Rotator Cuff Injury

What is Rotator Cuff Injury?

A rotator cuff injury is a common condition affecting the tendons and muscles that surround your shoulder joint. The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis) and their tendons. They form a "cuff" around the head of your humerus (upper arm bone), holding it firmly in the shallow socket of your shoulder blade (scapula). These muscles are crucial for lifting and rotating your arm.

Rotator cuff injuries can vary in severity and typically include:

• Tendinitis: Inflammation of the rotator cuff tendons, often due to overuse or repetitive movements.

• Shoulder Bursitis: (While a separate condition, it often accompanies or is confused with rotator cuff tendinitis, being an inflammation of the bursa, a small fluid-filled sac that reduces friction in the shoulder joint).

• Rotator Cuff Tears: These can be partial (part of the tendon is torn) or complete (the tendon fully detaches from the bone). Tears can result from an acute injury (like a fall) or from chronic degeneration and overuse.

The causes of these injuries are often a combination of factors:

• Overuse or Repetitive Movements: Common in athletes (e.g., throwers, swimmers) or in professions that involve overhead arm movements.

• Acute Trauma: Such as falling onto an outstretched arm or a sudden, heavy lift.

• Age-Related Degeneration: Tendons can weaken over time, making them more prone to tearing.

• Poor Posture or Deficient Shoulder Biomechanics: Muscle imbalances or restrictions in the upper back and neck can place extra stress on the rotator cuff.

As experienced osteopaths, we understand the complexity of the shoulder joint and how restrictions in other body areas can contribute to rotator cuff injuries.

How does it feel?

A rotator cuff injury can cause a range of symptoms, from mild discomfort to severe pain and weakness that significantly limit arm function and disrupt sleep. Common sensations and problems associated with a rotator cuff injury include:

• Shoulder Pain: A dull, aching pain deep in the shoulder, often worsening with movement or when lifting the arm. Night pain is very common, especially when lying on the affected shoulder.

• Arm Weakness: Difficulty lifting your arm overhead, reaching for objects, or performing tasks that require shoulder strength.

• Limited Range of Motion: Trouble moving your arm in certain directions, especially reaching behind your back or combing your hair. This can sometimes be confused with or coexist with shoulder stiffness or frozen shoulder.

• Clicking or Catching Sensations: Noises or feelings of catching when moving the shoulder.

• Referred Pain: Although the pain is primarily in the shoulder, it can radiate down the upper arm.

• Difficulty with Daily Tasks: Simple actions like dressing, driving, or light lifting become painful or impossible.

• Sleep Disturbances: It's often very hard to find a comfortable sleeping position, as pain intensifies when lying on the affected side.

How Can Osteopathy Help?

For those recovering from rotator cuff injuries, our Osteopathic Treatment at MallorcaOsteopaths offers a supportive and comprehensive approach to rehabilitation. We understand the complexity of the shoulder joint and the importance of restoring its full function while minimizing pain.

Our osteopathic treatment in Mallorca for rotator cuff injury focuses on:

1. Reducing Pain and Inflammation: Through gentle, non-invasive manual techniques, we work to decrease acute pain and inflammation in the rotator cuff tendons and surrounding tissues, facilitating the initial healing process.

2. Restoring Joint Mobility: We apply specific articulation and mobilization techniques to the shoulder joint itself, as well as the shoulder blade (scapula), collarbone (clavicle), and ribs. This helps release restrictions and gradually restore the full range of shoulder motion.

3. Releasing Muscle Tension: We utilize various soft tissue techniques to release tightness and spasms in the rotator cuff muscles, as well as the muscles of the neck and upper back that may be contributing to the pain or dysfunction.

4. Addressing Compensatory Patterns: When the shoulder is injured, the body often compensates by overusing other areas (like the neck or lower back). We assess and treat these compensations to prevent secondary issues, such as neck pain or chronic lower back stiffness.

5. Improving Shoulder Biomechanics: We analyse how your shoulder moves and identify any underlying imbalances or dysfunctions that may have contributed to the injury. Our goal is to optimize the mechanics of the shoulder joint to improve strength, stability, and prevent future injuries.

6. Stimulating Healing: Osteopathic techniques can enhance blood circulation and lymphatic drainage to the injured area, which is vital for delivering nutrients to damaged tissues and removing waste products, thereby accelerating the natural healing process.

7. Guidance for Rehabilitation: While our approach is hands-on, we provide personalized advice on gentle exercises, stretches, and activity modifications that can be performed at home. This forms an essential part of your recovery process, helping you safely regain strength and functionality.

Whether you're a long-term resident experiencing nagging shoulder pain or an active individual needing effective sports injury treatment to return to your passion in Mallorca, our home visit osteopathy service across the island offers highly convenient and effective solutions. We bring expert, personalized care directly to you, accelerating your recovery and helping you reclaim full use of your shoulder.