Rotator Cuff Injuries
In 2008, it was reported that nearly two million people in the U.S. sought their physician’s help for a rotator cuff problem. Your rotator cuff is made up of four different muscles in the shoulder. Together, they are responsible for the elevation and rotation of your arm. Your shoulder itself is a ball-and-socket joint that allows your arm to move in any direction.
Your rotator cuff muscles are responsible for the movement and stabilization of the shoulder. Damage to any of the muscles of the rotator cuff or the ligaments that attach the muscles to bone can cause serious issues. You might have a problem due to an injury, aging or chronic overuse.
The Cause of Rotator Cuff Tendinitis
It can be difficult to tell the difference between a pinched nerve in the neck and a rotator cuff tendinitis. Tendinitis can be associated with a rotator cuff tear. This condition can be diagnosed with an MRI. You may also get bursitis from your rotator cuff tear. Often, issues in the neck and upper back need to be located and addressed.
When the muscles in your shoulder become inflamed, you’ll start to feel pain. An injury to this area is referred to as a strain and is classified by three separate grades:
- Grade I strain involve a stretching of the fibers without tearing
- Grade II injuries involve a partial muscle or a tendon tearing
- Grade III injuries are defined as a complete tear of a muscle or a tendon
The Symptoms of Rotator Cuff Tendinitis
If you suffer from rotator cuff tendinitis, you may experience different symptoms, such as
- Pain and swelling at the front of your shoulder and the side of your arm
Pain that is triggered by raising or lowering your arm, or while reaching behind your back
A clicking sound when raising your arm - Stiffness
- Pain that causes you to awaken from sleep
- A pain that starts gradually over the side of the shoulder and your upper arm
- Pain when using your shoulder and arm
- A pain that spreads down the outside of your upper arm, often to the elbow
- Pain that worsens at night and keeps you awake
- Pain that worsens when lifting your arm to the side or to the front
- Pain that worsens over time or becomes constant (may indicate a tendon tear)
Some people may have tendinitis in other parts of their shoulder. Others might have pain in the neck from using the muscles there to compensate for the shoulder muscles that aren’t working as they should.
How Our Laser Helps
Our Class IV laser is designed to have three effects: relieve pain, cut down on inflammation and boost your healing. Your pain levels are affected by reduced neuronal impulses and the release of endorphins. Inflammatory factors and edema decrease. With an enhanced blood flow, the stimulation of collagen production and fibroblast activity and the release of cytokines, your healing is accelerated.
