Knowing the Rotator Cuff Symptoms

       

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The rotator cuff is an amazing part of the body. It is actually the culmination of four muscles and their corresponding tendons that start somewhere in the area of the shoulder blade and extend out to form a covering, or cuff, over the shoulder. Not only does the rotator cuff help the arm to move in particular directions, but it also provides a covering for the shoulder socket and protects it from injury. Sometimes, however, the rotator cuff has problems, and knowing the rotator cuff symptoms when these problems occur can help you to know when to seek the advice of a professional.

Rotator cuff problems are usually brought about by one of two ways. Either the problem is accumulated over time, such as through the repetitive use of the rotator cuff (such as heavy lifting over the head) and the symptoms grow eventually. At first the rotator cuff symptoms are easily treated with over-the-counter pain medications, however over time the pain generally becomes more and more acute and eventually people tend to look to doctors for stronger pain medication. The problems with the rotator cuff can also occur because of a fall or because of some blunt force trauma to the shoulder area. The rotator cuff symptoms that happen in this instance are usually sudden and acute. They may be accompanied by a popping sound, sharp pain, and a sudden weakness in the affected arm.

Most times when a doctor's advice is sought and they would want to treat the rotator cuff problem either with physical therapy, immobilization of the affected arm, or surgery, or perhaps they combination of the three. After some time you may regain partial or full use of the arm again.

Overcome a painful rotator cuff injury and get rid of shoulder pain for life. Download our Special Report at http://www.rotator-cuff-help.info/

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Rotator Cuff Treatment for Fast Recovery

       

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The rotator cuff is made up of a series of tendons and 4 muscles that originate in the shoulder blade area and continue on as a group to form a cuff over the shoulder area. This is a common problem area for many people, especially as the reach middle age or older. It is not uncommon for a rotator cuff tear to occur, either through repetitive stress, such as listing things over the head over and over at work for many years or through injury such as in a fall. When the rotator cuff problems are due to repetitive stress the symptoms seem to develop over time, causing pain that is at first easily controlled through drug store pain medications but over time requires stronger pain pills and at times therapy or even surgery. Rotator cuff injuries caused by injury are usually felt suddenly as pain and a weakness in the arm, however it is not always a rotator cuff tear as it happens sometimes the area is just bruised.

When a person has a rotator cuff problem they should seek the advice of a medical professional to see what the problem really is and what the underlying causes are, whether they are from a tear or from bruising. They will be able to make the determination of what kind of rotator cuff treatment is necessary, either therapy or surgery, or perhaps a combination of both. At times they may treat the rotator cuff by immobilizing it and allowing it to heal, and at other times they may treat it with therapy, mimicking the movements of the rotator cuff with progressive resistance to build strength.

Overcome a painful rotator cuff injury and get rid of shoulder pain for life. Download our Special Report at http://www.rotator-cuff-help.info/

Rotator Cuff Exercises - an Online Special Report, Now Available to Download

Exercises Rotator Cuff - Make Your Rotator Cuff Stronger

       

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Strengthening your body is a progressive thing, where you will need to gradually build up strength so that you do not cause injury from overexertion. This is true of all muscle groups of the body, and to have true strength you must exercise them all from the main muscle groups, such as the legs, core and chest muscles even down to the stabilizer muscles. Still other times people want to strengthen a part of their body, either to ward off problems that are bound to happen or to help expedite the recovery from an injury. One area where many people are interested in strengthening is exercises rotator cuff area.

The rotator cuff is actually made up of 4 separate muscles that originate in the area of the shoulder blade and then continue to form a cuff, or covering over the shoulder socket. The rotator cuff also includes some connecting tendons. Most rotator cuff injuries are caused by repetitive movements at work that tear the rotator cuff over a period of time, while others are caused by trauma to the shoulder area, through a fall or another injury. Many times these types of injuries need attention through physical therapy, and perhaps even surgery.

Exercises for the rotator cuff include those that mimic the movement that the rotator cuff governs. The shoulder socket is an amazing part of the body, allowing a wide range of movement of the arm, but the muscles that make up the rotator cuff are those that regulate the activity of the arm, such as lifting and swinging.

Overcome a painful rotator cuff injury and get rid of shoulder pain for life. Download our Special Report at http://www.rotator-cuff-help.info/

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Rotator Cuff Therapy - What to Expect

       

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The human body is an amazing thing, and the interlocking structure of muscles and tendons just makes it all the much more amazing to me. The rotator cuff is a fine example of that, it being comprised of four separate muscles that originate in the area of the shoulder blade and then combine, with their corresponding tendons to form a covering, or a cuff for the shoulder socket. This serves several purposes. One of the things that it does is to protect the shoulder, to a reasonable degree, from injury and the other is to give our arm and shoulder area the ability to move in some unique directions. Sometimes, however the rotator cuff gives us some problems and rotator cuff therapy becomes necessary.

Rotator cuff problems are generally caused by repetitive stresses at work, such as lifting heavy boxes over your head for many years. At first the pain may be manageable by pain killers, but at other times you may need to seek out stronger pain medication or perhaps even go in for rotator cuff therapy or surgery. The other problem with the rotator cuff is caused by a sudden trauma to the area, sometimes through a fall. When this happens the rotator cuff is instantly damaged and is usually accompanied by sensations such as a popping sound, and a sudden weakness in the arm.

When you go in for rotator cuff therapy you can expect a progressive program of exercises according to your level of healing. They will have you do specific movements that mimic the motion of the rotator cuff, either with or without weights, and will progressively add weight to strengthen the rotator cuff area. The therapist may also give you exercises to work on at home to help expedite your recovery.

Overcome a painful rotator cuff injury and get rid of shoulder pain for life. Download our Special Report at http://www.rotator-cuff-help.info/

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Rotator Cuff Exercises - Prevent Injuries Before they Happen

       

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Many people who engage in various sports activities do not do any rotator cuff exercises or any other warm up exercises. Of course, the warm up has to be done before you start your main workout or any kind of sports games (golf, football, tennis etc.).

The reasons for not doing any warn up are usually laziness or ignorance, but the out can very well be severe.

Take Golfers for example. Many people believe that Golf is a game for people who are too lazy to do any other, more intensive sports. That may be so, but will you be surprised to learn that thousands of golfers each year suffer form rotator cuff injuries, and seek medical help accordingly?

These folks could have treated themselves better, and would have saved themselves a world of pain, and medical bills. Same story applies for people who do other sorts of sports, work out in the gum, swim in the pool etc.

Please don't get me wrong. I'm all for sports - it still has more advantages than dis advantages. And I do work out in the gum 3 times a week. The thing is - you need to acquire a few useful habits that will help you avid these kind of problems.

So, how could you make the best of your workout, and still have the best chance of avoiding rotator-cuff problems.

Well there are a few ways:

1. You need to warm up. Even 2 minutes of warm up before hitting the golf course, to the swimming pool will go a long way to help you stay on the safe side. There is a great verity of rotator cuff exercises aimed at loosening the area and making it lees vulnerable to stress and pain.

2. Stay fit and strengthen your muscles and tendons. The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and their tendons that are responsible for the connection of the upper arm and the shoulder blade. Indeed, a very important group. Take good care of them by regularly doing exercises to strengthen the area. This will help you cope with all the strain and effort that area observes while doing an activity like swimming or golfing. Thus, reduce the chances of injury.

3. Consult your doctor. Especially if you had problems before, Consult your doctor regularly. This just might save you from and potential problems.

4. Listen to your body. If your rotator cuff is in pain, don't push it. Take a rest, and see a doctor. Most problems are easy to fix if you attend them at the beginning and don't wait till it gets worse.

The best way to deal with a problem is to avid creating it. Regular rotator cuff exercises will help you to build strength and endurance to the area, and will lessen the risk of getting hurt along the way.

Dave Green gives much more info about rotator cuff exercises and how to overcome pain and stiffness in the shoulders. Come on and follow along as I reveal more useful information on the matter.

Torn Rotator Cuff Symptoms

       

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Rotator cuff tears are a very common type of injury and the adult population, that occur especially after the year 40 or so. Although at times rotator cuff tears are caused by a fall or some other trauma to the shoulder area, more often they are caused by repetitive stress syndrome, an injury over time that occurs by doing things like repetitive lifting of heavy objects over the head. The rotator cuff is made up of four muscles and their corresponding tendons, that began in the area of the shoulder blade and continue up over the shoulder forming a covering or cuff.

Torn rotator cuff symptoms can vary from person to person, however for the most part in the case of those that suffer from a torn rotator cuff due to repetitive stress syndrome the symptoms are gradual and can develop over a long period of time. Typically at the beginning the pain is easily managed using aspirin or some other over-the-counter pain medication, after some time, however, it generally becomes necessary to seek medical advice because the pain becomes unmanageable. In the case of a fall or some other sudden trauma to the shoulder area the pain is generally set and acute, and can't be accompanied by a snapping noise and sudden weakness in the arm.

A person with a torn rotator cuff may have several options in order to get better. These options could include resting the arm for a long period of time, at mobilizing the arm by the use of a sling, shoulder surgery, or perhaps some therapeutic exercises that are done either at home or in the presence of a qualified therapist.

