Make A Strong Rotator Cuff Recovery with Physical Therapy
Make A Strong Rotator Cuff Recovery with Physical Therapy
Shoulder pain can have a dramatic impact on your day-to-day life, making it hard to perform even simple tasks, such as reaching into a cabinet or fastening your seatbelt. Often, that pain comes courtesy of a rotator cuff injury, and finding relief means understanding your different options–which is something Excel Physical Therapy can help with.
The First Step: Determining the Cause of Your Shoulder Pain
A torn rotator cuff isn’t the only reason you might be experiencing discomfort. Arthritis, bursitis, frozen shoulder: all could be potential culprits, and each has its own unique treatment methods.
That’s why a detailed evaluation with our PTs is so important. Our team can assess several factors, including shoulder strength and mobility, pain patterns, and overall shoulder motion, to determine what’s contributing to your symptoms.
In many cases, this physical examination provides enough information to begin your treatment. However, there may be situations where imaging will provide a more complete picture. If we think it is necessary, we can provide you with a referral so you can get that step taken care of as quickly and easily as possible.
All of this information helps determine your exact diagnosis. And once we have that, it’ll be time to consider your treatment options.
However, you won’t have to do it alone! Our team is here to help you make the best decision for your needs.
Surgery Versus Conservative Care: What You Need to Know
If you have a rotator cuff injury, surgery isn’t a given. Many times, conservative care like physical therapy will be the ideal choice to rehabilitate your injury and get you back to day-to-day life. We design your treatment around your specific injury and recovery goals by combining several different treatment techniques, including:
- Manual therapy to reduce pain and help improve joint mobility
- Stretching to restore shoulder range of motion
- Strengthening exercises to build strength and control in the muscles in and around the shoulder joint and shoulder blades
- Functional movements to restore normal use of the shoulder
We progress you through your care plan based on how you respond to treatment. As your pain decreases and your strength improves, we’ll gradually increase the intensity of prescribed exercises to fully rebuild endurance, coordination, and function.
What if I Do Need Surgery?
Conservative care is generally appropriate for partial rotator cuff tears, tendon irritation, or age-related changes. However, there are still several situations where surgery might be the better option:
- The rotator cuff tissue is fully ruptured
- The injury resulted from significant trauma
- You continue to struggle with pain, weakness, and loss of function after several months of conservative treatment
- Your activity level or work demands require surgical repair
If our team thinks you’ll benefit from surgery, we’ll explain your options and help you coordinate your care with an orthopedic surgeon. However, our role doesn’t end there! Physical therapy plays an essential role both before and after surgery.
Before Your Procedure
We’ll create a custom plan designed to manage pain, improve shoulder range of motion, and strengthen the muscles that support the shoulder blade and rotator cuff. Better strength and mobility before surgery often make everyday activities easier and can contribute to a smoother recovery afterward.
After Your Procedure
Guided rehabilitation is one of the best ways to ensure good surgical outcomes. Our approach follows a carefully guided progression that protects the healing tissue while gradually introducing gentle movement.
As your healing continues, we’ll slowly build the intensity of your exercises as we focus on rebuilding strength, improving shoulder stability, and restoring coordination for reaching, lifting, and overhead activities. Ultimately, we want to help you safely return to work, sports, or other important activities.
Get Answers and Start Moving Forward
If shoulder pain is limiting your daily activities, you don’t have to figure out the next step on your own. The experienced team at Excel Physical Therapy provides detailed evaluations to determine what’s causing your symptoms, whether additional testing is appropriate, and whether surgery or conservative care is your best path forward.
No matter which option you choose, we’re here to help you regain full function of your shoulder. Contact us today to schedule your evaluation and take the first step toward lasting shoulder health.
Find Relief Now – Schedule Your Free Consultation!
Ready for personalized care?
Come back to Excel Physical Therapy and book your session today!
Kids Heading Back to School? Prevent Backpack Back Pain
Between laptops, tablets, and textbooks, heavy backpacks are a reality for students heading back to school this fall. When backpacks are worn incorrectly or overloaded, they can contribute to back pain—especially discomfort in the upper back and shoulders.
The good news? A few simple adjustments can help your child stay comfortable, improve posture, and start the school year feeling their best.
A Healthier Backpack Starts With Smart Habits
Proper backpack fit, lighter loads, and good posture habits can reduce unnecessary strain on your child’s growing spine and help prevent aches throughout the school year.
Find the Right Fit
Choose a backpack that fits your child properly. It should sit comfortably against their back and rest near the hips rather than hanging heavily from the shoulders.
Keep It Lightweight
A backpack should not exceed 10% of your child’s body weight. Use a scale to check that books, devices, and supplies are not creating unnecessary strain.
Encourage Good Posture
Teach your child to stand tall by lifting their chest upward and keeping their spine aligned for healthier posture throughout the day.
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Exercise of the Month
SHOULDER INTERNAL ROTATION STRETCH
Start by standing up straight holding a towel behind your back with one end over your shoulder and the other by your lower back. Grab the bottom end of the towel with your hand on the side you want to stretch and gently pull up on the towel with your other hand. Hold for 30 seconds.
2 Sets, 1 Rep. (Materials needed: towel)
Real Results. Real Relief.
“I have never experienced better therapy than here. Teresa has changed my life. I will recommend Excel to everyone and will be back should I need future care.”
Excel Team!
Summer Fun Time!
Kayla and her family at a wedding on the 4th of July
Jana and her family at Packer Family Night
Enjoy This Healthy Recipe!
Tomato, Mozzarella & Basil Bruschetta
- 1 (32-oz) can whole tomatoes, drained
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- 4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 6 cloves garlic, peeled
- Kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper
- 2 large French baguettes, sliced 1-inch thick (about 36 slices)
- 1 1/2 lbs fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced 1/4-inch thick
Bring a fresh taste to the table with this delicious Tomato, Mozzarella & Basil Bruschetta recipe! Juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fragrant basil come together for a simple, flavorful appetizer everyone will love.
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In the bowl of a food processor, add drained tomatoes, 1 cup basil leaves, olive oil and 2 cloves garlic. Pulse until smooth, but somewhat chunky. Season with salt and pepper. On a baking sheet, line up baguette slices. Toast in oven for about 3 minutes. Working quickly, rub the remaining garlic on the toasted side of each slice and then lay a piece of mozzarella cheese on top. Place bread back in oven for about 45 seconds. Remove from oven and spread one tablespoon of the tomato mixture on each piece. Place bruschetta on decorative platter and garnish with basil leaves.
