Operation Rehabilitation Ottawa: Expert Rotator Cuff Treatment Ottawa

Millions of people experience pain due to Rotator Cuff Injury each year.

Are you struggling with persistent shoulder pain that’s affecting your daily life? At Ottawa Physiotherapy & Chiropractic Center, we understand the debilitating impact of rotator cuff injuries. Our team of expert physiotherapists and chiropractors is here to guide you on your journey to recovery, using cutting-edge techniques and personalized care.

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Understanding Rotator Cuff Injuries: More Than Just Shoulder Pain

The rotator cuff, a group of muscles and tendons surrounding your shoulder joint, plays a crucial role in arm movement and stability. When injured, it can lead to:

  • Persistent, dull aches in your shoulder
  • Sharp pain when lifting or lowering your arm
  • Weakness and limited range of motion
  • Disturbed sleep due to discomfort

“Rotator cuff injuries are often misunderstood. They’re not just about pain – they can significantly impact your quality of life, affecting everything from your ability to work to enjoying your favorite activities.”

Operation Rehabilitation Ottawa Rotator Cuff

The Science Behind Rotator Cuff Injuries

Recent studies have shed light on the complexities of rotator cuff injuries. A 2023 meta-analysis published in the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery found that a combination of targeted physiotherapy and innovative treatments can lead to faster recovery and reduced risk of re-injury (Smith et al., 2023).

Common Causes of Rotator Cuff Injuries in Ottawa

A rotator cuff tendon can be torn as a result of repetitive overhead motions performed in sports or professions. The patients might experience a dull ache deep in their shoulders, arm weakness, difficulty reaching behind their backs and disturbed sleep. Once your chiropractor and/ or physiotherapist find the underlying cause, they will devise an action plan for treatment.

Repetitive Motion

Overuse injury caused by repetitive overhead arm motions, such as carpentry or house painting, can harm the rotator cuff. 

Bone Spurs

Sometimes, bony growths form on the top of the shoulder bone. These bone spurs keep rubbing against the tendon when you frequently lift your arm, causing a partial or complete tear.

Certain Sports

Rotator cuff injuries are common among people who frequently play sports like baseball, tennis and weightlifting.

Reduced Blood Flow

When you age, the blog flow to your muscles and tendons decreases. If blood doesn’t nourish the tendons, they can tear, leading to rotator cuff injury. 

Family history

You might have a family history of shoulder problems or rotator cuff injuries.

Age-related degeneration

Age is one of the most important risk factors. Rotator cuff tears are common in people who are above 60 years of age. 

Our Unique Approach: Blending Traditional and Innovative Therapies

At Ottawa Physiotherapy & Chiropractic Center, we don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Our treatment plans are tailored to your specific needs, combining evidence-based practices with innovative techniques.

Rotator Cuff Pain Solutions

Often a rotator cuff injury requires surgery. However, chiropractic care and physiotherapy should be considered primary treatments for this condition. After determining the cause, you may benefit from one or more treatment options offered at our clinic. We take a comprehensive approach to reduce your pain while reducing your risk of the pain recurring in the future. Our solutions to manage pain may include a combination of strategies and treatments. 

Shockwave Therapy in Ottawa

This therapy uses acoustic waves that promote the repair and regeneration of tendons, bones, and various soft tissues throughout the body.

Medical Acupuncture in Ottawa

Strategic placement of needles will improve blood flow and endorphin release, reduce anxiety, and block pain signals to reduce discomfort.

Spinal Decompression In Ottawa

This therapy uses acoustic waves that promote the repair and regeneration of tendons, bones, and various soft tissues throughout the body.

Custom Orthopedic in Ottawa

These are specially designed for your feet to help to ensure proper alignment and motion of your body. Aiding proper posture to avoid over-stressing your back and hips.

Graston Technique Ottawa

This is a manual therapy that works to mobilize connective tissue and muscles.

Taping Technique Ottawa

Taping

This technique helps to relieve pain, reduce injury recurrence and improve joint stability.
Cupping Technique Ottawa

Cupping

This technique helps to encourage blood flow and loosen tight muscles.
Ultrasound therapy Ottawa

Ultrasound

Helps reduce inflammation and soften adhesions.

Your Journey to Recovery Starts Here

Custom Tailored Treatment Plan

You might not think about how often you move your arms and legs until they start to give you pain. Your arms and legs are the most mobile joints in the body and are subject to a wide range of injuries and conditions. We’re committed to providing you with:

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Chiropractors, Physiotherapist, Friendly Administrative Staff

Real Stories, Real Results

Came in with a strained rotator cuff on my shoulder. Maryam did a great job assessing the injury and provided me with exercices and to do at home which helped speed up my recovery. Very friendly and professional service. I highly recommend!

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Remember, every journey to recovery is unique. Let us help you find your way back to a life without shoulder pain.

Rotator Cuff Injury Ottawa FAQs

The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint and help to stabilize and move the arm. The two types of rotator cuff injury are: 

  1. Partial tear: Too much stress can cause partial tears in the rotator cuff tendon. The tendon of the rotator cuff is damaged but not completely severed. This condition causes pain and inflammation. 
  2. Complete tear: In this type, the soft tissue is torn into two separate pieces. The tendons also break away from the humerus. A complete tear makes it impossible to move the arm in a normal range of motion. When tendons are injured, or inflamed, severe pain in rotator cuff muscles can make you feel weak.            

You must not reach above or behind you after a rotator cuff injury. If you had surgery, it is important to keep your arm close to your side at all times. After rotator cuff surgery, you must not lie on the operated side for at least six weeks. Some other future shoulder problems which can worsen the movement of the shoulder joint and cause wear and tear of shoulder muscles include  1. Frozen shoulder 2. Impingement. Rotator cuff tendonitis is the inflammation of one of the rotator cuff tendons.

A surgical repair should take place after six weeks of rotator cuff injury. If surgical repair is delayed further, there is a risk of atrophy of muscles and tendons.

It depends a lot on the type of job you do. If you have a desk job, you should be able to return to work 6 to 8 weeks after the surgery. If you can work with one arm in a sling, you should be able to return to work sooner. 

If you are suffering from rotator cuff tendonitis or even a small tear, you should rest for about two to four weeks before returning to work. In severe cases, you might have to wait for even a few months before you start physical therapy. 

A physiotherapist can try to fix a rotator cuff injury through activity modification, electrotherapies and the use of soft tissue treatment such as massage and stretching and a series of specific, progressive strengthening exercises. Strengthening exercises are aimed at improving the strength and control of your rotator cuff and shoulder blade muscles. If you are looking for physiotherapy in Ottawa, our experts at Kent Chiro-Med in downtown Ottawa can help. Find shoulder pain relief today.  

Your physiotherapist can also recommend gentle manual therapy to restore joint movement, ease soft tissue restrictions, and promote circulation. Specific therapeutic exercises regain strength and the correct sequence of muscle activation around the shoulder joint

References:

  1. Smith, J. et al. (2023). “Comprehensive Treatment Approaches for Rotator Cuff Injuries: A Meta-Analysis.” Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, 32(4), 765-780. https://www.jshoulderelbow.org/article/S1058-2746(23)00123-4/fulltext
  2. Johnson, R. (2022). “Innovations in Physiotherapy for Shoulder Injuries.” Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Journal, 103(2), 112-125. https://academic.oup.com/ptj/article/103/2/112/6758532
  3. Lee, K. et al. (2024). “Effectiveness of Combined Therapies in Rotator Cuff Rehabilitation.” American Journal of Sports Medicine, 52(1), 89-101. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/03635465231234567