Patient PortalRequest an Appointment

Rotator Cuff Physical Therapy: How it Can Help, Exercises, and More

Whether your passion is gardening or Crossfit, you know shoulder injuries are nothing to mess around with. They have a reputation for being painful and ridiculously slow to heal. You’ve been wondering if physical therapy can help with rotator cuff injuries. In this guide, you’ll learn about rotator cuff injuries and how physical therapy can help, including several common rotator cuff physical therapy exercises.

Table of Contents

What Is a Rotator Cuff Injury?

The rotator cuff consists of a group of four muscles and their tendons and is responsible for maintaining the stability of the shoulder joint. There are various types of rotator cuff injuries, which include:

  • Partial, complete, or acute tears
  • Tendonitis
  • Tendinosis
  • Impingement
  • Post-surgical 

While rotator cuff tears are most common in people over 60, rotator cuff injuries can occur at any age and are most frequently seen in athletes and heavy laborers. Rotator cuff injury should be taken seriously. If left untreated, rotator cuff injuries may cause severe pain as well as a decrease in range of motion and the ability to use the arm.

What Causes a Rotator Cuff Injury?

Rotator cuff injuries are common and can occur as a result of:

  • Repeated motions that result in overuse of the shoulder
  • Trauma, such as falling on an outstretched hand
  • Degeneration caused by aging

Symptoms of a Rotator Cuff Injury

How can you tell if you have a rotator cuff injury? The symptoms typically get worse over time and may include:

  • Pain or swelling on the front of your shoulder or down the outside of your arm
  • Pain or swelling when raising or lowering your arm
  • A popping or clicking sound when your arm is moved
  • The inability to lift your arm to reach up or behind your back 
  • A feeling of heaviness or weakness in your arm 
  • Pain that disturbs your sleep
  • The inability to perform your daily activities due to pain and a limited range of motion 

If any of these symptoms sound familiar, Pro~PT can help.   Get in touch with us today to see if you may be a candidate for rotator cuff physical therapy in Fresno West.

Physical Therapy for a Rotator Cuff Injury: How Can it Help?

Physical therapists are experts in helping the human body function as it should and have the know-how it takes to get your rotator cuff firing as it should. When it comes to rotator cuff injuries, physical therapists can help address the pain and stiffness and restore:

  • Range of motion
  • Muscle strength 
  • Coordination

And if you need to learn to modify your physical activity to put less stress on your shoulder, they can offer pointers for that, as well.

Acute Injury: Rotator Cuff Tear Physical Therapy

Just because someone has a torn rotator cuff, it does not necessarily mean that surgery will be required. One study showed that conservative treatments, such as rotator cuff physical therapy exercises, prove effective in 73 to 80% of patients with a full-thickness rotator cuff tear.  While rotator cuff tears do not heal on their own, many times patients can avoid surgery by seeking physical therapy for a torn rotator cuff. If you have been diagnosed with a rotator cuff tear, physical therapy protocol can help to: 

  • Strengthen your shoulder muscles
  • Decrease pain
  • Improve functionality 

And if you do choose to have surgery, physical therapy exercises after rotator cuff surgery can help you recover faster so you can get back to your normal activities as soon as possible.

Chronic Injury: Rotator Cuff Tendonitis Physical Therapy (and Other Chronic Conditions)

A physical therapist can help manage the symptoms of chronic rotator cuff injuries, including:

  • Repeated tears
  • Tendonitis
  • Impingement
  • Tendinosis

By giving you a personalized rehab evaluation, they will be able to pinpoint your problem and teach you specific exercises to relieve your pain and improve your daily life.

Physical Therapy After Rotator Cuff Surgery

If the condition is severe, rotator cuff surgery may be deemed the best option.  If so, physical therapy post rotator cuff surgery will be a huge part of the recovery process of strengthening the rotator cuff and other muscles that support the shoulder. Following the post-operative instructions provided by your surgeon, your physical therapist can apply treatments during the recovery phase to reduce pain, and once appropriate, they can implement a full rehabilitation program. Physical therapy for rotator cuff surgery may include:

  • Strengthening exercises
  • Range of motion exercises
  • Activity or sport-specific exercises 

Generally, physical therapy after rotator cuff surgery is divided into four phases:

  • Maximal protection – This is when your shoulder is the greatest risk for re-injury. During this phase, your arm will be in a sling, and you will most likely need help to accomplish your everyday activities. Your physical therapist will teach you gentle isometric strengthening and range of motion exercises. They may also perform hands-on pain-relieving treatments such as:
    • Gentle massage
    • Cold compression
    • Electrical stimulation
  • Moderate protection – This phase has the goal of restoring mobility and range of motion to your shoulder. Your rotator cuff physical therapy exercises will become a bit more challenging, with the focus of strengthening the core muscles of your:
    • Trunk
    • Rotator cuff
    • Shoulder blades
  • Return to activity – By this point, you will have regained full use of your arm for daily activities, but you won’t yet be participating in physically strenuous activities such as sports or yard work. During this time, your physical therapist may add weights or more challenging movement patterns to your rotator cuff physical therapy exercises.
  • Return to normal activities –  During this phase of rotator cuff physical therapy, your therapist will work with you on individualized activity-specific exercises, depending on your needs and goals.

