Chartered Physiotherapists

Specialists in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy

Rotator Cuff Injuries

The rotator cuff musculature is made up of four separate muscles (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis and teres minor) which attach into the shoulder joint and serve to rotate the shoulder internally and externally and to stabilise the joint during dynamic functional movements. Occasionally during activities which require heavy lifting or repetitive overhead movements the rotator cuff muscle or tendon can become overloaded resulting in injury.

There are a number of factors which can predispose an individual to rotator cuff injury, these can include:

  1. A muscle imbalance between the deltoid and rotator cuff muscle strength or between internal and external rotator cuff muscles.
  2. Poor scapulohumeral rhythm due to joint stiffness (A-C jt, Sterno-clavicular and Scapulothoracic jts) and/or weakness in the scapular stabiliser muscles can lead to dysfunctional shoulder movement increasing pressure on the rotator cuff muscle.

At Portobello physiotherapy our Chartered Physiotherapists are very experienced in the treatment of shoulder related pathologies. We will carry out a thorough assessment of your shoulder pain in order to arrive at an accurate diagnoses and address not just the symptoms but the causes of your shoulder pain. Treatment techniques used may involve any of the following interventions in isolation or combination: progressive strengthening and mobility exercises, myofascial release techniques, deep tissue massage, joint mobilisation, laser, heat therapy, dry needling and acupuncture.

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