Why do you need physical therapy for a rotator cuff tear?

The rotator cuff is an important group of muscles and tendons in your body that provides the power for many of your arm motions. This group of soft tissue is located on the shoulder joint, and it’s also responsible for helping to hold the joint together. Needless to say, when one of the tissues in the rotator cuff is torn, it’s difficult to use your arm.

Treatments vary for a torn rotator cuff, but many people end up visiting a physical therapist for treatment. 

Physical therapy reduces the need for pain medication

Many people turn to pain medication when dealing with a painful injury. This can be helpful to mask the symptoms of the injury, but pain medication often comes with side effects and can even cause addiction.

Treating your pain with physical therapy helps reduce your dependency on pain medication, so you can avoid the consequences of relying on them.

Physical therapy can keep you from needing surgery

Another treatment option for a torn rotator cuff is surgery. Even with some of the minimally invasive procedures that can be used to treat a torn rotator cuff, surgery comes with a lot of risks. 

Treating your injury with physical therapy reduces the chances that you’ll need surgery for treatment, which helps you avoid risks like infection, blood loss and a long, painful recovery. 

Physical therapy helps improve your recovery from surgery

Sometimes a rotator cuff tear is too severe for physical therapy alone. In the event that surgery is necessary to repair a torn rotator cuff, physical therapy still helps. Physical therapists help rehabilitate the shoulder after the surgery and can help prevent the buildup of scar tissue. 

Visit Whatcom Physical Therapy for physical therapy for a rotator cuff tear

Is a torn rotator cuff keeping you from using your arm for everyday activities? Don’t let it hold you back any longer. Talk to a physical therapist at Whatcom Physical Therapy about what we can do for you. Contact our team today for more information about physical therapy for a rotator cuff tear or to schedule an initial appointment.