Rotator Cuff Strengthening Exercises

Why is Strengthening Your Rotator Cuff Important?

Many muscles are involved in shoulder movement and all work together, but strengthening the rotator cuff is especially important. The rotator cuff is the main stabiliser of the shoulder joint during movement of the shoulder.

If the ball of the upper arm is not kept centered, abnormal stress is placed on surrounding tissue and may cause gradual injury. Strengthening the rotator cuff helps prevents common rotator cuff injuries including tendonitis, rotator cuff tears, and shoulder impingement syndrome.

Age-related changes in rotator cuff tendons leave them less elastic and more susceptible to injury. There is also a gradual loss of muscle mass that occurs with aging, which can be counteracted with strengthening exercises.

Which are your Rotator Cuff Muscles?

The supraspinatus is located at the top of the shoulder and abducts the shoulder - it raises the upper arm and moves it away from the body.

The subscapularis is at the front of the shoulder - it internally rotates the shoulder.

The infraspinatus and teres minor are in the back of the shoulder - they externally rotate the shoulder.

Though each rotator cuff muscle moves the shoulder in a separate direction, though they all work together to stabilize the shoulder joint.

The long-head of biceps tendon that runs over the top of the humerus and connects at the top of the shoulder joint also helps stabilize the shoulder joint. Overloading the biceps by lifting something heavy may cause biceps tendonitis (also called shoulder tendonitis). Strengthening the biceps helps prevent injury.

Strengthening all the muscles of the rotator cuff is important but premature strengthening can delay healing and cause more pain. For specific advice regarding injury-appropriate rotator cuff strengthening, it is highly recommended that you consult the professional advice of an experienced shoulder physiotherapist.

Common Rotator Cuff Treatments

FAQs about Rotator Cuff Injuries

• What Causes You to Feel Pain?

• Physiotherapy & Exercises

• When Should Diagnostic Tests Be Performed?

• What are the Different Massage Styles and their Benefits?

• How Does Kinesiology Tape Work?

• Does Stretching Prevent Injury?

• How Much Treatment Will You Need?

• Sports Injury? What to do? When?

• What are the Common Massage Therapy Techniques?

• What are the Early Warning Signs of an Injury?

• What Causes Rotator Cuff Impingement & Bursitis?

• What is a Tendinopathy?

• What is Scapulo-humeral Rhythm?

• What is Sports Physiotherapy?

• What is the Correct Way to Stand?

• What is the Shoulder Impingement Zone?

• What is Your Rotator Cuff?

• What Pillow Do Physiotherapists Recommend?

• When Can You Return to Sport or Work?

Helpful Rotator Cuff Products Available

Rotator Cuff Injuries

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