Natural Alternatives to Heal a Reinjured Rotator Cuff

The rotator cuff is the group of small muscles that helps hold and support the shoulder. However, as with all muscle groups, this one can sometimes get easily injured even during normal daily activities. While you can get surgery to repair an injured or re-injured rotator cuff, if the muscles aren't completely torn there are other, natural options for healing.

Physical Therapy

• Physical therapy is a common way to help heal rotator cuff injuries. Professional therapists will help those who are injured by having them do therapeutic exercises including wall push-ups, dumbell lifts and others that are geared towards keeping the muscles stretched and limber as they heal. The goal is to not build up scar tissue, which is hard and which limits movement in the shoulder once it is healed. Physical therapists may also give patients at-home assignments to complete as part of their healing therapy.

Whirlpool

• Whirlpool baths are also another way to help the healing process for an injured or re-injured rotator cuff. Once the area has been injured you should be trying at all costs not to re-injure it, but sometimes it happens. Patients will be asked to sit in the bath with their chin slightly above water as the jets swirl water over the injured area. The water is ideally warm but not hot, and the patient's exposure will be determined by the physical therapist or doctor who is overseeing the necessary treatment.

Ice

• Ice is a good way to keep swelling down and to numb pain, and it works very well with rotator cuff injuries. Ice may be used on its own, but it's often used in conjunction with hydrotherapy. Packs of actual ice may be used, but gel packs or frozen vegetables work more efficiently. The pack is held against the injured area for a certain amount of time (once more determined by the therapist or doctor and based on the individual patient and injury), and then the ice is removed. The cold should help speed the healing process along.