Rotator Cuff

[Mat G]

Three clients have complained of Rotator Cuff Injuries just this past week. I have not dealt with this much but I seemed to help them relieve the pain and offer shoulder stretching and strengthening techniques to keep them in good health. I am wondering how other therapists alleviate acute and chronic shoulder pain. (Shoulder Bursitis was also an issue.)

 

[Tiara M.]

In Waslaski's Orthopedic Massage class, we are learning an entire protocol for these issues, and I recommend the work.

The approach is a whole-body approach, so issues with the pelvis, chest, back, and neck are all looked at in resolving the shoulder pain issues.

Easy tests are employed to determine if any of the 4 rotator cuff muscles are actually involved, or if the problem is actually elsewhere, such as pec minor.

The difference between muscle tension, muscle strain, and tendinitis is explicitly used to choose appropriate treatment techniques.

Everything is done pain-free! (Amazing.)

Stretches and strengthening follow from the assessment and treatment, and client self-care handouts are available for you to give to your client... this makes things really easy for everyone, you and your client both. When to stretch/strengthen and when not to is also covered.

Shoulder bursitis was treated by balancing the muscles in the shoulder so that the bursa would no longer be compressed due to incorrect posture, and decompressing the joint with traction.

 

[invitemeforcoffee.co.uk]

be specific in your treatment too. use some tests (manual muscle tests and orthopedic tests) to determine which rotator cuff muscles are affected and need the most work.

waslawski's stuff is good.

get them to strengthen their scap stabilizers because if those muscles are firing properly, the rotator cuff musculature can't work efficienlty to do its job and keep the head of the humerus centered in the glenoid fossa.

patrick

 

[Pompal 09.]

Good comments so far! Knowing what to address is key to quick resolution. From all the comments I've seen the last few months, I'm gonna have to attend a Waslaski training!

Today at the gym I had a trainer tell me he was worried about his rotator cuff, and ask for some ways to stretch it. A few minutes later we'd determined that most of his issues stemmed from pec minor and teres major, with very little rotator cuff involvement. I gave him some simple stretches to work with, and he got some relief right away from going through them.

 

[ChicoPedro]

I highly recommend taking NMT for the upper extremeties through the NMT Center of Florida. These are the techneques taught by Judith Dulany. I have had excellent results working on rotator cuff problems using what I learned in this seminar.

 

[Midnight Rider]

I appreciate the feedback. I did notice a difference with the pecs, deltoids and teres muscles. This gives a clearer picture of their shoulder issues and will look into your methods. thanks!