How to Stretch for a Rotator Cuff Tear

The rotator cuff is the series of muscles and tendons in the shoulder joint. Vigorous activity, such as weight lifting and swimming, can cause strain and small tears in the rotator cuff. Shoulder movement with a rotator cuff tear should be kept to a minimum, but slight stretching may be beneficial. Stretching may prevent stiffness in the muscles and tendons and promote blood flow to the area, which may speed up the healing process.

Things You'll Need

• Broomstick

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Hold the injured arm across the chest. Grab the elbow with the hand from the uninjured arm and pull it toward the body until you feel a slight stretch. Hold the position for 20 seconds and repeat the stretch three more times.

• 2

  Stand up straight and clasp both hands behind the back. Keep both elbows straight and slowly raise the arms until you feel a slight stretch. Hold the position for 20 seconds, relax the arms and repeat the stretch three more times.

• 3

  Hold the injured arm out to the side of the body so it's parallel to the ground and bend the elbow upward at a 90-degree angle. Bend the hand back and grasp the end of a broomstick with the other end pointing at the ground, with the broomstick behind the arm. Grab the bottom of the broomstick with the uninjured arm and pull the bottom forward, causing the injured arm to stretch back. Hold the position for 20 seconds and repeat three more times.

• 4

  Repeat the stretching sessions three times throughout the day.