Rotator Cuff Injuries
The rotator cuff is the name given to a group of four muscles that run from the scapula (shoulder blade) to the humerus (bone of the upper arm). These muscles play a crucial role in stabilising the arm and shoulder during movement, ensuring that the head of the humerus stays located within the shallow socket of the scapula.
Injuries to the muscles and tendons of the rotator cuff are common, especially in older people, or those who perform repetitive overhead activities. Injuries can be degenerative (wear and tear) or traumatic, and often cause the following symptoms:
- Dull pain in the shoulder
- Limited range of movement (especially overhead or behind the back)
- Weakness in the affected arm
- Difficulty sleeping on the painful side
- Clicking sounds during shoulder movement
Why current treatments fail
Rest – Many people with rotator cuff injuries are advised to rest, and while this may provide temporary relief, they often find that their pain returns as soon as they go back to any activity. The reason for this is that rest makes our muscles and tendons weaker, as they are not being given any stimulation to grow or repair. This means that when we return to activity, we do so with a weakened rotator cuff, meaning that it can be even more susceptible to further injury.
Painkillers – Painkillers are a good option in the short term, as they can help to stop pain from limiting our daily activities too much. However, rather than actually fixing the problem, they simply mask it temporarily, and so are not really a viable solution for a successful and full recovery.
Exercise – While exercise is an important part of any rotator cuff injury recovery, it is not always effective on its own. If other factors are negatively affecting the function of the shoulder, and these are not addressed, an exercise programme will often fail.
Our solution
As the first clinic in the U.K to offer magnetic shockwave therapy, we are uniquely placed to treat this type of injury. Our highly trained specialists will work with you to ensure that every aspect of your recovery is appropriately managed, with rehabilitation work and lifestyle/activity specific advice offered alongside our novel magnetic stimulation therapy.
How it works
Our ground-breaking treatment stimulates nerve deep within the rotator cuff, causing the muscles to contract and promoting healing in a number of ways:
- The contraction/relaxion cycles encourage blood flow in and out of the muscles, helping to deliver the resources needed for healing
- The frequent, painless activation of the muscle helps to increase its tolerance of movement
- The stimulation of the nerves in the area travels all the way up to the area of the brain related to the body part, helping to desensitise the painful region
Our team won’t rest until an excellent clinical outcome has been achieved, meaning that you can get on with your life without pain holding you back!
If you are interested in learning more about what we can do to help you, please do not hesitate to get in touch with one of our experts.
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