Rotator Cuff Injuries
The rotator cuff is a region synonymous with baseball: because of the yanking motion and high arm speed involved in throwing a baseball, the shoulder muscles are consistently exposed to a repetitive stress. This group of muscles includes:
- Supraspinatus: elevation of the arm
- Infraspinatus: external rotation
- Teres minor: outward turning of the arm
- Subscapularis: internal rotation
These are the four muscles whose tendons connect the upper arm to the shoulder and stabilize the upper arm bone. They are also responsible for the wide range of motion in the shoulder and thus, are the most vulnerable to injury.
Any injury sustained by this group of muscles can fall under the umbrella of rotator cuff syndrome. Here are a few tasks that regularly rotate the shoulder:
- Painting
- Weight lifting
- Gardening
- Boxing
- Rowing
- Swimming
- Overhead motions
Injuries to the rotator cuff usually involve a tear to the muscle that results from one of two causes: traumatic injury or repetitive stress injury, which is the more common of the two. Pain is most often felt around the shoulder, intensifying when overhead motions are performed. Because they hinder athletic performance, rotator cuffs can be treated with surgery.
At Espinosa Family Chiropractic, we believe that given enough time, patience and proactive rehabilitation, the injury can heal itself to a point of comparative strength to pre-injury without the use of surgery. Damaged muscles and tendons benefit from massage therapy, which facilitates enhanced blood circulation: this brings healing nutrients and oxygen in greater amounts. Chiropractic adjustment to the shoulder joints allows the muscles to settle into a state of balance which helps them heal quicker.
Call our office in Sacramento at (916) 457-8825 and schedule an appointment today to find out how we can restore strength and flexibility to your damaged shoulder.
Dr. Raymond Espinosa, D.C.