Overcome a painful rotator cuff injury and get rid of shoulder pain for life. Download our Special Report at http://www.rotator-cuff-help.info/

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Shoulder Injuries Rotator Cuff

       

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There aren't many people that have shoulder injuries to their rotator cuff. It's not uncommon for many people to even have rotator cuff tears that occur as a result of either some form of repetitive stress, such as heavy lifting over their head to work, or as a result of a fall or some form of trauma to the shoulder area. The rotator cuff is actually made up of a group of four muscles and their corresponding tendons that began in the area of the shoulder blade and continue on to cover the shoulder area, both protecting the shoulder and the shoulder socket from injury as well as allowing the shoulder to swing in an outward motion and in an upward motion. The symptoms of the rotator cuff tear generally occur over time. At first they are easily taken care of with some form of over-the-counter pain medications, but eventually they may get strong enough that a person will seek medical advice. In the case of a fall or a sudden trauma to the shoulder area the pain will be sudden and acute, along with a weakness in the arm and a possible snapping sensation.

Some of the possible shoulder injury rotator cuff treatments include immobilizing the arm with the use of a sling, minimizing the use of the affected area, rehabilitation exercises either at home or by using a professional therapist, and perhaps even surgery. Although it is generally not possible to avoid such things as falls or trauma to the area, it is possible to avoid injury due to repetitive injury such as lifting over the head at work. If you are already suffering from a rotator cuff shoulder injury that it is best to seek advice, as well as some possible exercises that you can do from a professional.

Overcome a painful rotator cuff injury and get rid of shoulder pain for life. Download our Special Report at http://www.rotator-cuff-help.info/

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Rotator Cuff Surgery Rehab

       

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Rotator cuff injuries are very common, generally more common than most people realize especially before they develop problem themselves. Injuries to the rotator cuff can happen gradually, over time, as in the case of some kind of repetitive stress syndrome. They can also happen suddenly, as in the case of a fall or some kind of sudden trauma that happens to the shoulder area. The rotator cuff is actually a group of four different muscles and their corresponding tendons that make up the area from about the shoulder blade through the area of the shoulder its self. It helps moving the arm especially in the manner of lifting the arm to the side, and also surrounds and protects the shoulder joint from injury. Sometimes this area gets injured, and the terror occurs, and surgery is necessary. If you have been unfortunate enough to have rotator cuff surgery, then here is what you can expect when you go in for rotator cuff surgery rehab.

When you first start your rotator cuff surgery rehab there will more than likely begin slow on you, and slowly build over time as you become stronger. They will use light weights and have you doing exercises that will utilize the rotator cuff muscles, such as holding your arm at a 90° angle with your elbow by your side and swinging the weight off to the side and back forward again. As your rehab progresses you will probably be given exercises to do at home as well in order to expedite your recovery.

Overcome a painful rotator cuff injury and get rid of shoulder pain for life. Download our Special Report at http://www.rotator-cuff-help.info/

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Rotator Cuff Tendonitis and A Shoulder Tendon Rupture

       

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Sometimes patients who have been suffering from long term shoulder pain will develop a sudden worsening of this long term pain and have to revisit the doctor. Oftentimes this visit will involve an MRI in order to discover the nature of this resurgent pain.

It is not uncommon when someone has had years of shoulder pain to find a rupture of their biceps tendon, as is often the case in scenarios like the one above. This causes great distress amongst patients and typically represents accumulation of years of inflammation in the rotator cuff area.

Anatomically speaking, the biceps tendon longhead of the biceps tendon inserts deeply into the shoulder joint and attaches fairly close to where the primary inflammation of rotator cuff tendonitis. Frequently, when the rotator cuff is inflamed, the patient will have a cycle of inflammation, pain, and there is some collateral damage unfortunately when the longhead of the biceps tendon is surrounded by this inflammation and swelling.

The surprising aspect of this tendon rupture is that it does not particularly impair the patient’s functionality of their arm. The superior aspect of the bicep where it attaches to the upper arm has actually two attaches. The longhead of the biceps tendon accounts for anchoring the smaller portion of the muscle. Additionally, when this part of the muscle has been exposed to so much inflammation, it will become weaker over time, but may not necessarily impair their shoulder's daily functionality.

In this case, the patient may have this loss of the tendon, but the other superior attachment of the biceps tendon will basically be able to give them adequate strength and function. So, if someone’s bicep tendon does rupture, it typically means they have a fairly severe rotator cuff problem. What it does not mean is that it is absolutely necessary that they get surgery. Sometimes patients shoulders' will get better with physical therapy, a comparatively easier solution. This is why all people should have a trial attempt at physical therapy even if they go to their doctor at their initial assessment with a ruptured biceps tendon. Certainly some of these people will end up with rotator cuff reconstruction, however, the patient should know that most of the time; the biceps tendon is not reattached because it frankly doesn’t need to be.

Michael Carroll, MD is a board certified family physician with a special interest in sports medicine. He is the founding partner of Creekside Clinic, LLC, a progressive primary care center in Traverse City, Michigan and a member of both the American College of Sports Medicine, and the American Academy of Family Physicians.

He also holds an interest in conditions that affect the shoulder joint, such as rotator cuff tendonitis. He is also the author of Shoulder Pain Talk, a blog dedicated to educating the thousands of Americans who face shoulder pain on a daily basis.

The Rotator Cuff Tear Symptoms

       

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The shoulder really is an amazing part of the body. It is the part of the body with the widest range of movement. For example, try swinging your leg in a circle from straight up to straight down. The muscles that are in the area of the shoulder are collectively known as the rotator cuff, although they are actually four separate muscles and a series of tendons that form one muscle over the shoulder area. They are responsible for the lifting and rotating motions of the arm as well as protecting the shoulder from injury. Most rotator cuff tears are a result of repetitive stress that is generally from lifting objects over your head repetitively for many years, such as stocking shelves at a warehouse. It could be also that you have been injured recently, such as falling on, or breaking your shoulder. This could also cause a rotator cuff tear. If you suspect that you have this injury then here are the rotator cuff tear symptoms to see how your symptoms match up.

Generally, in the case of repetitive stress rotator cuff injuries the pain will come on over a long period of time. At first it is little more than something that can be treated with aspirin, but eventually the pain will become enough that it warrants being checked out. If the tear is from an injury, such as falling, the pain will generally be acute and immediate. Some other rotator cuff tear symptoms are weakening in the arms, an inability to lift the arm over your head or pain when the arm is lifted over the head, muscle atrophy and pain when you sleep while laying on that side of your body.

Overcome a painful rotator cuff injury and get rid of shoulder pain for life. Download our Special Report at http://www.rotator-cuff-help.info/

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The Exercises for Rotator Cuff Injury

       

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The rotator cuff is made up of 4 separate muscles and a series of tendons that are found in the shoulder area, originating with the wing bone and forming one tendon group. Their primary purpose is to help with the lifting and rotating of the arm as well as protecting the arm socket at the shoulder. Injury to the rotator cuff is either sudden, as is the case in a shoulder break or injury, or it can come on over a period of time, such as happens when a person has a repetitive stress injury. This type of injury will show signs of pain for some time, but can be treated at first with over the counter medications. It is common in older adults, over the age of 45 that use repetitive motion at work, especially lifting heavy objects over their head. Eventually it may get bad enough that the person will seek medical attention in order to help get their shoulder and arm movement back to where it should be.

When a person gets checked for a rotator cuff injury the doctor will many times immobilize the arm in order to allow the rotator cuff to heal. Then they will institute a series of exercises for rotator cuff injury that the person may do with a physical therapist, or perhaps they may be able to do them at home. The exercises will generally consist with lifting light weights in a twisting or lifting motion while in various positions. The muscles of the rotator cuff can be targeted in this fashion in order to help to strengthen and heal the muscles, and to get the person back or close to their original strength and abilities quickly.

Overcome a painful rotator cuff injury and get rid of shoulder pain for life. Download our Special Report at http://www.rotator-cuff-help.info/

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The Exercises for a Rotator Cuff Tear

       

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Rotator cuff tears are common in the adult population, particularly in those above about the year 40. The problem can be caused by an injury to the shoulder or it can happen gradually through repetitive motion, such as is the case in those that work lifting heavy things over their heads on a regular basis. Pain may come on suddenly, as in the case of an injury or it may develop over time from repetitive movements and stress. While the causes and development of the rotator cuff tear vary from person to person it is an unpleasant and painful experience and usually requires some kind of exercise in order to rehabilitate the individual with the problem. But what exercises for a rotator cuff tear are you likely to need to do?

The rotator cuff is made up of 4 different muscles and corresponding tendons in the shoulder. It's primary functions are to help with the lifting process and movements over the head, as well as to regulate the twisting movement of the arm and protect the shoulder socket. When an injury occurs and medical treatment is necessary the doctor will likely immobilize the arm for a period of time in order to help the rotator cuff to heal and then will institute some form of therapy to help regain the full, or close to full use of the rotator cuff. These exercises will include such things as lifting of light weights using a twisting motion of the arm in various positions in order to help regain strength in the rotator cuff.

Overcome a painful rotator cuff injury and get rid of shoulder pain for life. Download our Special Report at http://www.rotator-cuff-help.info/

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Rotator Cuff Strengthening Exercise That Works

       

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The shoulder area is actually an amazing part of the body. It has more of a range of motion than any other part of your body and is protected by a group of four muscles and a related group of tendons. The muscles start in the area of your shoulder blade, or scapula, and form into one mass that covers over the area of the shoulder. These muscles are the ones that are responsible for the twisting motion of your arm and shoulder as well as giving you the strength to life objects over your head. That is why when someone has a rotator cuff injury it generally is painful to make these types of movements. If you have an injury and are trying to rehabilitate it, or if you just want to do a rotator cuff strengthening exercise to keep in shape and try to help prevent any history then here are some suggestions.

