Have you ever heard of the rotator cuff? It's a group of muscles and tendons in your shoulder that help you move your arm and shoulder in all directions. These muscles and tendons work together to stabilize the shoulder joint and allow for smooth and pain-free movement.
But, what happens when the rotator cuff is injured? Well, that's when physical therapy comes in to play. In this blog post, we'll explore what the rotator cuff is, how it works, and how physical therapy can help.
What is the rotator cuff?
The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint. These muscles and tendons work together to keep the shoulder joint stable and help you move your arm and shoulder in all directions. The four muscles that make up the rotator cuff are:
1. Supraspinatus: This muscle is responsible for lifting your arm out to the side and away from your body.
2. Infraspinatus: This muscle helps you rotate your arm outward.
3. Teres minor: This muscle also helps with outward rotation of the arm.
4. Subscapularis: This muscle allows you to rotate your arm inward.
How does the rotator cuff work?
When you move your arm and shoulder, your rotator cuff muscles and tendons work together to stabilize the shoulder joint. The rotator cuff is responsible for keeping the head of your upper arm bone (the humerus) in the socket of your shoulder blade (the scapula).
The rotator cuff also helps with lifting, rotating, and reaching movements. For example, if you're reaching up to grab something off of a high shelf, your rotator cuff is working to stabilize your shoulder joint and lift your arm up.
How can physical therapy help with rotator cuff injuries?
If you've injured your rotator cuff, physical therapy can be a great way to help manage your pain and improve your shoulder function. A physical therapist can help you:
1. Reduce pain: Through manual therapy and targeted exercises, a physical therapist can help reduce pain and inflammation in your shoulder.
2. Improve strength and mobility: A physical therapist can design a personalized exercise program to help improve the strength and mobility of your rotator cuff muscles and tendons.
3. Prevent future injuries: By working on proper form and technique, a physical therapist can help you avoid future rotator cuff injuries.
If you're experiencing shoulder pain or have been diagnosed with a rotator cuff injury, don't hesitate to reach out to PhoenixFit Physical Therapy. Our team of experienced physical therapists can help you get back to pain-free movement and improve your overall quality of life. Book a discovery call with us today to learn more about how we can help!
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