Fortunately, rotator cuff injuries can be prevented. It is suggested to do stretches and exercises that target the shoulder daily if you know you could be prone to rotator cuff injuries or have had issues with your rotator cuff in the past. It is equally important to exercise the back of the shoulders and back muscles as it is to exercise the front of the shoulders and chest muscles.
Here are three examples of basic rotator cuff exercises that anyone can do to prevent this injury.
Here are three examples of basic rotator cuff exercises that anyone can do to prevent this injury.
Proper posture is also key for preventing rotator cuff injuries. According to the PT in Motion magazine for physical therapists, "A shoulder problem could be more than just a shoulder problem; it could be a combination of neck and shoulder, ribs, and scapula involvement." It is equally as important to make sure all the muscles surrounding the shoulder and back are properly strengthened to prevent injury to other parts of the body.
Why Do I Want to Take the Time to Prevent a Rotator Cuff Injury?
If a person does not take the time a few days a week to do exercises and stretches to prevent rotator cuff injuries, they could end up with a rotator cuff tear. The only "fix" for a rotator cuff tear is surgery, which costs about $20,000, and can take 6 months to a year of physical therapy to get back to a "normal" level of functioning. In discussion with my mentor, Kim Snider, who is a physical therapist for Northeast Georgia Medical Center, I learned that even after a year of physical therapy, the patient still usually doesn't have the full level of functioning they had before the injury, and they possibly will never get 100% better.
It is much easier to take 10-20 minutes every other day to strengthen your shoulder than to go through surgery and 6-12 months of intense physical therapy.
Why Do I Want to Take the Time to Prevent a Rotator Cuff Injury?
If a person does not take the time a few days a week to do exercises and stretches to prevent rotator cuff injuries, they could end up with a rotator cuff tear. The only "fix" for a rotator cuff tear is surgery, which costs about $20,000, and can take 6 months to a year of physical therapy to get back to a "normal" level of functioning. In discussion with my mentor, Kim Snider, who is a physical therapist for Northeast Georgia Medical Center, I learned that even after a year of physical therapy, the patient still usually doesn't have the full level of functioning they had before the injury, and they possibly will never get 100% better.
It is much easier to take 10-20 minutes every other day to strengthen your shoulder than to go through surgery and 6-12 months of intense physical therapy.