rotator problems. what to do?

[ascendant]

well, since i've been lifting again, my rotator cuffs have been bothering me. i think it's because i've made some really fast gains catching up to where i used to be and the connective tissues have been really stressed cause of it. i've been trying to work through it, but it's not getting any better and for concerns of making my rotators worse, i've decided to give them a break.

i went to the gym to do chest today, and as i was warming up for flat bench with only 135 on the bar, my shoulders were already aching during the movement. saying as they seemed just as bad as the week prior if not worse, i realized they're not going to get better with what i'm doing.

anyway, i've been doing rotator cuff exercises, but they're not helping at all. some exercises even made it worse, despite me using light weights and not pushing it. i think they're just getting overused, so at this point i've decided to take the next few days off from lifting and start fresh again next week.

now, i'll be getting 4 days off, but not sure that'll be enough. i'm taking megadoses of vit c and glucosamine to try to help my shoulders, but like i've said, they don't seem to be getting much better.

i'm just wondering if during this time off if i should do any rotator cuff work or if i should just completely leave them alone for the next few days? not really sure what to do at this point, cause everything i've tried hasn't seemed to help.

[helium3]

they def need some time to heal id take a week off at least then gradually start doing some rotator cuff exercises for another week then try it out.its difficult to say without knowing exactly how you feel but they need to recover thats for sure,id hit all my other bodyparts as normal but avoid if poss those which directly affect the cuffs(stress wise).

i know thats not what you want to hear but you know your self they need to recover noone wants to stop training especially when the gains are good. good luck.

[Doc.Sust]

read my sticky on rehab of the shoulders,itwill help your cuff alot

[bda2424]

if its an incomplete tear........those require 2 to 3 weeks in a sling. Ice and ultrasound help.