Rotator Cuff Strains: What You Need to Know and How We Can Help
Shoulder pain can be incredibly frustrating, especially when it starts to interfere with your daily routine. One of the most common culprits? A rotator cuff strain. At North Texas Injury and Wellness, we see this issue all the time and are here to help you get back to feeling your best. Let’s take a closer look at what a rotator cuff strain is, why it happens, and how we can help you recover.
What Is a Rotator Cuff Strain?
The rotator cuff is a group of four small muscles that keep your shoulder joint stable while allowing you to move your arm. When these muscles are overworked or injured, it can lead to a condition known as a rotator cuff strain.
Interestingly, only about 10% of rotator cuff tears are caused by sudden injuries like falling or lifting something heavy. Most strains happen over time due to repeated movements or something called “impingement.” Impingement occurs when the space in your shoulder joint becomes too tight, pinching the rotator cuff tendon every time you lift your arm.
Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore
Rotator cuff injuries don’t always start with obvious pain. In fact, many strains begin with subtle symptoms that become more noticeable as time goes on. Here are some common signs:
- Pain in the front or outside of your shoulder: It might feel like a dull ache at first, but it can intensify over time.
- Pain that radiates down your arm: This can make everyday tasks, like lifting or reaching, uncomfortable.
- Nighttime pain: If your shoulder hurts more when you’re trying to sleep, this could be a sign of a strain.
- A snapping or tearing sensation: If your injury happened suddenly, you might recall feeling or hearing something unusual in your shoulder, followed by sharp pain and weakness.
If any of this sounds familiar, it’s a good idea to get it checked out sooner rather than later.
How We Help You Heal
At North Texas Injury and Wellness, we understand how important it is to get you back to your normal routine as quickly and safely as possible. That’s why we create personalized treatment plans to address your specific needs. Depending on your situation, we might recommend:
- Therapy to manage pain: We use targeted techniques to reduce inflammation and relax your muscles.
- Myofascial release: This hands-on approach helps ease long-standing tightness and break up soft tissue adhesions.
- Stretching exercises: These help restore your flexibility and improve the range of motion in your shoulder.
Our focus isn’t just on treating the pain but on addressing the root cause of your injury to prevent it from happening again.
Don’t Wait to Address Shoulder Pain
Rotator cuff injuries often get worse if they’re ignored. Without proper care, a small strain can lead to chronic pain or more significant damage that’s harder to treat. Seeking help early can make all the difference in your recovery and help you avoid unnecessary discomfort down the road.
Let’s Get You Moving Again
If you’ve been dealing with shoulder pain, don’t tough it out any longer. At North Texas Injury and Wellness, we specialize in treating rotator cuff strains and a variety of other injuries. Our goal is to get you back to doing the things you love without pain holding you back.
Contact us today to schedule your appointment. We’re here to help you feel your best again!