Rotator Cuff Release

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that hold the shoulder joint in place and help move the shoulder/arm. The 4 muscles (and their tendons) that make up the rotator cuff are:

• the supraspinatus,
• the infraspinatus,
• the subscapularis, and
• the teres minor.

What is a rotator cuff injury?

The shoulder is a shallow ball and socket joint, held together only by muscles, tendons and ligaments.  It is very easily injured. A rotator cuff injury is a strain or tear of the muscles and tendons that stabilise your shoulder. Injury often involves a tear to the tendons (the thick band of tissue that connect the muscle to the bone), but it can also tear in the muscle as well. The most common site of a tear is in the supraspinatus tendon, located at the top of the shoulder, indicated in the diagram above.

Severe injuries can cause several of the tendons and muscles to tear. This type of severe injury usually requires a surgical repair, followed by massage therapy and physiotherapy treatments.

Symptoms of a rotator cuff injury

Symptoms include pain and tenderness in the shoulder, pain on elevating the arm, weakness of the shoulder, and pain when sleeping/leaning on the affected side. Special movement tests preformed by your massage therapist will help to determine which of the muscles or tendons has been torn.

Treatment for rotator cuff injuries

The treatments for this type of injury includes the following; resting the shoulder, application of ice, anti-inflammatory medicines, massage therapy and special exercises (including stretching and strengthening).