Should I Exercise My Rotator Cuff If It Hurts?

The process needs to be slow and progressive. “There’s the potential for a small tear to become a larger tear,” notes Kinsey. “ Don’t push through the pain with the idea that it’s adding strength You may do more harm than good.”

Should I workout if my rotator cuff hurts?

If you have a rotator cuff injury, get ready to let those weights rest a bit at the gym. You should avoid lifting weights above your head or out from the sides of your body These movements can cause more stress and even further injury to the area.

How do I get my rotator cuff to stop hurting?

Treatments include: Over-the-counter medicine. Anti-inflammatory pain relievers like aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen can help ease your shoulder ache. Rest. You’ll need to stop any physical activity that causes or adds to your shoulder pain. Ice. A cold pack can help reduce swelling and pain… Heat… Stretching.

Should you rest or exercise a rotator cuff injury?

The response to ice is variable since the rotator cuff tendons are located deep within the shoulder. Rest — Rest means avoiding activities that aggravate symptoms, including overhead activities that elicit symptoms Avoiding painful activities in general will alleviate strain on the injured area.

Can you heal a torn rotator cuff with exercise?

For many people, physical therapy (PT) is the answer. It may be all you need to treat an injured rotator cuff PT is a way to get back strength and movement after an injury. It includes things like exercise, ice, heat, massage, and equipment to help return your shoulder back to its normal range of motion.

Do push ups aggravate rotator cuff?

While some people try to do pushups as quickly as possible to get them over with, this can lead to improper form, which raises your risk for a rotator cuff injury.

How can I heal my rotator cuff naturally?

3 Little-Known Ways to Help Your Rotator Cuff Heal Faster Take nutritional supplements. Some experts advocate taking nutritional supplements to help a rotator cuff tear heal… Stop smoking. If you have surgery for your rotator cuff tear, then you should stop smoking… Change your sleeping position.

How long does it take for a rotator cuff to heal?

Rotator cuff treatment The minimum time for recovery from rotator cuff tendonitis or a small tear is generally two to four weeks , and stubborn cases can take several months. Early on, the aim is to reduce swelling and inflammation of the tendons and relieve compression in the subacromial space.

What exercises should you avoid with a torn rotator cuff?

Exercises to avoid with an injured rotator cuff Deadlifts. “These heavy weights are basically pulling your arm out of your socket,” says Kinsey… Shrugs. Another example of weight pulling down on your shoulder. Squatting. Resting the bar across your shoulders and your arm positioning stresses the rotator cuff.

How do you tell if rotator cuff is torn or strained?

Signs of a rotator cuff tear include: Difficulty and pain caused by raising your arm. Popping or clicking sounds or sensations when moving your arm. Shoulder pain that worsens at night or when resting your arm. Shoulder weakness and struggling to lift items.

Is it OK to massage a torn rotator cuff?

Massage therapy is a great option for rotator cuff injuries because it helps to decrease inflammation and pain in the area, release scar tissue, loosen tight and tense muscles and increase range of motion in the shoulder girdle.

What does an inflamed rotator cuff feel like?

The classic symptoms include a ‘toothache’ like pain radiating from the outer arm to several inches below the top of the shoulder Pain may also occur in the front and top of the shoulder. It may interfere with sleeping comfortably. It may even awaken people from a sound sleep with a nagging pain in the upper arm.

What happens if a rotator cuff injury goes untreated?

If left untreated, rotator cuff tendinitis can worsen and lead to a partially or completely torn tendon Surgery is rarely used to treat rotator cuff tendinitis unless the rotator cuff is severely damaged or torn.

Do bicep curls affect rotator cuff?

Bicep Curls If done incorrectly, you risk injury to your rotator cuff , as well as other shoulder and arm muscles. Poor posture both in bicep curls and other areas of our lives can lead to improper execution of this exercise.