Skip to Content
UW Health SMPH

Rotator Cuff Problems: Exercises You Can Do at Home

Introduction Back to top

Exercises are a very important part of treatment for a rotator cuff disorder. If pain, weakness, and stiffness in your shoulder are related to problems with your rotator cuff, a doctor will usually first recommend nonsurgical treatment. Exercises, combined with periods of rest, ice, and heat and taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), resolve most rotator cuff problems. If the pain in or function of your shoulder does not improve with these methods, surgery or other treatment may be considered.

You need to avoid certain motions and everyday activities that make your problems worse, such as reaching into the backseat of your car or stretches that pull your arms toward your back. Be careful when you begin your exercises. Slow down or stop the activity if needed.

Exercises also play a role when your rotator cuff is treated surgically. You will work with your doctor and physical therapist to plan an exercise program that helps you regain as much strength and flexibility in your shoulder as possible.

What?
What exercises help with rotator cuff disorders?
 

Exercises that help rotator cuff disorders include:

  • Stretches and range-of-motion routines to help restore flexibility.
  • Strength-building routines to help stabilize the shoulder.

Be sure to talk with your doctor or physical therapist before you start any exercises for rotator cuff disorders. After the exercises listed below are approved, your results will depend on your commitment to using the correct technique and doing the exercises as often and for as long as your doctor recommends. But do not continue exercises that cause pain. Talk to your doctor to see if you are doing the exercises properly. If you are doing them correctly and yet are having pain, you may need modified exercises or other treatment.

Test Your Knowledge

If my symptoms improve with exercise, it is okay to do them less frequently.

  • True
    This answer is incorrect.

    It is important that you continue your exercises as long as your doctor recommends. Stopping exercises or not doing them as frequently as recommended may delay your progress. Not doing exercises as prescribed can also make it more difficult for your doctor to diagnose your problem.

  • False
    This answer is correct.

    It is important that you continue your exercises as long as your doctor recommends. Stopping exercises or not doing them as frequently as recommended may delay your progress. Not doing exercises as prescribed can also make it more difficult for your doctor to diagnose your problem.

  •  

I should not do an exercise that is painful.

  • True
    This answer is correct.

    Some mild discomfort is not unusual when you start new exercises, but your exercises should not hurt. If any exercise causes pain, talk to your doctor. You may be doing the exercise incorrectly, or it may need to be modified. Pain may also mean that your condition needs other treatment.

  • False
    This answer is incorrect.

    Some mild discomfort is not unusual when you start new exercises, but your exercises should not hurt. If any exercise causes pain, talk to your doctor. You may be doing the exercise incorrectly, or it may need to be modified. Pain may also mean that your condition needs other treatment.

  •  

Continue to Why?

Why?
Why do I need to do exercises for rotator cuff disorders?
 

Exercises can help relieve shoulder pain related to rotator cuff disorders. Stretching and strengthening exercises can help you properly use your shoulder to minimize further damage. Exercises can also improve strength and flexibility of related muscles and tendons.

Most rotator cuff disorders are resolved with exercises that are combined with other home treatment methods, such as rest, ice, heat, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. If exercise and other home treatment methods do not sufficiently relieve painful symptoms or improve strength and range of motion, your rotator cuff may have a complete tear that needs surgery, or you may have another condition.

Test Your Knowledge

Exercises can help me use my shoulder properly, relieve pain, build strength, and improve flexibility related to my rotator cuff.

  • True
    This answer is correct.

    Exercises are part of a complete nonsurgical treatment program that can help relieve pain in most people and restore enough function of their shoulder to avoid surgery.

  • False
    This answer is incorrect.

    Exercises are part of a complete nonsurgical treatment program that can help relieve pain in most people and restore enough function of their shoulder to avoid surgery.

  •  

Continue to How?

How?
How do I exercise for rotator cuff disorders?
 

Before you start these exercises, talk with your doctor or physical therapist. It is important to be consistent and do the exercises every day.

But stop exercising and call your health professional if you are not sure you are doing them correctly or if you have any pain. Any discomfort you feel during exercise should not last more than 2 hours after you finish. And pain should not wake you up at night.

Clicking and popping during exercise are not necessarily cause for concern. But a grinding sensation may point to another problem.

If your shoulder is sore after you exercise, ice it.

Stretching exercises

If you have had surgery to repair a rotator cuff tear, you will not usually begin any active exercises until at least 3 to 6 weeks after surgery. Active exercise might be allowed right away after surgery for tendinitis. Be sure to follow your surgeon's advice on when exactly these exercises are appropriate. Also, most people wear an immobilizing sling or shoulder brace after surgery. You will need to ask your doctor about getting help taking it off before you exercise and replacing it at the end of the session. A friend, family member, or physical therapist may be able to help you if your doctor approves.

You should master the stretching exercises and be able to put your shoulder through its full range of motion before you begin strengthening routines. Do the stretching exercises 5 to 10 times a day.

The list below links to specific stretching exercises with pictures and instructions.

Strengthening exercises

Start strengthening exercises only after you have your doctor's approval. Usually these exercises are started gradually as soon as you can do the stretching routine without pain. But these and other similar exercises usually should not be done until at least 6 to 8 weeks after surgery.

For any of the following exercises where your arms start at or stretch from your sides, the motion should be on a diagonal about 30 degrees to the front of where your arms would make a T when raised 90 degrees to the side.

The list below links to specific strengthening exercises with pictures and instructions.

Scapular strengthening exercises

The shoulder blade (scapula) is one of the main bones of the shoulder joint. It stabilizes the shoulder from the back side. If the scapula doesn't move well, it puts a lot of pressure on the rotator cuff and related muscles, which can cause strain. Also, if the scapula is not moving properly, there is an increased risk of impingement in the subacromial space.

Scapular exercises can help you keep or improve strength around the shoulder blade to help with rotator cuff function.

The list below links to specific scapular strengthening exercises with pictures and instructions.

Test Your Knowledge

I should start with the strengthening exercises and follow with the stretching exercises.

  • True
    This answer is incorrect.

    You must first regain your flexibility and be able to do the stretching exercises without pain. When you are comfortable with all of the stretches, you can advance to the strengthening exercises.

  • False
    This answer is correct.

    You must first regain your flexibility and be able to do the stretching exercises without pain. When you are comfortable with all of the stretches, you can advance to the strengthening exercises.

  •  

If I have pain while I exercise, I need to call my doctor.

  • True
    This answer is correct.

    Although some pain may be normal, you need to check in with your doctor to see if you need further evaluation.

  • False
    This answer is incorrect.

    Although some pain may be normal, you need to check in with your doctor to see if you need further evaluation.

  •  

Continue to Where?

Where?
Where can I learn more about exercises to help rotator cuff disorders?
 

For more information about exercises for rotator cuff problems, talk to:

For more information on shoulder pain and rotator cuff disorders, see:

Return to topic:

Rotator Cuff Disorders

Credits Back to top

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Timothy Bhattacharyya, MD
Last Revised November 30, 2011

Last Revised: November 30, 2011

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine & Timothy Bhattacharyya, MD

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

To learn more visit Healthwise.org

© 1995-2013 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.