Massage Therapy for the Rotator Cuffs
Once it’s been diagnosed by a medical specialist as a rotator cuff injury then, it’s time to research and find the best massage therapy care possible and to understand the muscle deep under your shoulder blade called the subscapularis could be the problem, according to Aguirre K, Mudreac A, Kiel J.(2020) . Personally you’ll find it very hard to reach but a qualified and skilled massage therapist will know exactly how to reset this muscle. The subscapularis is the strongest rotator cuff muscle and accounts for nearly 50% strength for this important joint. You suddenly realize just how important it is when you can’t use it, and can’t even sleep on it.
The rotator cuff consists of four muscles; the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor and subscapularis muscles. These muscles “originate” at the shoulder blade and are attached to the top of the arm bone. The function of the rotator cuff muscles is to lift the arms and rotate the shoulder in all directions. When this joint doesn’t function properly, It can cause lifestyle limitations.
The ability of the shoulder joint to rotate in a circle is known as a “ball and socket” joint. Other ball and socket joints in the body are the elbow and hip bones.
People most commonly affected by rotator cuff injuries are athletes and those with jobs that require repetitive motions such as office workers, construction workers, people with hypermobile joints, women in menopause or low estrogen are at greater risk. The most typical rotator cuff injuries are:
Tears
Strains
Tendonitis
Bursitis
Usual symptoms related to rotator cuff injuries:
Pain and weakness in the shoulder, especially at night, making it difficult to sleep on that side of the body
Pain and difficulty when lifting the arms or rotating the shoulders
Frozen shoulder: not really a symptom of a rotator cuff injury but it can be the result of one. Resting the shoulder joint is a very important treatment for a rotator cuff injury, but keeping the joint immobilized for too long can cause the muscles and tendons to “freeze” or lock up and get stuck, making it incredibly difficult and painful to move.
Before having a massage always seek medical advice from your General practitioner . Research has shown accrediting Labert, R(2018) who says massage therapy can be an important part of recovery and treatment. For rotator cuffs 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.
Our experienced massage therapist at Surreal Holistic Therapy specializes in recognizing these injuries and pinpointing where your body needs the most attention during a free consultation
For further enquiries and to book an appointment
Contact Jenny @surrealholistictherap.com or 07758754317
References
The Rotator Cuffs Injury . Mayo Clinic(2022) cited in
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rotator-cuff-injury/symptoms-causes/syc-20350225 Accessed (28.12.22)
Massage therapy for the rotator cuffs . Labert, R(2018) cited in
https://www.rmtedu.com/blog/massage-therapy-for-the-rotator-cuff accessed (29.12.22)
Subscapular. Aguirre K, Mudreac A, Kiel J.(2020) cited in
