and bell pepper; sauté 3 minutes. Add tomato paste, garlic, and jalapeño; sauté 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add wine; bring to a boil, scraping pan. Cook 2 minutes. Return beef to pan. Stir in ancho chile pepper and the next 7 ingredients (through kidney beans), and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to medium, and simmer gently for 1 hour. Add butternut squash and 1 cup carrot, and simmer for 1 hour or until beef is tender. Ladle 1 1/3 cups chili into each of 6 bowls, and top each with 1 tablespoon sour cream and 1 teaspoon cilantro.
The staff at Regional Physical Therapy is focused on keeping you healthy and our equipment and facilities clean. To prevent the spread of COVID-19, we want to also encourage our patients to help prevent the spread of coronavirus by: We're Staying Safe!
CLEANING HANDS OFTEN
AVOID TOUCHING YOUR FACE WITH UNWASHED HANDS
STAYING HOME IF YOU ARE SICK
Patient Success Story
Exercise Essential “I loved my therapy sessions here. I never wanted to miss one. From day one of my therapy I began to feel better. I am now able to do things I haven’t done in years without pain. I would proudly refer anyone in pain to this office. The therapist are wonderful and caring people. The office staff make you feel welcome as soon as you walk in. And when you’re in pain that first impression really makes a difference. And every session when I left from my therapist to the office staff made me feel so good. I am looking
SHOULDER X ROTATION Helps relieve shoulder tightness.
Move through the following four shoulder positions slowly and one right after another, forming an X pattern. Repeat 10 times on each shoulder. As this becomes easier you may add resistance to the movements.
exercises copyright of
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