Massage in Petaluma: Rotator Cuff Trouble

by Maria Lopez

Physical injury is pretty much a given for professional athletes, and even for fitness enthusiasts in Petaluma, California. Bruises and strained muscles are common injuries that often resolve with rest and ice. However, there are more serious conditions that can develop due to joint misalignment, impact, and muscular patterns of dysfunction. An example is a rotator cuff injury.

Rotator Cuff Problems
The rotator cuff is a group of muscles that surround the shoulder. This group of muscles (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres major, teres minor, and subscapularis) keep your arm bone (humerus) connected to its socket. Since the socket is quite shallow, the rotator cuff is susceptible to wear and injury. This is especially common among people who repeatedly use forceful, overhead motions in their activities. Painters, baseball players, and hair stylists are examples of people who use their rotator cuff group often.

Common Problems
Some of the most common forms of rotator cuff injuries include tendinitis and tear. Tendinitis occurs when the muscle tendons are injured as a result of excessive lifting, overhead reaching, or pushing. Tears on the other hand are often caused as a direct consequence of falls or direct blows to the shoulder area.

Surgery or Therapy
Some athletes and fitness enthusiasts in Petaluma, CA opt for surgical procedures to treat rotator cuff problems. Many choose to try a series of sessions in massage therapy from Petaluma CA licensed massage therapist, Amanda Wongsonegoro. Most people can get a prescription from their doctor for a specific number of sessions. If the client has a health spending account, (HSA), the money can be used for massage therapy. Often there is marked improvement after four to six sessions.Hire the ProsIt’s also extremely important to look for a licensed massage therapist (CA licensed CMT) to help with injuries or chronic joint conditions to the shoulder. Here are tips on how to do this from Examiner.com contributor Shelia Upshaw:

"It's extremely important that you get a clinical diagnosis before seeking treatment to make sure your CMT is treating the correct problem. Seeking medical advice is always important, and necessary to get the correct diagnosis. Ask your physician what he/she thinks of massage therapy and if they recommend you receive it”.

Recovery
After receiving massage therapy clients need recovery time. They should refrain from doing strenuous physical activity. A walk after a session can be good to integrate the changes made, and allow the nervous system to “re-orient”. Clients should avoid heavy lifting and other activities that could put undue strain or stress on an injured shoulder. Ice helps by reducing inflammation in the area.Clients with injured rotator cuffs often feel expedited healing time, improved joint function, and decreased pain from a series of therapeutic massage sessions. Reliable Petaluma massage therapy techniques are often integral to help people return to sports, and perform their work activities, without chronic pain and discomfort.

(Source: Rotator Cuff Syndrome: Can massage therapy help? Examiner)