How to Rehabilitate a Rotator Cuff

The rotator cuff is comprised of four main muscles: the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor and subscapularis. Injury to these muscles causes severe pain and limited shoulder mobility. Swimmers, baseball players, bowlers and golfers often injure these muscles, and severe damage can require surgery. Minor injuries to the rotator cuff, on the other hand, respond to treatments anyone can employ at home. Resting and immobilization provide the best path to recovery and ensure that you will be back on the field, pool or golf course in good shape.

Instructions

    • 1

      Consult with your doctor to verify that your rotator cuff injury is minor. Follow this step to ensure that surgery is not necessary and to prevent aggravation of a moderate injury. In short, you first need to make sure self-rehabilitation is a viable option for you.

    • 2

      Rest the shoulder with an arm sling. Arm slings immobilize the entire arm and provide the rest necessary for the rotator cuff muscles to recover. Constant movement, especially the movement that caused the injury in the first place, delay or aggravate the injury.

    • 3

      Ice the injury to dull pain and apply heat to reduce swelling. Alternating between ice and heat keeps the pain and swelling manageable which, in turn, prevents you from moving the injured area and potentially delaying recovery.

    • 4

      Take over-the-counter pain medication with anti-inflammatory characteristics to control pain and reduce swelling in the joint.

    • 5

      Consult your doctor again after several days of rest, immobilization and pain management. You need to start moving your shoulder again to stave off stiffness and build strength. Follow your doctor's advice about which minimal shoulder exercises you can do that are appropriate for your injury.