The rotator cuff is a group of 4 muscles and tendons in the shoulder that act to both stabilise and move the ball and socket joint of the shoulder. They can be injured due to a variety of reasons such as trauma, overuse, muscle imbalance around the shoulder complex, poor ergonomics, poor posture or stiffness of the upper spine etc.
Symptoms include pain on specific shoulder movements (often overhead) and with specific tests that target these muscles. The pain may be as a result of pinching of one of the rotator cuff tendons or even a tendon tear.
Your physiotherapy treatment will depend on your specific problem but may include: manual therapy, an exercise programme, analysis and modification of your training regime/ ergonomics/ activities of daily living. Sometimes an MRI or surgery is required, and onward referral to a shoulder specialist will be carried out where appropriate.
