How osteopathic therapy can help you recover from a rotator cuff injury
Rotator cuff tears are common injuries that often stem from overuse of the shoulder joint. This painful condition can inhibit your ability to complete normal tasks or remain physically active. Fortunately, the benefits of osteopathic therapy at Jenna Howe & Associates Osteopathy and Concussion Recovery in Victoria BC, and Burnaby, BC can help you rehabilitate after a rotator cuff tear.
Your rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons surrounding the shoulder. It provides support and stability for the shoulder joint while allowing your shoulder a wide range of motion. When there’s an issue with your rotator cuff, movements that are usually easy to perform (such as reaching overhead) become increasingly difficult due to pain and restricted mobility.
Osteopathic therapy uses a careful, hands-on approach to help you regain strength and range of motion in your shoulder after a rotator cuff injury. Today, we want to explore rotator cuff tears in more detail, including common causes, symptoms to watch out for, and how our Victoria BC, and Burnaby, BC teams can help you manage your injury.
Exploring the Causes and Symptoms of a Rotator Cuff Tear
Repetitive Use
- Most rotator cuff tears are caused by repetitive shoulder movements that lead to damage over time.
Bone Spurs
- When bony formations occur along the bone’s edges, your tendons become irritated from rubbing and friction. Eventually, this can cause a rotator cuff tear.
Age-Related Degeneration
- The risk of tearing your rotator cuff increases with age, and wear-and-tear typically intensifies after 40.
There are a few general symptoms of a rotator cuff tear, including the following:
- Recurrent pain
- Pain when raising your arm
- Dull aches deep in the shoulder
- Restricted shoulder mobility
- Arm weakness
- Joint stiffness or tenderness
What is Osteopathic Therapy (And How Can it Address Rotator Cuff Tears)?
Osteopathic therapy is a type of hands-on treatment that seeks to address issues in the muscles, joints, and connective tissues. Our therapists use techniques like osteopathic manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, postural corrections, and more to help improve mobility, relieve pain, and enhance overall function.
One thing that makes us stand apart is our emphasis on a holistic view of care. As we create your treatment program, we’ll consider how your shoulder and rotator cuff can affect other parts of your body, such as your arm or upper back.
Here are just some of the things we might do to help you manage or resolve a torn rotator cuff:
- Reduce pain with hands-on therapy or other techniques
- Restore your range of motion through mobility exercises or manual therapy
- Guide you through targeted exercises to strengthen your rotator cuff muscles
- Provide information about protecting your rotator cuff tissue from strain, including addressing postural corrections or reducing repetitive movements
What to Expect: Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do to prepare for my first appointment?
There’s little you need to do to prepare for your appointment beyond filling out any necessary forms. Come ready to discuss your exact symptoms and any activities you perform that involve your shoulder or upper extremity.
We also recommend arriving at least 15 minutes early for your first appointment. Make sure to wear comfortable attire that allows you to perform exercises and stretches.
When will I start to feel better?
There is no set timeline for recovering from a rotator cuff tear–it depends on the extent of your injury. However, our therapists will work to alleviate your symptoms as soon as possible while we address any underlying strength or postural issues.
Let Us Help You Resolve Your Rotator Cuff
The osteopathic therapists at Jenna Howe & Associates Osteopathy and Concussion Recovery will work with you to create a personalized care plan to address your torn rotator cuff. Call us today to get started.
