Rotator Cuff Physical Therapy

Anyone who has sustained a rotator cuff injury or has undergone surgery for it is usually required to complete physical therapy. Although it is extremely beneficial it can also be very scary for someone who has never had to do this before. Here are some of the most common questions new patients have regarding physical therapy.

What is physical therapy?

Physical therapy is a medical profession in which a therapist provides a service to people who are in need of developing, maintaining, or restoring movement within their body.

How do I find the right physical therapist?

Finding a therapist that is trained for your specific needs and that you feel comfortable working with is of the utmost importance to your success. However, this is usually easier said than done. The first and easiest step in locating a good therapist is to ask for recommendations from family, friends, and your doctor. Don’t make an immediate decision based on a recommendation though. Do your own research. Ask for the therapist’s credentials; find out where they went to college and how long they have been practicing. A good rule of thumb is to find a therapist who has been in business for at least 3 years.

Determine if the location, office hours, and appointment times are convenient for you. Learn about the financial aspects of the office. Will your sessions be covered by insurance? Does this particular office accept your type of insurance? If you must pay for your sessions find out what type of payments they will accept: cash, check, credit card? If payment is a concern don’t be afraid to ask if they will set up some form of payment plan.
Finally, set up an interview with the physical therapist you are considering a few weeks before your first session. This will allow you to get a feel for this person prior to working with them so closely.

Now that I found a good therapist, what can I expect during my sessions?

The role of a physical therapist is to assist you in moving your injured arm while completing stretching exercises so that you can eventually complete these exercises on your own without assistance. Some of the stretching exercises that you can be expected to perform are the posterior shoulder stretch, shoulder blade stretch, wrist flexor, elbow extensor stretch, and the wrist extensor stretch. In addition to stretching exercises you may also be required to engage in strengthening exercises. These are just as important as stretching and can include some or all of the following: shoulder flexion, shoulder abduction, shoulder elevation, military press, horizontal abduction, shoulder extension, external rotation, and internal rotation.

Why do I need to worry about doing so many different exercises?

Although the human body has an amazing capability to heal itself it can not restore the strength or range of motion that you had prior to the injury. Therefore the purpose of stretching and strengthening exercises is to stimulate the cells to produce collagen and form normal, strong tendons.

How many times a week should I be going to physical therapy?

Every situation is different and this is something that will be discussed between you, your doctor, and your physical therapist. However, most people with rotator cuff related issues typically go to therapy three to five times per week and the above mentioned stretching and strengthening exercises are done in repetitions of ten or fifteen depending on your mobility.

Are there any exercises I can do at home?

Yes! Many of the exercises that you will do during physical therapy can also be done at home. Your therapist may show you some variations of these exercises but it is highly recommended that you continue to work on stretching and strengthening your rotator cuff at all times.