The rotator cuff strengthening exercises that are done in order to build up the strength of a healthy rotator cuff, or in weightlifting exercises is much the same as those that are given for the rehabilitation of someone with a rotator cuff injury. They are meant to mimic the action and movements of the rotator cuff in going through a natural range of motion. For example, of the more common rotator cuff strengthening exercises is where you would hold out your arm at a 90 degree angle with the elbow close to your body. You would hold a weight in your hand. Then swing your arm out to the side, keeping your upper arm and elbow in place and then swing it back in. This used the rotator cuff muscles and helps to strengthen them.

Overcome a painful rotator cuff injury and get rid of shoulder pain for life. Download our Special Report at http://www.rotator-cuff-help.info/

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Rotator Cuff Rehabilitation Exercises

       

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Rotator cuff injuries are actually more common than many people think. The muscles that make up the rotator cuff are actually four separate muscles and a series of tendons that start in the area of the shoulder blade and cover over the shoulder area. They are the muscle group that takes care of lifting over your head, the rotation of the arm and shoulder and also for protecting the area of the shoulder socket from injury.

While most people think of a tear as being something that happens suddenly it is very common for a rotator cuff tear to happen over the course of time, sometimes over the course of many years. This is generally when someone is involved in some kind of repetitive motion at work where they are doing something like lifting heavy boxes over their heads all day. The tear can also happen suddenly, as in the case of a severe shoulder injury from something like a fall. In this case the pain is generally sudden and extreme from the start. Here is what you can expect to be doing in the way of rotator cuff rehabilitation exercises to heal your shoulder injury.

Most doctors will want your arm immobilized for a period of time when you are first diagnosed with the rotator cuff injury. This is to give the muscles and tendons some time to heal before you begin with the rotator cuff rehabilitation exercises. You will then be given a series of exercises to do, either with a physical therapist or in your own home (sometimes both) that will use light weights and will use the motions of the arm and shoulder that the rotator cuff is responsible for. This will be things such as twisting of the arm from the front to the side, and light lifting upward and eventually overhead.

Overcome a painful rotator cuff injury and get rid of shoulder pain for life. Download our Special Report at http://www.rotator-cuff-help.info/

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Rotator Cuff Tendonitis Exercises

       

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The shoulder is one of the parts of the body with the widest range of motion. It is used often at work and at play, especially in the play of someone involved in athletics. It is common to have some injury to the rotator cuff when it is exposed to the types of repetitive stresses such as swimming, playing baseball or tennis, any activity where there is a swinging of the arm from the shoulder or lifting above the head can cause the injuries. If you suffer from tendinitis in the rotator cuff you will no doubt be given some rotator cuff tendinitis exercise in order to be able to heal and strengthen from your injury as quickly as possible.

Rotator cuff tendinitis exercise are much the same as the types of exercises that are given to someone that is suffering from a rotator cuff tear. The rotator cuff is actually a group of 4 muscles in the shoulder area and some connecting tendons. They are responsible for the lifting motions as well as the twisting of the arm and protecting the should socket from injury. When these muscles are damaged or hurt through a tear or tendinitis then the exercises would mimic the motions that the rotator cuff would regulate, such as twisting and lifting. For example, one of the basic exercises is standing with a weight in one arm and it out in front of you and bent at a 90 degree angle. You would then swing the weight out to your side and back while maintaining the 90 degree angle. The other exercises are similar, and are generally done in the presence of a physical therapist or can be given to you to do at home.

Overcome a painful rotator cuff injury and get rid of shoulder pain for life. Download our Special Report at http://www.rotator-cuff-help.info/

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Rotator Cuff Exercise

       

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The pain, discomfort and restricted motion caused by injury to shoulder muscles and tendons have always been well known problems to athletes. In recent times, as more people take up sport and exercise for its health benefits, ordinary people who are not professional sportsmen or sportswomen can find that wear and tear on their shoulder has given them a rotator cuff injury.

Those who participate in swimming, baseball pitching and football are particularly prone to this injury, but anyone who uses vigorous arm movement in any sport or activity can get it. Repeated overhead arm motion is often the root cause of rotator cuff injury – it is the long term and repetitive nature of the motion, rather than one particular jerk or twist of the shoulder which is often the problem.

After the injury has been diagnosed, rotator cuff exercise is often recommended to rehabilitate and strengthen the shoulder, and so avoid future injury or rotator cuff tears. This type of exercise should only be done after the pain and swelling have passed, following a period of rest.

Rotator cuff exercise programs are more complex than many exercise regimes, because of the number and inter-relationship of the muscles and tendons which hold the humerus to the shoulder blade, and allow the upper arm to perform its full range of motions. Rotator cuff exercise usually incorporates many different individual exercises designed to strengthen particular muscles one at a time.

These exercises include holding and raising a light dumbbell, while the elbow is supported; lying on the side and raising a dumbbell toward the ceiling; and (while standing) raising a dumbbell towards the horizontal, holding it with the thumb pointing down.

It is often a physical therapist who will demonstrate these exercises, and make sure you are doing them properly, but with the availability of good medical information on the Internet, it is now possible to get rotator cuff exercise guidance from various specialist web sites. Often these sites are created by physical therapists themselves, who have experience in the treatment of all types of rotator cuff injury. This type of injury might include impingement, shoulder weakness, rotator cuff tendonitis, rotator cuff tears, and bursitis.

Many people who take up rotator cuff exercise want to know how long they have to persist with an exercise program before they will see some positive results and improvement in their shoulder strength and mobility. Most therapists agree that three to six weeks is needed before recovery is achieved, though some people may need even longer.

If you do decide to follow an online program of rotator cuff exercises, bear in mind that they are mostly designed to be done at home, and you will need access to basic equipment like light dumbbells and a stability bar or bench.

Now read more - to see our collection of specialist rotator cuff exercise resources, check the rotator cuff exercise page at eastcairn.com.

Barbara Eastcairn writes about all the health issues which really matter.

New Treatments - Shoulder Pain and Rotator Cuff Tendonitis

       

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Given that 90 + percent of shoulder pain is due to rotator cuff tendinitis, it is worthwhile to consider those therapies that focus on rotator cuff tendinitis in order to combat shoulder pain itself. This idea has become even more justified following the results of a recent study presented at The American College of Sports Medicine. This study saw impressive results when patients used a nighttime brace to treat rotator cuff injuries and tendinitis.

The study at The American College of Sports Medicine took patients who were suffering from shoulder pain from rotator cuff injuries and tendinitis and treated them all with traditional care methods that included hands on inflammatory medications and physical therapy. However, half of the patients then received an additional treatment of a nighttime brace that they wore for one month. The study was blinded. The results of the study were remarkable, as those who used the brace saw a 100% improvement in their shoulder situation when compared to patients who did not use the shoulder brace.

During the study, it was found that the patients did not need to wear the brace for more than three weeks before results were realized. Compared to those who used the brace, only 50% of those members of the study who were not given the nighttime brace became better over a similar one month period. This small but powerful study did reach statistical significance. The results of this study lend many to believe that this brace represents a new and exciting therapy to deal with this incredibly common problem of rotator cuff tendinitis.

Michael Carroll, MD is a board certified family physician with a special interest in sports medicine. He is the founding partner of Creekside Clinic, LLC, a progressive primary care center in Traverse City, Michigan and a member of both the American College of Sports Medicine, and the American Academy of Family Physicians.

He also holds special interest in shoulder pain and rotator cuff injuries specifically with regard to cutting-edge treatments and is the author of a Shoulder Pain Talk

Rotator Cuff - The Cycle of Injury

       

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There is a frequent pattern of injury amongst those who suffer from rotator cuff inflammation. The shoulder goes through a cycle of injury, which is followed by healing, which gives the patient a certain period of pain-free time only to re-injure it. As this cycle continues, very quickly, the pain-free periods of time come to be less and less, and there are more movements that cause pain. This all contributes to the lessening threshold for re-injuring of the rotator cuff.

This cycle is perpetuated because the rotator cuff is continually injured as it is impinged under the coracoacromial arch. The rotator cuff has a very sensitive area on its superior muscle called the supraspinatus. The rotator cuff is made up of four different muscles. 90% of the injuries originate at the supraspinatus muscle. As a person goes through years of this cycling, the rotator cuff becomes scarred; becomes less flexible; it becomes more easily torn; it becomes less subtle. In affect, this rotator cuff prematurely ages and in this cycle of injury, inflammation, healing, scar tissue, the rotator cuff at some point becomes torn.

The key to treatment is to break that cycle of repeated injury to allow the rotator cuff to restore some of its flexibility to reduce some of its scar tissue. Constant re-injury needs to be avoided at all cost. It delays the healing process and contributes to scare tissue and overall decreases the range of motion.

If you have a shoulder injury, it is critical to heal it quickly and completely.

Michael Carroll, MD is a board certified family physician with a special interest in sports medicine. He is the founding partner of Creekside Clinic, LLC, a progressive primary care center in Traverse City, Michigan and a member of both the American College of Sports Medicine, and the American Academy of Family Physicians.

He also holds special interest in shoulder pain and rotator cuff injuries, specifically with regard to cutting-edge treatments and is the author of a Shoulder Pain Talk

Shoulder Tendonitis Surgery - Rotator Cuff Tendonitis

       

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First let's find out what shoulder tendonitis or rotator cuff tendonitis is? There are several other names that this can be called. Some are known as tennis shoulder, pitcher's shoulder and even a shoulder impingement. These are all common names for a very similar problem.

So what is it? Shoulder tendonitis or rotator cuff tendonitis is the inflammation and can be an irritation and swelling of the tendons of the shoulder. The shoulder joint is a ball and socket type joint. The top part of the arm bone (humerus) forms a joint with the shoulder blade (scapula). The rotator cuff holds the head of the humerus into the scapula.

What is the most common cause of rotator cuff tendonitis?

