An injury to the rotator cuff may prove to be one of the most problematic injuries one could suffer. This is because such an injury could lead to extreme pain every time someone where to lift his/her arm. This would certainly have the effect of inhibiting one’s ability to perform life’s daily tasks with any sense of ease. That is why it is advisable to integrate exercises for rotator cuff strengthening into one’s regular workout regimen.
These exercises are actually quite simple and easy to do. They require minimal effort, a small pair of hand weights, and they can be used as a stepping stone to your more intense workout time. Here are a few of these easy-to-perform exercises that will strengthen the rotator cuff muscles.
Note: All of these exercises will focus on the joint connecting the shoulder and the arm. This is where the rotator cuff muscle group is located. All of these exercises will include the same basic form or position. Bend your elbow to form a 90 degree angle between your forearm and your upper arm. Rotate the hand to a palm up position. Hold a light dumbbell or weight in your hand to add additional strength. Then incorporate the specific body positioning for each exercise outlined below, maintaining this arm position.
External Rotator – Standing Position – Stand upright with your arms in the above-described position. Perform a moderate level of repetitions-perhaps 10 to start-and adjusting the number of repetitions to the current strength level and tolerance of your arm strength. You can increase the number of reps gradually as you progress in your rotator cuff strengthening regime. But don’t push too hard, as you don’t want to injure the area.
Seated External Rotator – This is the exact same exercise that is performed when standing. Instead, the person exercising will be seated on an exercise bench. This may prove easier for some to handle since it relives the leg muscles of having to support the body’s weight. Please note: it is critical to keep your back straight when performing these exercises in a seated manner.
Lying Side External Rotator – Lie down on a mat on the floor on one side of your body. This will change the stress points on the rotator cuff muscles by changing your center of gravity. Perform the same exercise you did above in this lying down position. Do an equal number of reps on each side or as your strength and conditioning can tolerate.
Knee Support External Rotator – While seated on the floor, bend you led and place your elbow on the knee. From this position, you perform your exercises. This may take a little of the weight stress off the weight making it one of the easier exercises for rotator cuff strength to perform. Also, the change in the gravitational angle also adds to the potential impact of the exercise.
Tom Nicholson has spent years caring for sufferers of carpal tunnel syndrome. Please click here to find out more regarding someexercises for rotator cuff.