Re: rotator cuff injury

Hi, 22828

I am a student in massage therapy and I think massage therapy would help your situation. I believe the problem is related to either nerve impingement in the tendons or surrounding muscles, in which massage therapy would bring great releif.

The thing is tendons don't receive direct blood flow from red blood cells, which means they take a lot longer to heal from injury than, say, a muscle would. So manual manipulation of the surrounding soft tissue will improve circulation of fresh blood to the injury. It will also help circulate and remove dead tissues (like the lymphatic system does).

Find a good massage therapist. According to your movement, lack of movement and pain referral, they should be able to pinpoint which muscles are being affected.

The rotator cuff, or SITS muscles as they're known, are made up of four muscles which lie above the scapula (shoulder blade), on top of the scapula, underneath the scapula and along the angular border towards the arm. All of these muscles connect to the acromium process (shoulder/arm joint).

My notes mention it's a possibility that the main injury is of the supraspinatus muscle, a muscle that is underneath the largeer trapezius muscle, it's position is just above the scapula, lies underneath the clavicle and wraps around and connects to the acromium process. This can become impinged and cause pain.

Regarding the swelling, as long as it is not in an acute stage (the therapist will determine based on your feedback) the area can be worked on. And even if it is acute, some action can help. For example, hydrotherapy can be used. It may take a little time for the muscles/tendon to repair itself slightly and then the therapies can be intesified, with the goal being that range of motion be improved over time.

Andreas and others might have additional suggestions for relief.

Love
Lori