A lot of the time the problem occurs with sports. Inflammation of the tendons of the shoulder muscles occur in sports using the arm being moved over the head repeatedly. Such sports are tennis, baseball (pitching mainly) swimming and even lifting weights over the head. What happens sometimes is you get the inflammation or injury and can cause the tendons of the rotator cuff to tear. Sometimes this occurs in people over 40 years of age.

Some of the symptoms

Pain when the arm is moved Arm is weak when rising over your head Pain in shoulder at night, especially when lying on the affected shoulder. Pain in arm when performing overhead activities

How to find out if you have shoulder tendonitis

X-ray’s or MRI. X-ray’s can show a burn spur. The MRI can show the inflammation in the rotator cuff. There could also be a tear in the rotator cuff and the MRI will show this.

Shoulder Tendonitis Surgery

Before shoulder tendonitis surgery, you should try physical therapy to strengthen the muscles of the rotator cuff. If the pain is too great to start physical therapy a steroid injection (cortisone) may reduce pain and inflammation enough to start effective therapy.

If there is a tear in the rotator cuff or therapy has not helped and symptoms persist, shoulder surgery may be necessary. For most shoulder surgery, this can be accomplished with arthroscopic surgery. This type of surgery is effective in removing the bone spur and inflamed tissue around the shoulder.

You can also treat small tears with shoulder tendonitis surgery and arthroscopic surgery. There are even some new techniques that allow even large tears to be repaired with arthroscopic surgery. Now there are some large tears that are going to require open surgery to repair the torn tendon.

Shoulder Tendonitis Surgery Expectations

Once the shoulder tendonitis surgery is completed and the bone spur or tear has been repaired arthroscopic ally, you can expect the use of the shoulder to pre-injury levels. The activities that you performed prior to the injury should be able to perform them once again.

There are a couple of factors in determining the success of the shoulder tendonitis surgery. People with tears of their rotator cuff that have had the shoulder tendonitis surgery (arthroscopic) will do well. It will depend upon the size and the duration of the tear. The age of the patient will also have a bearing on the outcome and what the pre-injury level of function was.

So there are some things that you can do and the success of the shoulder tendonitis surgery should have a successful outcome in most cases. In another article I will discuss the rehabilitation of shoulder tendonitis surgery. Other Tendonitis topics visits: Shoulder Tendonitis Surgery

Have had many articles published on a variety of subjects. Co author of the best selling golf ebook called "Putt Lights Out". You can find this ebook at http://www.puttlightsout.com. For more information on tendonitis topics visit http://www.tendonitistypes.com

Rotator Cuff Tendonitis: A Shoulder Injury For All of Us

       

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When you hear rotator cuff injury, what comes to mind?

For most people, the first thing they think of is your local team's pitcher, who was just placed on the disabled list. Most recently, Orlando Hernandez and Jarid Wright are two of the big names on their respective team’s disabled list because of a rotator cuff injury.

However, shoulder injuries are not issues restricted to baseball players even though they are particularly susceptible to it given the throwing motion and how that impacts the upper part of the shoulder. Essentially, baseball pitchers and players have something called impingement syndrome which eventually leads to rotator cuff tendonitis. Impingement syndrome is commonly referred to as the weekend warrior syndrome.

For those who are not professional baseball players, this syndrome can be exasperated by playing basketball, by serving a tennis ball, by throwing a football, etc. While it is routine to feel somewhat sore after increased activity, particularly as one ages, it is not routine to experience pain in less intense shoulder motions. If routine movements such as turning off the alarm clock or reaching on the top shelf become painful, you need medical attention as it is a symptom of rotator cuff tendonitis. Most of the time rotator cuff tendonitis can be healed and managed with physical therapy and full activity can be restored. Occasionally, steroid injections are needed and more rarely than that , surgery is recommended.

The critical aspect is to treat this problem early, before there is major scarring or rotator cuff tears. Keep in mind that 90% of all rotator cuff tears are the original result of chronic inflammation. It is essentially something that starts small and gets progressively more difficult. If the shoulder is hurting, medical attention should be sought more quickly rather than less.

Michael Carroll, MD is a board certified family physician with a special interest in sports medicine. He is the founding partner of Creekside Clinic, LLC, a progressive primary care center in Traverse City, Michigan and a member of both the American College of Sports Medicine, and the American Academy of Family Physicians. He also holds special interest in shoulder pain and rotator cuff injuries, specifically with regard to cutting-edge treatments

How To Cope With Rotator Cuff Tendonitis

       

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Rotator cuff tendinitis is inflammation of the tendons of the rotator cuff. It can be caused by overuse, repeated impingement and shoulder joint instability where the muscles and tendons of the rotator cuff are called upon to stabilize the shoulder joint over and above the call of duty due to loose or weak ligaments.

People who regularly participate in certain sports are more at risk of such injuries than others. Swimmers, pitchers (or others who engage in sports involving a lot of throwing) and weight trainers/bodybuilders are particularly at risk.

Whatever the cause of rotator cuff tendinitis it can be a very unpleasant and restrictive injury giving pain with various everyday arm or shoulder movements (particularly overhead movements) and even while sleeping if you happen to sleep on the injured side. It causes weakness in the affected shoulder and can take a long time to heal and at worst it may become chronic.

There are a number of treatments available from physiotherapy to anti-inflammatory medications and cortisone injections and in very extreme cases surgery.

As with most soft tissue injuries there is no “magic pill” to fix the injury and while there are a number of things that can help, unless the injury is extreme the best thing you can do is give your body every possible chance to utilize its amazing capacity to heal itself. You can do this in a number of ways including, applying cold/warmth to reduce pain and speed healing, avoiding certain movements and activities until the injury is healed, exercising to strengthen the muscles and gentle stretching to keep the muscles flexible and the joint mobile.

At the first sign of rotator cuff tendinitis, especially where the culprit is likely to be overuse or repetitive strain, the most important thing to do is stop doing the activity you suspect to be causing the problem. Now this may seem like common sense but often athletes will try to “train through” pain or “train around” an injury by just going lighter on the weights or trying to train body-parts around the affected area.

If you suspect tendinitis from overuse continuing to train regardless will just cause further aggravation and intensify the injury and further prolong healing. This is the last thing you want to do because the low blood supply of tendons mean they already take a long time to heal. Where a “strained” muscle can heal in a few days tendon injuries typically take 4 to 6 weeks to heal and often even longer depending on how long the injury has existed. (However, I have found that using a specific combination of little known techniques has, in my own experiences, brought relief usually within two weeks.)

So the first and most important thing to do is stop whatever is causing the problem. Applying ice packs can help numb the pain and may also help speed healing but be careful in the way you apply the ice so as not to cause “ice burn”. Physiotherapy can also help speed up recovery as can gentle exercise and stretching (not in the acute phase of an injury) and also applying heat to the injured area. If you regularly sleep on your side you may want to try sleeping on your back or at least avoid sleeping on the injured side.

Everybody is different so it is important to listen to what your own body is telling you and adjust your actions accordingly. As a general rule: if a movement hurts (especially if it causes sharp pain) - don’t do it. Also remember that, as with all overuse injuries, by the time you start feeling the pain the problem has already existed for some time so the sooner you take remedial action to manage and treat the injury the better.

Sean Jacey is a former personal fitness trainer who developed his own powerfully effective method of healing rotator cuff injuries after his physiotherapist told him she was unable to help him further with his chronic shoulder injury. Sean runs RotatorCuffRemedy.com where others can find out how to heal rotator cuff tendonitis

Rating a Surgery versus a Rotator-Cuff Tear Physical Therapy

       

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You may have experienced having gone through a physical examination, x-rays and all, then a diagnosis of a rotator-cuff tear. Now what started as an arm and shoulder pain ends with a doctor’s suggestion of an immediate surgery. But hold your fire; an effective rotator-cuff tear physical therapy may just save you from having to go through any surgery. You can even have it your way, that is, through an educated and therapist- assisted home care.

The tear of a rotator-cuff tendon on the shoulder is the most common tendon tear in the human body. It is usually the result of chronic impingement due to tendon abrasion between the shoulder cap and the shoulder joint ball. This is similar to kneeling until the knee-part of your pants fray and your knees finally tears through. Tears of this kind occur with little or no trauma. Yet in the case of patients over 40-years old, rotator-cuff tear and shoulder-dislocation may occur despite normal tendon strength. In the younger patients, however, rotator-cuff tear occurs due to acute tendon overload from strenuous throwing sports. This may also result from incorrect weightlifting practice.

Having a rotator-cuff tear cured takes a realistic expectation which is important in planning to return to normal daily activities whether sports or work. Often jobs must be modified for many months, especially when tears are large enough to prevent return to activities that may provoke re-tear of the cuff. The rotator-cuff rotates the shoulder, helps to stabilize the shoulder, and acts to depress or hold the shoulder down. With these rotator functions, it is thus best to get the best less risky and damaging treatment.

Rotator-cuff tear physical therapy centers on strengthening of the intact rotator cuff tendons and deltoid, and restoring the functional use of the upper extremity of the shoulder. The rotator-cuff tear physical therapy reduces the painful symptoms in part or in total.

Anti-inflammatory medications used together with the rotator-cuff tear physical therapy may help to ease the symptoms; but if these are not effective, then diagnostic tests and surgery may be the next step.

You may be diagnosed for surgery and you might as well take it. But before you go you must know that the most frequent complication of a rotator-cuff tear surgery is the incomplete resolution of pain, if not, the inadequate restoration of full active motion and strength. On the other hand, infection is seen in less than 0.5% of patients, and neurological or anesthetic complications are exceedingly rare. Overall, resolution of pain and improvement in functional capabilities occurs in over 85% of patients.

