Rehabilitation in Water Benefits Rotator Cuff Patients
Rotator cuff injuries can occur while playing a sport, participating in an activity, or even from simple wear and tear. For sixty-nine year old Charles, a patient at Peak Performance in Lynbrook, NY, wear and tear of his rotator cuff weakened the joint and eventually required him to undergo surgery. Four weeks after his surgery, Charles was able to start his rehabilitation by participating in aqua therapy with an Aquatic Therapist from Peak Performance, Olmer Cruz, in the HydroWorx 500 Series Pool.
Cruz sums it up by stating there are two motions that the muscle makes when attempting to rotate the shoulder. The first motion that takes place is the muscle being placed inside the socket. Once the muscle is placed, the arm is then able to be lifted up. When performing aqua therapy the water eliminates the need for the first step. As the patient enters the pool, the water is able to guide the muscle into the socket. Therefore, all the patient needs to do is develop the strength to lift their arm in an upward and downward motion.
“If I see somebody’s shoulder not progressing, their getting that stiffness, pain, really can’t move, the pool is a perfect solution for that” -Olmer Cruz
Throughout the therapy, Cruz offers multiple exercises and tips for faster and healthier rehabilitation. One of the many benefits of rehabilitation in water is how the warm water actually relaxes the muscles, while decreasing the pain. An important factor to remember for the patient is to keep the shoulder underwater while performing the exercises to allow for faster healing and proper procedure. The beauty of performing these exercises underwater is that Charles is able to do any exercise he would on land but without the pain and discomfort to his shoulder. Protocols that couldn’t be performed on land due to pain levels or inabilities are done in water with much greater ease.
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Some simple protocols that can be replicated in water include:
- Forward and backward circle motions
- Utilizing paddles for upward and downward motions at 90 degree angle with resistance
- Standing patients at an angle to perform exercises, allowing for 120 degree motion
- Bicep and tricep curls with resistance
- Wall push-ups
Another advantage to using aquatic therapy technology is deep tissue massage. For a rotator cuff rehabilitation in the pool, Cruz looks to accomplish four things with the underwater massage using the resistance jets and massage hose:
1. Take away the pain from the patient.
2. Increase the patient’s range of motion.
3. Increase the patient’s strength.
4. Get the patient back into a normal life
View this FREE webinar on-demand.
View this webinar on-demand by Steve Kemp, Elite Football Physiotherapist & Physiotherapist to the Senior England Men’s Team at Perform at St. George’s Park, will be presenting on The Use of Hydrotherapy for Early Progression of Rehabilitation Protocol. The webinar will give an overview of the criterion based rehabilitation philosophies used at Perform at St. George’s Park, and how hydrotherapy is used in early phases of rehabilitation. To view this webinar, click here!
Page updated on: July 7th, 2020