When you have a rotator cuff injury it can seem like you can’t do anything anymore. The simplest tasks can cause intense pain, and you may not even be able to lift that arm at all.

It’s true that whenever we’re going through some sort of ordeal or serious injury that it seems we’ll never make it to the other side, and recovering from shoulder injuries is no exception. It doesn’t look like it’s ever going to get better and we start entertaining thoughts of how to live with it long term.

Shoulders are one of the most amazing parts of the body considering the wide range of motion they were designed for, and this complexity, especially of the rotator cuff is why recovering from an injury in this area can be more difficult. Just consider the anatomical engineering required to provide complete freedom of movement through a whole 360 degree circle.

The many muscles and tendons making up the rotator cuff all work in concert to hold your arm to your shoulder by keeping the ball on top of the upper arm firmly pressed into the socket in your shoulder blade. There is no other joint that allows for movements as complicated as those performed by the shoulder when it works properly.

It should come as no surprise that rotator cuff injuries are fairly common considering the extreme flexibility offered by this joint. The shoulder can be over-stressed by overhead arm movements, especially when they are repeated a lot, the action of improper lifting, and falling where the shoulder takes a direct impact. Getting older increases risk as flexibility is lost, and poor posture doesn’t help either.

Working in certain trades like construction and automotive garages increases chances of injury as does participation in various athletic activities where there is throwing or reaching involved. Even though younger people have more elasticity in their joints, they also tend to do more where there is increased chance of over-extending themselves.

When the rotator cuff is working right we tend to take for granted the wide range of motion it allows us, but that is exactly why the loss of that capability is felt so intensely. Mostly we feel the pain associated when trying to do much of anything. Reaching up or holding something is likely impossible, and it hurts to do even simple things like putting on a coat.

Favoring the injured arm and shoulder is common and avoiding things like sleeping on the affected side, or certain types of movement are symptomatic. Pain that never lets up may be indicative of a more serious injury such as a torn rotator cuff, and should be properly evaluated.

The correct treatment depends on the type and extent of the injury and obviously no one wants a mild inflammation to become a more serious rotator cuff tear. Types of injury range from muscle inflammation with no material damage, all the way to a partial or complete muscle tear that may require some sort of surgery. Often it’s the case that self-care methods and exercise therapy bring about healing and recovery.

First thing is to allow the injury to heal by resting it, using cold and heat treatments, and anti-inflammatory medications along with something for pain. Once that happens start gently exercising it to relieve stiffness, then start a proper exercise regimen to recondition and strengthen the muscles once they’ve healed.

Its important to know when medical treatment by a physician is appropriate, but because most non-acute rotator cuff injuries can be treated with self-care and proper exercise therapy, finding a proven regimen to follow is invaluable. Note also that improper exercises can prolong the healing process or even make the injury worse.