Rotator Cuff Exercises May Be Just Enough To Avoid Surgery
Exercises are an important part of post-surgical and non-surgical treatments but it is important to note that they should only be done if they are approved by your doctor.
Along with rest, periods of ice and heat and anti-inflammatory medications, rotator cuff exercises can be used to resolve most rotator cuff problems.
If you find after time that the exercises are not working, there is a good chance you will need to consider other forms of treatment.
Unfortunately, this may include surgery.
When you begin doing the exercises that were approved by your doctor or physical therapist, you will need to start slowly.
Don't try to do too much early on and stop if necessary.
Overworking the shoulder may only worsen the problem in your already damaged rotator cuff.
Avoid motions in your everyday activities that may cause your shoulder to be overly stretched.
For example, if you are seated at your desk and reach behind you to grab something off of the table behind you, this may cause your shoulder to stretch in a dangerous manner.
Be aware of your limits and avoid motions that may cause more harm.
If you have already had your rotator cuff surgically repaired, your doctor and physical therapist will most certainly develop an exercise plan to help you regain the strength and flexibility in your shoulder.
These exercises would be similar to the ones used in the non-surgical treatment of a rotator cuff disorder because the need to increase range of motion, flexibility and strength are important to stabilizing your shoulder no matter which treatment you are engaged in.
As with any exercise program, your results will completely depend on you.
Although there are no guarantees that exercises alone will be enough to avoid needing surgery, you will only benefit from the program if you are fully committed to doing only approved the exercises as recommended.
This includes doing them with proper technique and body mechanics and for the duration of time set forth in the program.
Do not continue an exercise program for a longer than the recommended period of time, especially if you are experiencing pain.
Consult your doctor or physical therapist immediately for a modified plan if you experience pain for longer than two hours after your workout.
We know that most rotator cuff disorders can be resolved with a combination of exercises, rest, ice, heat and perhaps even a few anti-inflammatory drugs.
Exercises can help relieve the pain in your shoulder by stretching and strengthening the muscles.
Giving the muscles proper time to rest in between physical activity will give them time to heal.
Ice or heat will help reduce swelling or inflammation as will anti-inflammatory drugs.
The combination of all of these home remedies may just be enough to help you avoid surgery and give you back your life of a pain-free rotator cuff.