Feeling pain when you comb your hair? Getting a twinge in your shoulder when you reach behind your back? If you answered yes to either question, you might have a rotator cuff injury.
The rotator cuff consists of four muscles and tendons, which help stabilize the shoulder joint and allow for mobility. Damage to these muscles and the attached ligaments can be due to aging, chronic overuse or injury. It’s also estimated that more than 22% of people have rotator cuff tears. An injured rotator cuff can cause shoulder pain and decreased range of motion in the shoulder joint. These injuries can also take several forms.
Four types of rotator cuff injuries
There are many ways that people can injure their rotator cuff. Some of the most common of these include:
- Acute injury — These are injuries that don’t develop over time. Typically, they occur from a spontaneous raising of your arm against resistance, such as when you’re lifting a heavy object over your head.
- Chronic injury — This type of injury gradually develops over time. It’s more common in people who play sports with excessive overhead activity, such as tennis. Chronic injuries can also develop from repetitive overhead movements performed at work. Some occupations that are at risk of a chronic rotator cuff issue include painters and carpenters.
- Tendinitis — This issue occurs when the tendons in the rotator cuff become inflamed or worn out. It typically occurs as a result of aging or repetitive shoulder movements. Rotator cuff tendinitis can take a minimum of two to four weeks to heal.
- Glenohumeral subluxation — This is an issue that occurs when the shoulder joint is loose and unstable. Glenohumeral subluxation causes the rotator cuff to have to work harder and can lead to rotator cuff injury, discomfort or weakness.
Whatcom Physical Therapy offers treatment for rotator cuff injuries
It takes time to heal from a rotator cuff injury, so be patient. Our physical therapists at Whatcom Physical Therapy can be your partner during your recovery process. We can start off your recovery by performing a free screening. This can help reveal what type of rotator cuff issue you’re dealing with. Our team also excels at building personalized therapy plans for shoulder injuries.
Think you need a doctor’s referral to use our therapy services? Our team doesn’t actually require one from you before you begin working with us. Additionally, we’re currently offering virtual care physical therapy that can help you get treatment from home.
Ready to start getting our help with your shoulder injury? Contact our team today for more information about how we can help or to schedule an initial appointment.
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