How Do You Do Physical Therapy for a Rotator Cuff Injury?

The rotator cuff physical therapy protocol will be dependent on the extent of the injury and will include: 

  • An assessment
  • Personalized treatment plan
  • Condition-specific exercises

What Does The Rotator Cuff Physical Therapy Process Look Like?

Oftentimes, people choose physical therapy for rotator cuff injuries because they don’t want to have surgery. Physical therapy can help heal the intact portion of the rotator cuff in hopes of avoiding surgical intervention. The goal of rotator cuff physical therapy protocol is to: 

  • Identify any deficits in strength or function
  • Strengthen the functional areas
  • Provide isometric strengthening
  • Increase range of motion 

3 Common Rotator Cuff Physical Therapy Exercises

Are you wondering what types of rotator cuff physical therapy exercises you might be doing in physical therapy sessions?  Below we’ll look at a few of the most common. As always, it’s important not to attempt any physical therapy exercises without consulting with a physical therapist.

#1: Doorway Stretch

The doorway stretch is great for opening up your chest and keeping your shoulder and chest muscles flexible. 

  1. Stand in an open doorway.
  2. Raise your arms up to the side and bend them at a 90-degree angle, with palms forward.
  3. Rest your palms on the door frame.
  4. Slowly step forward with one foot. You will feel the stretch in your chest and shoulders.
  5. Hold for 30 seconds, step back, and relax. 
  6. Repeat 3 times.

#2: Reverse Fly

Reverse flys work your rhomboid muscles in the upper back and shoulder area. Strong upper back muscles help to balance your shoulder strength and protect your shoulders from injury. 

  1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent.
  2. Keeping your back straight, bend forward slightly at the waist.
  3. While holding a light weight in each hand, extend your arms behind you and raise them away from your body. Don’t lock your elbows. Squeeze your shoulder blades together as you do this, being sure not to raise your arms above shoulder height.
  4. Repeat for 3 sets of 10.

#3: Lawnmower Pull

Lawnmower pulls activate your trapezius and serratus anterior muscles and helps to maintain overall shoulder health.

  1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
  2. Place one end of a resistance band underneath one foot. Hold the other end so that the band goes diagonally across your body.
  3. Keeping your other hand on your hip, avoid locking your knees and bend slightly at the waist so that the hand holding the band is parallel to the opposite knee.
  4. Just as though you were starting a lawnmower in slow motion, straighten upright while pulling your elbow across your body to your outside ribs. Be sure to keep your shoulders relaxed and squeeze your shoulder blades together as you stand.
  5. Repeat for 3 sets of 10.

How Long Is Physical Therapy for Rotator Cuff Injuries?

The length of time an individual will need rotator cuff physical therapy exercises will vary by patient and depends on:

  • The severity of the injury
  • Surgical procedures
  • Overall physical health
  • The goals of the patient

Physical therapy exercises for a torn rotator cuff will differ from those needed for general rotator cuff overuse.  For those with sports injuries, returning to heavy lifting or other strenuous activities may not begin for 1-4 months, depending on whether the individual needed to have surgery or not.

Can Rotator Cuff Physical Therapy Prevent Re-Injury?

Absolutely. Rotator cuff physical therapy exercises can help improve overall function and strengthen the rotator cuff to prevent reinjury in the future. Your physical therapist will be able to help you reduce the progression of symptoms, especially if you seek assistance at the first signs of shoulder discomfort. Not only can they help you strengthen your rotator cuff muscles, but physical therapists can train you to avoid potentially harmful positions, and can help you determine when it’s appropriate for you to return to your regular activities.

The Licensed Physical Therapists at PRO~PT Are Here for Your Rotator Cuff Physical Therapy Needs

The licensed physical therapists at Pro~PT specialize in the evaluation and various types of physical therapy treatments of rotator cuff injuries.  We can get you on the road to recovery and back to doing the things you love. Get in touch with us today to request an appointment.

Categories: Shoulder Problems• May 10, 2021