Nonetheless, you would still need an after arthroscopy surgical aftercare. Rotator-cuff tear physical therapy is of utmost importance in the first 2-months after surgery. Shoulder motion should be regained rapidly through passive exercises only, helping to minimize pain and stiffness while protecting the repair. Eventually though, slowly active motion and strengthening shall be regained, through an educated and therapist- assisted home care.

Milos Pesic is a successful webmaster and owner of popular and comprehensive Physical Therapy information site. For more articles and resources on Physical Therapy related topics, Physical Therapy exercises and much more visit his site at:

=>http://physical-therapy.need-to-know.net/

Rotator Cuff Injuries

       

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The term "rotator cuff" defines the group of muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder. These muscles and tendons essentially "cuff" around the head of the humerus, otherwise known as the long bone of the arm, holding it to the scapula, otherwise known as the shoulder blade. Responsible for much of the shoulder's stability, the rotator cuff is made up of four muscles, the supraspinatus, the infraspinatus, the teres minor, and the subscapularis. A rotator cuff injury happens when one of these four muscles is damaged. This can occur suddenly, or it can develop gradually over time. The injuries can also be minor, with no permanent damage, or be severe enough to require surgery.

What are the Causes
Rotator cuff injuries can be caused by a variety of things. First of all, chronic tears, or tears that progress over time, are often found in jobs that require excessive rotator cuff use. These can include painters, construction workers, and baseball players. On the other end of the spectrum are acute tears. These are tears that occur suddenly and usually involve a large amount of force. These tears can happen when lifting an extremely heavy object, or falling on a shoulder. Rotator cuffs can also tear because tendonitis.

But, Rotator cuff injuries aren't always the result of an occupation, an accident, or a condition. They can also be caused by advanced age. Rotator cuff injuries from old age often occur when the tendons comprising the cuff are rubbed up against a bone. In a normal rotator cuff there is a small sac of fluid (the subacromial bursa) that cushions the tendons against the bones. When inflammation sets in, due to things like calcium deposits, this cushion becomes smaller, allowing the tendons to be squeezed and ultimately rubbed against the bones. This causes damage to the tendon, leaving the tendons, over time, stringy, weak, and more likely to tear.

Risks of Rotator Cuff Injuries
There are several risk factors that can cause rotator cuff injuries. To begin, people who are born with irregularly shaped bones can have a rotator cuff that moves abnormally, causing quicker degeneration of the tendons. A person's age is also a risk factor. People who are older are more likely to have normal wear and tear of the rotator cuff, as well as decreased blood supply to the tendons and thinning of the tendons. Age aside, people who engage in repetitive activities that involve force on the shoulder are more likely to be subject to a rotator cuff injury. Additionally, joint looseness and an imbalance of the muscles can also play a large role in how easily a rotator cuff will tear.

The risk of a rotator cuff injury can also be increased with any kind of lifestyle that impedes a person's health. Smoking, for instance, decreases blood flow and blood supply, slowing the healing process of any injuries that have been sustained.

Symptoms of Rotator Cuff Injuries
The most common symptom of a rotator cuff injury is pain, but stiffness and an overall weakness of the shoulder are also typically present. A person with an unknown tear may find activities such as parting their hair, brushing their teeth, or getting a can of soup out of the pantry difficult or impossible. The pain is usually localized to the front and side of the shoulder, as well as the upper arm.

While the pain may be stable, and involve different degrees, it will almost always increase when the arm is raised overhead. Rotator cuff injuries that are minor are usually classified by pain only when active, particularly when raising the arms. Minor injuries are usually not painful when a person is at rest. Those with moderate damage will have pain during activity and directly after activity. There may also be pain at night and an interruption of sleep. For those with severe damage, continuous pain will be present.

Prevention of Rotator Cuff Injuries
While not all injuries can be prevented, there are a few things that can be done to decrease their risk. For instance, keeping the muscles strong and flexible through exercise will provide the rotator cuff with more resistance to damage. Abstaining from activities that require excessive and repetitive use of the rotator cuff, such as throwing a baseball, can also help reduce the risk. Along these lines, using good judgment, and not catching or lifting objects that are too heavy can help keep the rotator cuff from tearing. Finally, taking frequent breaks when overhead use of the arms is required, such as when painting a house, and giving these muscles an adequate amount of rest in between movements can help prevent injuries.

Treatment of Rotator Cuff
In the invent that a rotator cuff does tear there are a variety of treatment options. These options all aspire to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and reclaim strength, function, and flexibility. While all maintaining a common goal, these treatment options can vary depending on the age, activity level, and occupation of the injured.

While severe rotator cuff injuries may be repaired surgically, many can be helped in non-surgical manners. These treatments may include resting the shoulder in a sling, gently moving it from time to time to avoid stiffness; using a heating pad, a bag of ice, or pain medications; avoiding activities and positions that seem to aggravate the pain; and strengthening the surrounding shoulder muscles.

Physical therapy is also a form of treatment sought by many with rotator cuff injuries. Through physical therapy, a person is taught exercises and stretches that strengthen the muscle, gradually restoring function. Many of these exercises can even be performed at home. Physical therapy also provides the injured with information on muscle function, support, and tips for prevention.

About Us: The Center for Osteopathic Medicine in Boulder, Colorado believes in The Osteopathic Difference. In a medical industry focused on treating symptoms, The Center is more focused on finding the cause of these symptoms. The Osteopathic Difference is the application of "Hands on Therapeutics" for both the diagnosis and treatment of complaints, disorders, and pain. The Osteopathic Difference will apply the time proven osteopathic fact that function is directly related to structure, and poor structure will lead to poor function.

While The Center tries to focus on health, and above all else, prevention for all those who cross into its threshold, sometimes the best that can be done is to recognize the source of the “DIS-EASE," and to teach every individual how to manage their symptoms. Believing that it is the most important aspect of any treatment regime, and that it is the primary job of the health care practitioner, The Center works to empower the patient in the maintenance of their own health.

Achieving health is also an elusive place, and The Center will work tirelessly to create a path to health which, when embraced by the patient over time, will allow the patient to enjoy a positive return on their rehabilitation investment. The Center teaches a Mindfulness Yoga Program that aims to educate the patient in the power of the mind to minimize, if not rid the body of, aches and pain. Although the ultimate goal of health is to live without the use of drugs, natural or otherwise, The Center for Osteopathic Medicine recognizes the importance of medicinals and their appropriate use. All styles of "Hands on Manipulation" are practiced at The Center. By combining these Manipulative techniques with Structural Integration, massage, meditation and Western Medicine, The Center for Osteopathic Medicine helps people to identify disease before it manifests, quiet pains that have been previously diagnosed as Chronic, and embrace a holistic mindset to Live in the Present- and within that presence, live completely well.

The information discussed in this article is for informational and educational purposes only. If you are experiencing symptoms of a health problem, please visit your doctor. The material discussed on this website is not meant to replace the opinion or diagnosis of a medical professional.

Jennifer Jordan is a senior editor for http://www.centerforosteopathicmedicine.com. Specializing in articles related to health and wellness, the material she writes is intended to arm people with the resources they need to live a life of wellness and completeness.

Squaring the Golf Club at Impact, the Rotator Cuff, and Golf Fitness

       

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We all know the clubface must be square at impact and the club releases thereafter. Generally speaking a large amount of golf swing mechanics center upon returning the clubface to square at impact. Additionally, the golf swing is a “total body” movement incorporating every joint in the body. In order for the clubface to be square at impact all of these joints must work in coordination to allow this to occur.

In relation to the body, specific muscles are very active in returning the clubface to square. One joint directly involved in the squaring of the clubface at impact with the golf ball is the shoulder joint. The shoulder joint is a “ball and socket” joint allowing for the arms to move through a large range of motion. Review of the biomechanics of the golf swing, it becomes very evident the arms move through a large range of motion.

That being said, there are specific muscles involved in the rotation of the arms. Again, these are not the only muscles involved in squaring the clubface, but from an anatomical perspective, these muscles are active in the internal and external rotation of the arms during the golf swing.

Going back to squaring the clubface, internal and external rotation of the arms is required. To get a sense of internal and external rotation, simply stand up with your arms hanging at your sides. Rotate your hands inward and outward. This is a simple description of internal and external rotation of the arms. Now if you relate this movement to the golf swing you can see how the arms internally and externally rotate during the backswing, downswing, and follow through.

Certain muscles within the shoulder complex have a direct effect on internal rotation, external rotation, and stabilization of the shoulder complex in the golf swing. The muscles we are talking about are the rotator cuff muscles. Yes, the rotator cuff.

Not necessarily a group of muscles that go “hand-in-hand” with the golf swing and probably more thought of when we talk about baseball and pitching. Nevertheless, these muscles are an active in the golf swing. The rotator cuff is a reference to four muscles in the shoulder complex. For those of you that love the science behind this stuff, the four muscles that comprise the rotator cuff are; supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis.

The rotator cuff has a couple primary functions when it comes to the shoulder complex. First off, they act to stabilize the shoulder capsule. The skeletal structure comprising the shoulder is a ball and socket joint. The “socket” part of this joint is very shallow. As a result the muscles of the rotator cuff in addition to muscles in the “back-side” of the shoulder assist in stabilizing the shoulder during movement. An over simplification would state these muscles assist in keeping the arm in the socket. If the rotator cuff muscles did not assist in stabilizing the shoulder, the arm would literally come out of the socket every time you swing a golf club.

Secondly, these four muscles are actively involved in elevating, internally, and externally rotating the arms. All of which are movements involved in the golf swing. Beginning in the take-away and completing with the follow through, the muscles of the rotator cuff are active in every phase of the golf swing. That being said, we know the muscles of the rotator cuff are under stress each every golf swing.

