Rotator Cuff Damage

Fluid and unhampered movement, a vital aspect of human life, allows us to do things that are both natural and learned --- and is often taken for granted. Musculoskeletal problems like rotator cuff damage will truly make it difficult for one to go about daily life and accomplish necessary tasks.

There are four muscles in the human body that stabilize the shoulder and enable extensive arm movement: the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor and subscapularis muscles. These muscles are collectively known as the rotator cuff. They allow us to do specific arm and shoulder movements:

• Supraspinatus muscle: arm elevation and movement away from the body;
• Infraspinatus muscle: arm lifting and outward movement or external rotation;
• Teres minor muscle: outward movement;
• Subscapularis muscle: inward movement or internal rotation

Since the arms and shoulders have the most capacity for movement in different directions, any damage or excessive strain (especially in the rotator cuff) will severely limit that capacity. Rotator cuff damage, also known as rotator cuff tears, is a very common injury that one can experience in his or her lifetime and is broadly described as anything that disrupts the normal function of the rotator cuff.

The supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles are the most commonly affected parts of the rotator cuff due to their elevation and rotation functions. Additionally, there are four main categories when it comes to the causes of rotator cuff damage: acute injuries, chronic overuse, the gradual deterioration of muscles and tendons due to age and associated medical problems, and poor posture.

• Acute injuries are brought about by sudden movements, falls and heavy lifting.
• Chronic overuse will lead to cases of rotator cuff damage in athletes (particularly baseball, football, basketball and volleyball players; weight lifters; swimmers; and archers), as well as painters and those who hold occupations wherein excessive movement of the arms and shoulders are required.
• Old age will naturally restrict a person's ability to move freely. In terms of associated or pre-existing medical problems, tendinitis and bursitis can also trigger rotator cuff damage.
• Prolonged slouching will affect the neck and shoulders; "pinched" muscles and tendons will be the first indicator of rotator cuff damage.

For most people, pain is difficult to pinpoint and describe. However, exact descriptions are needed in order to obtain the right treatment for pain and injuries. Exactly how would you know if you have rotator cuff damage? The four types of causes manifest different symptoms. For acute injuries, sudden pain through the arm and shoulder and on to the elbow are clear signs, along with muscle spasms, tenderness of the injured area, and the difficulty of raising and rotating the arms without help. As for chronic overuse, rotator cuff damage is characterized by an increasing amount of pain felt at night, and added inability to move the affected arm outwards and upwards.

Rest, icing, compression and elevation (otherwise known as RICE) make up medical practitioners' initial response to various injuries, including rotator cuff damage. But there are instances when basic measures just don't work. Serious problems like rotator cuff damage need to be correctly diagnosed and treated by competent health practitioners with a comprehensive knowledge of the human anatomy and its healing process. Peter Reid, an osteopath with more than two decades of professional experience, provides a holistic approach and offers a wide range of natural and manual treatments to combat musculoskeletal problems (including shoulder pain).

If you are suffering from rotator cuff damage and want to get rid of the pain in a natural manner, get in touch with Peter Reid and The Crows Nest Complementary Health Centre now! Call 02 9964 9722 or send an e-mail to Reception to schedule an appointment. You can also drop by the Centre, located at Suite 208, 3 Bruce St. cnr. Pacific Highway, Crows Nest, Sydney