Why Is A Towel Used For Rotator Cuff Rotation Exercises?

The muscles of your rotator cuff are used in a wide variety of activities, from sports to everyday tasks. Your rotator cuff muscles come into play every time you rotate your shoulders, and as a result are susceptible to injury. Your physical therapist may recommend using a towel as part of a rehabilitation program for your rotator cuff injury, both for your safety and to help increase the effectiveness of the program.

Anatomy

Your rotator cuff is a group of muscles which work together in order to provide stability and help control the rotation of your shoulder. The muscles of the rotator cuff include the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor and the subscapularis. The rotator cuff is typically involved in functions such as baseball pitching, cricket, swimming and kayaking. Activities such as these can lead to excessive stress on the rotator cuff, which can lead to tears or tendinitis.

Towel Exercising

Many physician prescribe exercises in order to help strengthen the rotator cuff following injury. Exercise can help to strengthen the muscles of your rotator cuff without causing any pain. A towel can be used for multiple reasons as you stretch your rotator cuff. Placing a towel over your affected rotator cuff can help to reduce the risk of over-stretching sore muscles, for example; a towel can also be used to help apply resistance and increase the effectiveness of your rotator cuff exercises. You may also choose to place a rolled towel underneath your elbow when performing lying exercises, as a rolled towel helps to position the shoulder in a neutral position. Regardless of how you use your towel during rotator cuff exercises, the towel helps to position the muscles of your rotator cuff close together so that they are stabilized and work as a unit.

Towel Stretch for the Rotator Cuff

This stretch can help to strengthen the muscles in both of your rotator cuffs simultaneously. Stand up straight with a rolled towel -- long ways -- in one hand. Raise this hand up so that your elbow is near your ear. Bend your elbow backwards so that the towel is hanging behind your back. Grab the towel with your opposite hand. Feel a stretch in both of your shoulder muscles. Hold this position for a count of 20 seconds. Relax and repeat. Complete one set of 20 repetitions, alternating arms.

Considerations

When using a towel for rotator cuff stretches, roll the towel long-ways. In addition, make sure your towel is completely dry before beginning exercises to prevent the towel from slipping out of your hand and risking further pain or injury to your rotator cuff. If you sweat a lot and use a towel to wipe perspiration as you exercise, use two separate towels and use one strictly for shoulder stretching.