It is important to understand the muscles of the rotator cuff are very small. They are not big muscles such as your quadriceps or deltoids. They are very small muscles asked to perform a myriad of activities. As a result of the size and workloads placed upon these muscles. They can become fatigued quite easily. Once muscles become fatigued they begin to falter in performing their required activities. In addition once muscles are fatigued, they can easily become injured.

During my years on tour, I have never seen someone injure a cuff muscle from swinging a golf club. I have seen rotator cuff injuries impede a golf swing, and if you have ever injured a rotator cuff muscle you know how debilitating an injury it can be. The point being this: The rotator cuff muscles are actively involved in the golf swing. Injury to a rotator cuff muscle can be very debilitating to your golf swing or any activity for that case. Knowing what we know about the mechanics of the golf swing, the rotator cuff, functions of the rotator cuff, and how they affect the golf swing. This information invariably indicates to us it is necessary to keep the rotator cuff healthy and strong. How can one achieve this goal? Simply by adding a golf fitness program incorporating rotator cuff exercises.

Rotator cuff exercises will focus on these four muscles. These types of exercises will develop higher levels of strength and endurance within these muscles. This will assist in these muscles handling the workloads placed upon them during the golf swing or any athletic activity. So I strongly suggest if you are an avid golfer or a weekend warrior. Add some golf fitness and rotator cuff exercises to your training program. This will help keep you in the game and off the sidelines.

Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA Tour regularly with 2005 PGA & 2004 Masters Champion Phil Mickelson. To learn more about Sean and his golf fitness programs go to http://www.seancochran.com

Physical Therapist's Solution to a Rotator Cuff Tear That May Help You Avoid Surgery

       

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After a thorough physical examination, including x-rays, my Doctor diagnosed my arm and shoulder pain as a rotator cuff tear and naturally suggested immediate surgery. “The Ultimate Rotator Cuff Training Guide” by Physical Therapist Brian Schiff has so far saved me from having to go through that surgery.

After I heard the Doctor’s diagnosis and suggestion, I searched the library and the internet for non-surgical solutions. I may have found a possible answer. I started using Brian Schiff’s Training Guide and followed his very explicit directions for the stretching, range of motion moves and exercises. I am in week 2 of a 4-6 week regime and have noticed a marked improvement.

In this article I am attempting to explain how this Training Guide has worked for me and would suggest that you to try this method before considering surgery.

Brian Schiff graduated from The Ohio State University in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science degree of Physical Therapy in Allied Health Professions. Since then, he has practiced as a licensed physical therapist specializing in sports medicine.  Through the National Strength and Conditioning Association, Brian became a certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) in 1998.

By doing the exercises in “The Ultimate Rotator Cuff Training Guide”, I came to understand that it was a highly efficient system for relieving pain in the shoulder. Brian Schiff put together the guide for people with frozen shoulder, osteoarthritis, Rotator Cuff tendonitis, Rotator Cuff tears, impingement or bursitis.

Don’t be intimidated by the fancy words, Brian explains what they all mean and how to use the exercises to alleviate pain. He goes into a detailed description of each particular problem and how to best use the different exercises to your greatest advantage.

There is one disadvantage. It is recommended that the stretching and range of motion moves be done everyday. To some this may seem daunting, but it is definitely worth it to work this into your daily schedule. This is not a magic pill; it will take at least 4-6 weeks to start feeling the relief from your regular routine.

In the Ultimate Rotator Guide one of its most valued points is that Brain doesn’t just write out how to do each motion, he has pictures of him actually performing each move. This is extremely helpful in showing you the right form for each exercise. The right form is essential in making the motions work for you. So, not only does he outline how to do the moves in the eBook, he has added pictures in all aspects of each move. In the very beginning of the eBook he answers frequently asked questions that he knows from experience.

Another invaluable part of getting his eBook is that if you have any other questions you can email him. I did, and he always got back to me on the same day.

The Ultimate Rotator Guide is a truly concise map to overcoming shoulder pain. The eBook logically and easily pulls you through the process of using these exercises to eliminate pain in an attempt to avoid shoulder surgery.

Do not think this will instantly heal you, it will take practice. You must do the exercises on a consistent basis. It is critical that you follow the directions to achieve your goal of a pain free shoulder.

When I first started the program I thought that it was impossible to take this much time everyday. However, after the first week when I had practiced the moves it didn’t take nearly as much time as in the beginning. I was able to smoothly do all the moves in less than thirty minutes.

Normally there are always some weaknesses in eBooks but I couldn’t find any in the Ultimate Rotator Guide. My experience is that it is taking away most of my Rotator Cuff pain and is keeping me away from Rotator Cuff surgery. Remember, I am in week two and much has been accomplished.

Wouldn’t you use a program that would take away most, if not all of your shoulder pain? If you want to learn how to strengthen your shoulder and relieve your aching I would highly recommend “The Ultimate Rotator Training Guide”. In fact, I give it 9 out of 10. I can’t thank Brian enough for supplying this valuable information and hopefully saving me from surgery.

Visit Mary Hanna’s websites at: Web Marketing Reviews Cruise Travel and Review of the Rotator Cuff Guide

Squaring the Golf Club Face, the Rotator Cuff, and Golf Fitness Exercises

       

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We all know the clubface must be square at impact and the club releases thereafter. Generally speaking a large amount of swing mechanics are centered upon returning the clubface to square at impact. In order to square the clubface at impact a combination of separate but connect components work together.

The first of these components is your golf swing mechanics. The biomechanics of the golf swing are an intricate series of movements, in a sequential order, and executed with a specific timing. The golf swing mechanics if performed correctly allow for the clubface to return square at impact. In conjunction with golf swing mechanics the body executes these biomechanics.

In relation to the body, specific muscles are very active in returning the clubface to square. The golf swing is a “total body” activity involving the entire neuromuscular system in the execution of the golf swing. Looking at a specific part of the body and squaring of the clubface, we can see a significant connection to certain muscles. During certain phases of the golf swing we see a rotation of the clubface in the backswing, returning of the clubface to square at impact, and release of the club in the follow through. These three actions within golf swing require rotation of the arms.

The action occurring within the arms is elevation, internal, and external rotation. This allows the club to rotate, return to square, and release during the follow through. That being said, there are specific muscles involved in the rotation of the arms. Again, these are not the only muscles involved in squaring the clubface, but from an anatomical perspective, these muscles are active in the internal and external rotation of the arms. Going back to squaring the clubface, internal and external rotation of the arms is required. The muscles we are talking about are the rotator cuff muscles. Yes, the rotator cuff.

Not necessarily a group of muscles that go “hand-in-hand” with the golf swing and probably more thought of when we talk about baseball and pitching. Nevertheless, these muscles are an active in the golf swing. The rotator cuff is a reference to four muscles in the shoulder complex. For those of you who love the science behind this stuff, the four muscles that comprise the rotator cuff are; supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis.

The rotator cuff has a couple primary functions when it comes to the shoulder complex. First off, they act to stabilize the shoulder capsule. The skeletal structure comprising the shoulder is a ball and socket joint. The “socket” part of this joint is very shallow, and the rotator cuff muscles help to stabilize and essentially keep the arm from coming out of the joint. The rotator cuff provides tension during movement to keep the shoulder joint stabile. The rotator cuff creates what is called a musculotendinous joint for the shoulder, stabilizing the shoulder.

Secondly, these four muscles are actively involved in elevating, internally, and externally rotating the arms. All of which are movements involved in the golf swing. Utilize a picture of the golf swing and the actions involved in the phases of the golf swing to create the connection. During the backswing, downswing, and follow through these muscles assist in the biomechanics of the golf swing. The rotation of the arms in the backswing, squaring of the clubface at impact, and release of the club during the follow through are some basic components of the golf swing where the rotator cuff is involved in the golf swing.

The shoulder joint and rotator cuff muscles are subject to overuse and early degeneration. The repeatable action of the golf swing, and involvement of the rotator cuff in the golf swing add to this situation. These two factors; the repeatable nature of the golf swing, and subject of the rotator cuff to over use injuries point to the need of injury preventative rotator cuff exercises. Injury preventative rotator cuff exercises should be a part of a comprehensive golf fitness program. The goals of a golf fitness program are two fold; number one to prevent injury to the body from the stresses placed upon it by the golf swing. Number two is performance improvement.

Rotator cuff exercises within a golf fitness program fall into category number one. These types of golf fitness exercises develop additional strength and endurance within the rotator cuff muscles. The purpose of the added strength and endurance is to prevent overuse injuries from occurring. The added strength and endurance allow for the golfer to execute the biomechanics of the golf swing over and over again without fatigue or comprise the joint structure of the shoulder.

During my years on tour, I have never seen someone injure a cuff muscle from swinging a golf club. I have seen rotator cuff injuries impede a golf swing, and if you have ever injured your rotator cuff, you know how debilitating an injury it can be. The point being this: The rotator cuff muscles are actively involved in the golf swing. The biomechanics of the golf swing are a repeatable athletic action, stressing the muscles of the rotator cuff every swing. In order to combat a rotator cuff injury from occurring, the implementation of rotator cuff exercises in a comprehensive golf fitness program can be beneficial. These types of golf fitness exercises are injury preventative.

Assisting to develop high levels of strength and endurance in the muscles of the rotator cuff. Preventing breakdown from over use. Injury to rotator cuff can be very debilitating to your golf swing or any activity for that case. And I suggest regardless if you are avid golfer or a weekend warrior. Implementing a series of rotator cuff exercises to them healthy is a good idea.

Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA Tour regularly with 2004 Masters, 2005 PGA, and 2006 Masters Champion Phil Mickelson. To learn more about Sean and his golf fitness programs go to http://www.seancochran.com

Shoulder Pain: Rotator Cuff Injuries

       

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The rotator cuff muscles hold the head of the long bone of your upper arm tightly in the socket of your shoulder. Sports that require moving the arm over the head repeatedly can cause tearing and swelling of the tendons of these muscles. Baseball pitchers, swimmers, weight lifters and tennis players often suffer this injury. Chronic irritation can cause pain, swelling and tearing of the rotator cuff. If you continue to exercise in spite of the pain, you will tear the tendons from their attachments.

Initially, pain occurs only when you hold your arm over your head and bring it down or forward forcibly. Later, it will hurt when the arm is moved forward for any reason, such as to shake hands. Usually, it hurts when you push things away and does not hurt when you pull objects toward you. A torn rotator cuff will cause tenderness over the tendons, especially when the elbow is raised above the shoulder. It will hurt when you pull your arm across your chest, and you will have difficulty raising your elbow over your shoulder. An arthrogram is often not sensitive enough to diagnose a partial tear of the rotator cuff but can show a complete tear.

The treatment is to avoid any motion that hurts and strengthen the uninjured shoulder muscles. Do weight-lifting exercises that bring the weights toward the body and do not hurt, such as upright rows and downward "lat pulls". You may need surgery if the rotator cuff tendons are torn completely, or if the tendons do not heal within one year.

Dr. Gabe Mirkin has been a radio talk show host for 25 years and practicing physician for more than 40 years; he is board certified in four specialties, including sports medicine. Read or listen to hundreds of his fitness and health reports at http://www.DrMirkin.com

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For other common injuries see my articles on * Elbow Pain: "Tennis Elbow" * A Pain in the Butt: Piriformis Syndrome * Heel Pain: Plantar Fasciitis * Ankle Pain: Achilles Tendinitis * Shin Splints * Stress Fractures

Rotator Cuff

       

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Getting Rid of Shoulder Pain!
Learn how to: Relieve Rotator Cuff Pain and frozen shoulder. Increase the mobility of your shoulder joint…simply by changing your pillow!

"Ouch! I think I slept on my bad side again…" Don't you hate waking up or going to work with a searing pain in your shoulder?

If you sleep on your side, you're probably putting your shoulder through tremendous strain and pressure. For those who sleep with an arm under their head, it can get worse, as your arm works non-stop to support the weight of your head and to align your neck with the upper back.

There is a high risk of rotator cuff tears in people over 40 and those who engage in repetitive 'overhead' activities - which involve hours of work with your arm raised over your head, such as writing on a blackboard. Many vigorous sports such as baseball, weight lifting and swimming can lead to rotator cuff injuries.

An existing shoulder injury can become worse with the wrong sleeping posture, where the injured side is not allowed to get sufficient rest to recover and regain its normal range of motion.

Understanding Shoulder Pain: Rotator Cuff Injuries and Frozen Shoulder

The most prominent sign of a rotator cuff injury is the limited range of motion of the shoulder joint. Certain movements such as reaching overhead, trying to put on a jacket or reaching your back pocket can become excruciatingly painful.

The shoulder joint has the widest range of motion, as compared to any other joint in the human body. That makes it possible for us to perform a multitude of tasks, making it particularly vulnerable to injury.

A complex system of muscles, tendons and ligaments is needed to support and stabilize the shoulder joint. Tears in the supporting muscles or tendons are common, and if the pain is ignored it can lead to chronic rotator cuff injuries and persistent pain.

A minor injury that begins with inflammation and swelling can become progressively worse, with the buildup of scar tissue- which is less flexible and much weaker than the original tendon tissue.

If your shoulder joint hurts, one of the first things you should do is to give it a complete rest, especially when you sleep. Many people who sleep on the side tend to roll over to the injured side, putting the shoulder joint under repeated stress.

What's worse, is that the shoulder is practically 'trapped' under the head and locked in the same position for hours. This inhibits the supply of oxygen-rich blood to the affected joint and leads to painful muscle cramps. No wonder it feels worse every morning!

Finally- you can do something about your rotator cuff pain, enjoy better sleep and wake up refreshed. All it takes is a scientific contoured pillow that is designed to free up your shoulder and arm, in the side-sleeper position.

A scientific contour pillow that has proved itself in extensive test surveys is the "Better Sleep Pillow", designed by leading neurosurgeon Dr. Burke.

The "Better Sleep Pillow" is made of visco-elastic Memory Foam, which provides added stability and support for side sleepers. The Memory Foam will mould itself to your side contours, leading to instant comfort and fewer position changes through the night.

The special channels on the underside of the pillow allow your arm to slide in and out easily, without disturbing your head or neck position. Even with your arm positioned under your head, you will feel no pressure at all, as your head and neck are perfectly supported by the Better Sleep Pillow.

If you suffer from shoulder pain, frozen shoulder or have a history of painful rotator cuff injury, you can ease the pain, prevent further damage and enhance your natural healing process by switching to the "Better Sleep Pillow".

http://www.bettersleeppillow.com

7 Tips to Immediately Reduce Rotator Cuff Pain

       

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1. Support the affected arm during activities of daily living. This includes driving, typing at the computer, sitting in a chair and relaxing in your lazy boy at home. Gravity pulls the arm down when it is unsupported, and this increases strain on the rotator cuff. It is best to use a soft pillow or cushion when available.

2. Use ice along the top of the shoulder daily. I always suggest a frozen bag of veggies or soft wrap that conforms to the shape of the shoulder. Be sure to support the arm as mentioned previously while icing. Keep the ice on for 15-20 minutes and then off for an hour. You may ice more than once per day if desired based on pain. I usually suggest icing before bed to improve sleep.

3. Avoid raising the arm overhead in painful ranges of motion unless absolutely necessary. The rotator cuff gets compressed when the arm is elevated above 90 degrees and this often further aggravates the symptoms. This is problematic with getting dressed, fastening the seat belt or placing carry-on baggage in a plane. Overhead athletes will simply need to rest for a given period of time to let the inflammation subside.

4. Do not perform single arm or overhead heavy lifting during periods of inflammation. This position coupled with external loads will prolong your pain and slow the recovery process.

5. Perform arm pendulums (clockwise and counterclockwise circles) with arm hanging down in a dependent position to reduce pain and loosen the shoulder joint up. This gentle motion stimulates receptors in the shoulder joint and helps to increase joint space and reduce pain. This also a good warm-up activity prior to shoulder exercises. You can eventually add a small weight or soup can to increase the effect.

6. Use a pillow under the arm at night to better support the injured arm. I also recommend trying to sleep on the other side if possible, as lying on the sore side compresses the bursa and will typically increase pain and wake you. Another no-no is sleeping with your arms overhead or on your stomach with arm tucked above your head. This is sure to create a shoulder ache.

7. Perform a routine rotator cuff strengthening program within a pain free range of motion. Lower intensity and higher repetition exercises designed to work the rotator cuff muscles are essential to promote healing, reduce inflammation and return you to pre-injury activity levels again. You will not be able to break free of the pain cycle without this type of exercise. More importantly, effective rehab exercises will prevent future injuries and more damage to your shoulder.

Brian Schiff, PT, CSCS, is a respected author, physical therapist and fitness expert. For additional information and a proven exercise program for solving rotator cuff pain and related shoulder injuries, visit http://www.rotatorcufftraining.com

Rotator Cuff: Exercises and Strategies to Prevent Injury

       

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Have you ever experienced a dull ache or sharp pain in your shoulder or upper arm? Maybe you are unable to sleep on one side because your shoulder wakes you up at night. Perhaps, you have discomfort reaching behind your back to tuck in your shirt or grab your wallet. If so, you may be suffering from a rotator cuff injury.

Rotator cuff injuries, such as tendonitis, bursitis and tears plague several people in our population. The rotator cuff consists of four small muscles, which form a sleeve around the shoulder and allow us to raise our arm overhead effectively. These muscles, consisting of the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor and subscapularis, oppose the action of the deltoid and depress the head of the humerus (upper arm) during shoulder elevation to prevent impingement.

The most commonly injured muscle is the supraspinatus. It is responsible for initiating and aiding in elevation of the arm. If torn, the individual typically experiences persistent pain in the upper lateral arm and significant difficulty raising the arm without compensatory motion from the scapula (shrug sign). The hallmark signs of a tear are nocturnal pain, loss of strength, and inability to raise the arm overhead.

However, acute tendonitis may also present with similar signs and symptoms, as pain can inhibit motion and strength. Yet, symptoms associated with tendonitis normally respond to rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medication and therapeutic exercise.

Rotator cuff tears are most common in men age 65 and older. Tears and/or injury are typically related to degeneration, instability, bone spurs, trauma, overuse and diminished strength/flexibility related to the aging process. However, youth are also at risk for injury if they are involved in repetitive overhead sports, including swimming, volleyball, baseball, softball, tennis, gymnastics, etc.

Many people can function adequately with a torn rotator cuff provided they have a low to moderate pain level. The primary reason for performing rotator cuff surgery is to alleviate pain rather than to restore function. It is common for post surgical patients to lose some mobility/range of motion. Strength recovery is dictated by the size of tear, quality of the torn tissue at the time of surgery, time elapsed between injury and repair, and the surgeon’s ability to recreate the proper anatomical relationship.

It may take up to 18 months following surgery to completely recover, although most people return to normal activities of daily living in 3-6 months. On the contrary, tendonitis usually resolves within 4-6 weeks, depending on the management of the injury.

