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

How Physical therapy can help to treat rotator cuff tears

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

Schedule Your Appointment with Health Plus Physical Therapy

At Health Plus PT, our Rotator Cuff Tear program helps patients regain shoulder strength and mobility. Through targeted exercises and hands-on therapy, many notice reduced pain and improved movement early in treatment—leading to lasting recovery and a better quality of life.

Contact us today to get started and book your appointment!