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Our user asked: "Hi. I am a 35 year old female. Both of my rotator cuffs were strained (right one worse) from a chiropractor injuring me two and a half months ago now. Didn't know at first the extent; just thought pinched my nerves. An A.R.T. Therepist I have been seeing told me cuffs were strained. I have babied the right side most of this time because it was so weak and painful to use. A.R.T. Told me recently I must start exercising my rotator muscles or they won't heal. Right side is sooo weak. After A.R.T. Visits I have full range of motion again and pain decreased. However, when I try to use right arm for even daily hygein, eating, drinking, it is so weak it's hard to use and it fatigues easily and then throbbing pain begins. I thought the pain was finally down and exercised for a week, slowly increasing reps (no weights can't handle yet). It was feeling gradually stronger. Then three days ago, after exercise both shoulders tightened And weakened to the point they were hard to use again. Throbbing achy pain and hard to sleep again. Just walking long or sitting up straight causes shoulder blade area (the weakest part) to fatigue and ache; making shopping even more difficult. Is this normal? Will these muscles just generally hurt and fatigue easily until strength is rebuilt, or are they hurting because I'm harming myself instead of helping? Very frustrated and concerned. Thanks for any advice to help me understand"
Ask a PT Response: "I am assuming you are working with a physical therapist who is trained in the active release technique. Sounds like you are doing the right things with the therapist with strengthening, range of motion and postural/functional training. Given you report marked improvement with your condition after therapy, this is a promising sign. With your outcomes so far, it would suggest that you would more than likely to continue to demonstrate gains with strength, ROM and pain management as you continue to work with your therapist. With these gains you should be able to develop lasting functional strength, range of motion and pain relief. Hang in there and I wish you the best of luck with your recovery."
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