Rotator Cuff Tears: Exercises to Avoid for Healing

The rotator cuff is an area of small muscles that are located on the back of the shoulder. When they get torn, there are many exercises that are contraindicated, as they can exacerbate the tear.

Military Press

• The military press is an exercise that involves pushing dumbbells or barbells overhead to work the shoulders. These should not be done because they put too much stress on the rotator cuff.

Pullups

• Pullups are done by hanging from a bar and using the whole weight of the body as resistance, which can put pressure on the rotator cuff.

Pulldowns

• Lat pulldowns are done by pulling a bar from an overhead position down towards the body. They should not be done when there is a rotator cuff tear.

Inclines

• Incline bench presses should not be done if the arms come down past parallel with the ground, as this can put too much force on the shoulder.

Bench Presses

• When doing bench presses, reaching back and lifting the bar off the safety pins can exacerbate rotator cuff pain.