The key to avoiding rotator cuff injury is performing adequate conditioning prior to stressing it with vigorous activities. Many weekend warriors try to pick up the softball, baseball, football, etc. and begin throwing repetitively and forcefully without properly warming up. In addition, they are not likely to condition before the season like competitive athletes.

This often leads to excessive strain on the rotator cuff and swelling. The inevitable result is soreness, especially with overhead movement or reaching behind the back. The act of throwing is the most stressful motion on the shoulder. The rotator cuff is forced to decelerate the humerus during follow through at speeds up to 7000 degrees/second.

Without proper strength and conditioning, the shoulder easily becomes inflamed. Since the rotator cuff muscles are small, it is best to utilize lower resistance and higher repetitions to sufficiently strengthen them. Sample exercises include theraband or light dumbbell external and internal rotation exercises, which can be performed at various degrees of abduction.

Other common exercises include forward elevation to shoulder height in the plane of the scapula (scaption), press-ups, prone dumbbell horizontal abduction with external rotation, and diagonal arm patterns with bands, weights or medicine balls. In addition to cuff specific exercises, it is also important to strengthen the muscles around the shoulder blade. These exercises include wall push-ups with a plus (rounding shoulder blades), shrugs, rows and lower trapezius exercises.

Finally, it is important to note some precautions with general exercises routinely performed in health clubs. I recommend the following suggestions to prevent rotator cuff problems:

• Avoid lat pull downs and military presses behind the head, as they place the shoulder in a poor biomechanical position encouraging impingement.

• Do not lower the bar or dumbbells below parallel with incline/flat bench press for the aforementioned reason.

• Refrain from using too much weight with lateral shoulder raises. This exercise increases the load on the shoulder to 90% of the body weight, so there is no need to use heavy weight. It is best to maintain an arc of movement slightly in front of the body with lateral raises to decrease stress on the rotator cuff, while avoiding elevation above 90 degrees.

• Specific rotator cuff exercises can be incorporated into upper body workouts. Perform 2 sets of 15-25 repetitions for each exercise. These exercises should be done no more than three times per week to avoid overtraining.

Brian Schiff, PT, CSCS, is a respected author, physical therapist and fitness expert. For more information on his e-book on resolving rotator cuff pain, visit http://www.rotatorcufftraining.com. This article was originally published in Business First Columbus, Ohio in 2004.

Important Rotator Cuff Repair & Injury Information

       

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The rotator cuff are the muscles that cover the shoulder joint. They allow the arm to rotator and lift. As you become older, this joint become thinner and weaker, and can often be injured by light accidents. Younger individuals often have damage due to more extreme injuries. The tear normally occurs wear the muscle meets the tendon and since blood flow is minimal, rotator cuff repair can take take a long time.

If the rotator cuff tears fully then it is impossible for repair to happen naturally and surgery is needed. This procedure is 90% effective at "improving" the injury. This improvement is better than not having surgery since there will be no power or movement in the shoulder otherwise. The improvement may be good or lousy depending on the post-surgery activities.

If the tear is partial then surgery may not be the best option. The surgery will often leave the muscle weaker with less movement. Rotator cuff repair is often better with natural physical therapy help. An expert should be sought with knowledge of this injury.

Either way, injuries often cause uncomfortable pain when lifting the arm and at night. Lack of movement and power is common. Rotator cuffs do not repair themselves well with time. A exercise program is very much needed to help restore power, motion and blood flow to speed up the repairing process.

Remember that the most important step is physical therapy for rotator cuff repair in avoiding surgery or speeding up the healing process dramatically. Knowing the repair exercising will have a big effect on whether your shoulder repairs quickly or takes months with plenty of pain medications.

If you would like to know exactly the exercises you need for rotator cuff injury & tear repair then please visit this webpage: http://RotatorCuffHelp.com/repair

3 Ways to Avoid Rotator Cuff Injury

       

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Chances are if you are at all familiar with your rotator cuff it is because you have injured it at some stage. Unfortunately this group of four small muscles that support the shoulder joint can be quite vulnerable to injury in certain circumstances. Sudden stresses and strains that occur in some sports such baseball and martial arts can be very stressful to the rotator cuff and so can sloppy form or poor bio-mechanics while weight training. Even excessive repetition of certain movements in regular daily activity can exact their toll on the rotator cuff.

A rotator cuff injury is not pleasant and can be quite debilitating. If you?ve ever injured your rotator cuff you will have realized how much you took these muscles for granted prior to the injury. An injured rotator cuff can restrict your shoulder and arm movement (especially overhead movement) and can be very painful if you?re used to sleeping on your side. The injury can be very persistent, taking a long time to heal, and in extreme cases may even require surgery. That?s the bad news.

The good news is that there are steps you can take to minimize your chances of having to deal with this unpleasant injury. Here are three of them:

1. Keep your rotator cuff muscles healthy (i.e. strong and supple).
2. Always warm up properly before vigorous exercise.
3. Avoid or minimize activities and movements with a high risk of injury to the rotator cuff.

Let?s briefly look at them one at a time.

You can keep your rotator cuff muscles strong and supple in the same way you can any muscle group - by exercising and stretching the muscles regularly. There are a number of exercises and stretches that effectively target or isolate the muscles of the rotator cuff but an overall balanced routine should be sufficient unless you are recovering from an injury or participate in activities that are ?high risk? with regards to rotator cuff injury.

Always warming up properly before exercise is a rule we all know but it is also a rule many choose to ignore. Ignore this rule at your peril. When you warm up your body before exercise you are increasing blood flow to the muscles and preparing them for more strenuous work. You should do an overall warm up and if a particular part of the body will be worked especially vigorously then do a specific warm up for that area as well. Warming up is a vital factor in injury prevention. When the body and muscles are adequately warmed up you will not only perform better but you will reduce the risk of injury.

Avoiding or minimizing activities and movements with a high risk of injury to the rotator cuff may be easier said than done for some. Athletes in sports such as baseball need to pay special attention to the above two ways since their sport inherently places a lot of stress on the muscles of the cuff due to the amount of throwing involved. For the rest of us it is a little easier to avoid or minimize activities that place the shoulder in a vulnerable or painful position.

In every day activity try and keep your movements within the body?s natural range of motion. If an activity or movement makes your shoulder feel uncomfortable or slightly strained then don?t do it ? chances are you are putting the joint and muscles at risk.

If you follow these three tips then you should be able to avoid injuring your rotator cuff and at the same time improve your overall health and wellbeing.

Sean Jacey is a former personal fitness trainer who developed his own powerfully effective method of healing rotator cuff injuries after his physiotherapist told him she was unable to help him further with his chronic shoulder injury. Sean's website is RotatorCuffRemedy.com where you can find out how to heal your own rotator cuff injury.

Weight Training And Rotator Cuff Injury

       

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Bodybuilders and others who train with weights can be very susceptible to rotator cuff injury. This is because of the nature of the activity. Many isolation exercises and machines force the body to move in ways that are less than natural in terms of everyday movements. These kinds of movements place stresses on joints and muscles in ways they are unaccustomed to being stressed and this increases the likelihood of injury.

Chances are if you are at all familiar with your rotator cuff it is because you have injured it at some stage as it is a part of the body that usually goes unnoticed until something goes wrong. The rotator cuff comprises of four muscles and their respective tendons: the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor and subscapularis. These muscles work together to support the shoulder joint and unfortunately can be quite vulnerable to injury in certain circumstances. Poor form and poor exercise choice (with regard to biomechanics) as well as overuse can take their toll on the rotator cuff.

A rotator cuff injury is not pleasant and can be quite debilitating. If you?ve ever injured your rotator cuff you will have realized how much you took these muscles for granted prior to the injury. An injured rotator cuff can restrict your shoulder and arm movement (especially overhead movement) and can severely impact your ability to train effectively as the shoulder joint is used in every upper body exercise. It can also be very painful at night if you usually sleep on your side. The injury can take a long time to heal and may leave weaknesses that make the cuff susceptible to re-injury. Extreme cases may even require surgery.

Exercises and physical therapy are non-surgical ways of treating an existing rotator cuff injury but as with anything, prevention is better than cure.

So how can rotator cuff injury be prevented?

An awareness of your rotator cuff and its vulnerabilities, caution while training, strict form, warming up and cooling down effectively, good exercise choice and a balanced routine should all add up to provide solid insurance against injury and swift recovery in the event of an injury.

Anyone who engages in weight training regularly should already have good body awareness and be following a balanced routine. They should also be warming up and cooling down properly. These are the ?common sense? factors that are widely known by most weight trainers.

However, fewer weight trainers know which exercises can either place undue stress on the muscles of the rotator cuff or increase the danger of impingement and thus should be avoided or used with extreme care. One such exercise the upright row.

The upright row is usually done with heavy weight and places a lot of stress on the elbow joints and wrist joints as well as the shoulder. To look at it is a very unnatural seeming movement and this alone should give us caution. As far as the rotator cuff is concerned the problem is that at the top of the movement, where there is the most stress, the shoulder is in internal rotation and this greatly increases the chance of impingement which can result in degeneration of the rotator cuff, bursitis and tendonitis. If you find this movement in the slightest bit uncomfortable then you should seriously consider dropping it from your routine.

The upright row is just one example of a ?standard? exercise that places the rotator cuff at risk. There are others and if you train regularly you should find out if any of the exercises you routinely do are likely to be putting you at risk of injury.

Remember, prevention is better than cure.

Sean Jacey is a former personal fitness trainer who developed his own powerfully effective method of healing rotator cuff injuries after his physiotherapist told him she was unable to help him further with his chronic shoulder injury. Find out more at Sean's website: http://www.RotatorCuffRemedy.com