The rotator cuff doesn’t rotate.

The rotator cuff helps externally rotate the shoulder and prevent the shoulder from separating.  Pain, clicking and other dysfunction at the shoulder occurs when there is weakness or lack of flexibility in the muscles of the rotator cuff.  Many people have a severe imbalance in strength at the shoulder causing a condition known as kyphosis, or “winging”.  This occurs when the shoulders remain internally rotated at all times.  This condition is exacerbated by excessive upper body pushing motions (ie. bench and military press) without equal and opposing pulling motions.

When training the shoulder, rehabilitative exercises that internally rotate the shoulder are often unnecessary due to the fact that most lifting, throwing and pressing motions already strengthen the internal rotators.  As I have said in a previous article (Training Tip 5/9/11: Why does my shoulder hurt?), one simple way to eliminate shoulder pain is performing hanging arm circles.  Another is to practice shoulder retraction (drawing the shoulder blades together) and exercises that reinforce that action.

Jaime Gamache M.Ed., CSCS, is Owner and Head Strength Coach of The Way Human Performance Institute ( www.thewayhpi.com and www.facebook.com/pages/The-Way-Human-Performance-Institute/117742824954659 )