Is physical therapy an effective treatment for partial rotator cuff tears?

The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons in and around the shoulder. This structure helps lift and move your arm. It’s especially active when you’re lifting your arm over your head or behind your back. 

Unfortunately, rotator cuff tears are all too common, especially in older adults. Most commonly, the rotator cuff isn’t completely torn but only partially torn. One study reports that partial rotator cuff tears occur in 24% of people between the ages of 40 and 60. Fortunately, physical therapy can be a highly effective treatment for people with a partial rotator cuff tear. 

How effective is physical therapy for a partial rotator cuff tear?

Physical therapists are experts at dealing with the musculoskeletal system and injuries that affect it. This is helpful since the rotator cuff is part of this body system. 

Additionally, physical therapists are trained to help reduce pain and improve your ability to move. They also have multiple therapy techniques at their disposal to help them meet these goals. It’s this combination of factors that allows physical therapy to be up to 92% effective at successfully treating rotator cuff tears. 

What will be involved in physical therapy for a partial rotator cuff tear?

There will be many steps involved in physical therapy for a partial rotator cuff tear. First, your physical therapist will examine your shoulder to determine how severe the injury is. This will likely involve them having you move your arm in certain ways and asking questions about your symptoms. 

After gathering as much information as possible about your symptoms, your physical therapist will create a therapy plan tailored to your needs. This unique therapy plan could include therapy methods such as: 

• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) therapy that can help break down scar tissue that can restrict your shoulder movement. 

• Therapeutic exercises to strengthen the rotator cuff muscles. 

• Joint mobilization to improve your shoulder’s range of motion. 

• Soft tissue mobilization that can help reduce tension and pain in your healing shoulder. 

• Virtual therapy sessions where you work with a physical therapist over a secure online video link. 

• At-home care appointments where your therapist comes to your home to work with you one-on-one. 

Advent PT offer treatment for partial rotator cuff tears

Are you looking for effective treatment for your rotator cuff injury? Our physical therapists at Advent Physical Therapy are primed to help you find the care you’re looking for. We can do a free screening of your shoulder to confirm you have a rotator cuff tear. Furthermore, our team excels at building therapy plans that are unique to each patient, and these plans are designed to offer benefits like: 

• Reducing pain.
• Improving mobility.
• Decreasing recovery time.
• Preventing future shoulder injuries.

Contact our team today for more information about our therapy services for shoulder injuries or to schedule an initial appointment.