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March 13, 2020

Rotator Cuff Tear, Causes – Symptoms, and Treatments in Edison, NJ

 

A resident of Edison, New Jersey doing lots of activities that cause in rotator cuff tear.  For instance, repetitive motions used in sports like tennis can lead to this injury.

Also, work-related lifting can cause a rotator cuff tear. Even the natural degeneration caused by aging can be the source of this type of shoulder injury. However, there are many physical therapy methods that are designed to help with rotator cuff tear treatment.

 

What is the rotator cuff tear?

 

The rotator cuff is a structure that’s part of the shoulder. It’s a complex structure that’s made up of four muscles and tendons, and this soft tissue has a very important job.

A rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons that help stabilize the shoulder. They also aid in movement. Every time you move your shoulder, you are using your rotator cuff to stabilize and help move the joint. The rotator cuff is a commonly injured area. The most common injuries are strains, tendinitis, and bursitis.

 

 

What are the symptoms of rotator cuff injury?

 

Not all rotator cuff injuries cause pain. Some are the result of degenerative conditions, meaning the rotator cuff could be damaged for months or years before symptoms start to appear.

Common rotator cuff injury symptoms include:

  • Avoiding certain activities because they cause pain

  • Difficulty achieving full range of shoulder motion

  • Difficulty sleeping on the affected shoulder

  • Pain or tenderness when reaching overhead

  • Pain in the shoulder, especially at night

  • Progressive weakness of the shoulder

  • Trouble reaching behind the back

If you’ve been experiencing any of these symptoms for longer than a week or lose function in your arm, see your doctor.

 

How Physical therapy can help to treat rotator cuff tears

 

physical therapy for women

 

Physical therapy is an effective way to treat the symptoms of a rotator cuff tear. One type of therapy used for this injury is passive range-of-motion exercises.

These exercises are called passive because they involve the therapist moving your shoulder in various ways, and they don’t require you to put forth any effort.

Active strengthening exercises are also used to treat injured rotator cuffs. For these exercises, you will be the one providing the force, but your physical therapist will still help you maintain proper exercise form and provide encouragement.

Other therapy methods that may also be used in your treatment plan include:

  • Electrical stimulation

  • Active Release Technique®

  • Cold laser therapy

  • Infrared light therapy

Let Health Plus Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Center at Edison, NJ help you with rotator cuff tear treatment

At Health Plus PT in Edison has a team that can help you treat an injured rotator cuff. In fact, we’ll combine many of the previously mentioned therapy methods together to create a one-on-one personalized treatment plan for you.

Take the next step toward healing your rotator cuff tear. Contact us today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.

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