Rotator cuff injuries: physical therapy and other treatments, per MedlinePlus
MedlinePlus lists “Physical therapy exercises to strengthen your shoulder and improve movement” among common treatments for rotator cuff injuries. This page quotes MedlinePlus only.
Quoted from official pages checked November 12, 2026. Confirm current information on those sites. This page is not medical advice and does not describe any patient’s care.
Source read on November 12, 2026: MedlinePlus’s Rotator Cuff Injuries page (last updated January 8, 2024).
What the injuries are
MedlinePlus states: “Rotator cuff injuries are common. Most of them are wear-and-tear injuries from doing the same arm movements over and over - especially reaching over your head.” It names tendinitis, bursitis, and rotator cuff tears, and says people in jobs with a lot of overhead reaching or heavy lifting may be more likely to have rotator cuff problems.
Diagnosis
MedlinePlus says a provider “Will examine your shoulder. This includes checking the range of motion and where the pain is.” And: “Will test your arm and shoulder strength.”
Treatment
MedlinePlus states: “The best treatment for you depends on your age, how much your injury bothers you, and whether your injury was sudden or happened from wear and tear.” Its list includes rest, ice, pain relievers, a corticosteroid shot, and “Physical therapy exercises to strengthen your shoulder and improve movement”. It adds: “Treatments for rotator cuff tendinitis and bursitis may also include ultrasound therapy.” And: “Treatments for a torn rotator cuff may also include heat to the sore area or electrical stimulation of the nerves and muscles (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, TENS).”
On timing: “early treatment can prevent mild rotator cuff injuries from becoming more serious later on.”
What this page does not do
It does not repeat MedlinePlus’s surgery timing or its links to non-government sites. It is not medical advice and does not recommend any treatment, medicine, or product. Scope of practice for each profession is set by state law; check your state board.