Rotator cuff injuries

Your rotator cuff is a group of 4 muscles and tendons that help keep your shoulder in its socket and allow you to move it in a circular motion. Some two million people a year seek medical attention for rotator cuff problems according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery. Most rotator cuff problems are due to either tears or impingement.

While full thickness tears often require surgical intervention, partial tears and impingements can respond to less invasive treatment like physical therapy, NSAIDS and decreasing repetitive trauma. Here are a few things you can do if you are experiencing shoulder pain:

• Posture: Focus on squeezing your shoulder blades together and not letting your shoulders round forward.

• Avoid long reaching positions, try to position your work/task close to you.

• Stretch your pectoral (chest) muscles by placing your forearms on the sides of a doorway at a 90-degree angle from your sides, take a small step forward until you feel a gentle stretch in the front of your shoulder.

• Avoid repetitive motions, try to change your tasks frequently.