Any lifter that has started to push their limits for lifts like bench press or shoulder overhead press has the potential to get that ache in the shoulder. The pinch, or stretch, or irritation of the shoulder from lifting is a high risk when lifting. The rotator cuff is far too easily injured. Fortunately there is much that can be done to build up a strength and resiliency of that tissue.
Our goal with this series is to help those with shoulder injuries, what can be done for it, what are best options of treatment and how to best get you back to lifting and throwing. As an athlete ourselves we know the importance of having full function of the shoulder. We have many strength athletes in Utah with competitions year round.
What is Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy?
The shoulder anatomy for the rotator cuff includes the structure of the scapula, the clavicle(collarbone) and the humerus (arm bone). When discussing the Rotator Cuff(RC) there are four muscles that are generally being discussed. The Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Teres Minor and Subscapularis. Three muscles are primarily helping with External Rotation, while one, the subscapularis, is directly affecting the internal rotation of the shoulder. The Rotator cuff muscles begin on the shoulder blade and cross the glenohumeral joint and attach on the humerus, because of location and direction of pull when contracted they are in control of stabilizing the GH joint along with creating motion.
What does it feel like to have a Rotator Cuff Injury?
What are some of the common causes of Rotator Cuff Injury?
Most common causes of Rotator cuff include: overuse patterns like throwing, swimming, tennis, overhead lifting, and certain manual labor jobs. After that we have poor movement quality brought on by postures, muscular imbalances. If a sudden increase in load to a certain muscle happens we can begin the effects of injury that leads to the muscle being inflammed.
It may differ from person to person, however there are a few symptoms. Pain with overhead positions or reaching movements. The symptoms can vary drastically from person to person, however many different arm movement activities can cause symptoms if you have RC tendinopathy. Activities of home chores, cleaning, lifting and putting items away, or even getting dressed or activities or putting on your seatbelt. Activities in the gym can be limited because of this as well. Think of most of the upper body day exercises, the lifting of plates to put on machines, the shoulder warm up exercises, and potentially most of your loaded shoulder exercises would be out of the question.
As we continue discussing the Rotator Cuff injuries we will discuss more about what a tendinopathy is, what the risks are of it, how we treat it and what at home training modifications are going to be applicable.
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Chiromovement are actual geniuses I trust them to help figure out anything I could have going on and they’re always spot on. Extremely knowledgeable and willing to teach you how to take care of issues so that you won’t need to comeback.
Dr. Bird is amazing! I was referred to him by a co-worker after injuring my shoulder while benching. He is always very cheerful and willing to listen to my concerns. I’ve been to other chiropractors and always felt like their treatments or diagnostic tests were not related to my problem and just expensive. Dr. Bird always asks me before doing any additional tests and really focuses on functional treatment including range of motion massage therapy. Highly recommended!!