Rotator Cuff Tear

Rotator cuff tears and massage.

What are the the rotator cuff muscles?

The Rotator Cuff (RC) is a common name for the group of 4 distinct muscles and their tendons, which provide strength and stability during motion to the shoulder complex. They are also referred to as the SITS muscle, with reference to the first letter of their names.

S: Supraspinatus

I: Infraspinatus

T:Teres minor

S: Subscapularis

The muscles arise from the scapula and connect to the head of the humerus, forming a cuff around the glenohumeral (GH) joint also know known as the shoulder joint.

The RC muscles are each used in a variety of upper extremity movements including flexion, abduction, internal rotation and external rotation. They are essential players in almost every type of shoulder movement. Balanced strength and flexibility in each of the four muscles are vital to maintain functioning of the entire shoulder girdle.  

As a group, the rotator cuff muscles are responsible for stabilizing the shoulder joint, by providing the "fine tuning" movements of the head of the humerus within the glenoid fossa. They are deeper muscles and are very active in the neuromuscular control of the shoulder complex during upper extremity movements. 

They keep the head of the humerus within the small glenoid fossa of the scapula in order to enlarge the range of motion in the GH joint and avoid mechanical obstruction (i.e. a possible biomechanical impingement during elevation).

It is well documented that RC dysfunctions can lead to shoulder pain, impaired functional capacities and a reduced quality of life.

There are various injustices that can occur at the rotator cuff muscles but in this article we will be focusing on rotator cuff tears.

Rotator cuff tear?

Rotator cuff tear is a tear in the tissues connecting muscles to bone(tendons) around the shoulder joint.

A rotator cuff tear often occur in people who repeatedly perform the same shoulder motions.

It’s a very common condition and requires medical diagnosis, the good news is that it’s a medium term condition that can get resolved within months.

Signs of rotator cuff tear include:

1.   Difficulty and pain caused by raiding your arm.

2.   Popping or clicking sounds or sensation when moving arm.

3.   Shoulder pain that worsens at night when resting your arm

4.   Shoulder weakness and struggling to lift items.

Therapies include:

 stretching, which can improve flexibility and improve physical function.

Physical therapy restores muscle strength and function through exercise .

Massage therapy:

Massage therapy is a great option for rotator cuff injuries because it helps to decrease inflammation and pain in the area, release scar tissue, loosen tight and tense muscles and increase range of motion in the shoulder girdle. No matter what the cause of the stiffness or soreness in your shoulder, shoulder massage is an effective way of increasing your range of motion and restoring your body muscle function back to normal.

At serendipity massage we offer kinds of massage to help your body function properly and help you live a better life.

Book a session today.

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