Rotator cuff injuries are remarkably common, but if you want to heal a torn rotator cuff exercises is a critical component. Unlike some other muscular injuries where the goal is to strengthen supporting muscle, the four muscles of the rotator cuff must be strong on their own, or the shoulder will become prone to dislocating.

Impingements
If the space within the rotator cuff decreases from injury, time is of the essence. The longer you leave a shoulder impinged, the more likely scar tissue will cause it to encapsulate, making movement nearly impossible.

Many exercises that deal with impingements start out very gently increasing the space within the shoulder joint. Stretches, pendulum based movements and the like all are designed to improve mobility slowly, and are the first step in healing. Once you have made some more room in the joint, you generally move on to more aggressive stretching and strengthening.

Tears
Tears of the rotator cuff require exercises, medication and sometimes surgery. Chronic and acute tears have different treatment, based upon the severity and type of injury. Sometimes an injection of a steroid is needed to reduce swelling and pain so that the patient can begin a routine of exercise that keeps the joint working while it heals. It is rare to immobilize an arm for long.

Dislocations
Dislocations often lead to unstable shoulders. That translates into a future full of regular dislocation for some people. Strengthening exercises are an important part of reducing constant dislocations. If exercises can’t help enough then surgery to tighten up the loosened and stretched ligaments is considered.

Regardless of the type of injury that has been caused to your shoulder, torn rotator cuff exercises is a critical part of the healing process. It is very easy to develop a habit of “babying” an injured joint, which only leads to more problems down the road. Movement, stretching and strengthening are all critical for a complete recovery.