Shoulder

Staying healthy and “off profile” is key for optimal military performance. Injury prevention should be as much a part of your workout routine as the workout itself. Take time for some simple preventive exercises now, and you can save yourself a lot of trouble and pain down the road. Read our tactics for preventing common sports and military injuries.

Staying in the physical condition you need for demanding duties and missions means that you are at risk for specific types of injuries, and rotator cuff injuries are common among service members. The rotator cuff is actually a group of muscles key to shoulder movement, including the ability to perform overhead activities. For those who are preparing for the CFT, this includes performing the Ammo Lift.

Warning signs of a shoulder injury can include not only pain and abnormal sounds during shoulder movement but also a decrease in strength and mobility/motion. What can you do about it? First, check with your healthcare provider to make sure that your injury does not require medical treatment. Then:

➔ Rest your injured shoulder! It is important to allow adequate time for healing.

➔ Use the RICE and ISE methods.

➔ Strengthen the muscles that control shoulder movement.

➔ Make sure that you have adequate flexibility of the rotator cuff muscles.

Of course, it’s always better to prevent injuries in the first place. To help reduce your risk of rotator cuff injury, it’s important to develop the strength and flexibility of the related muscles. For specific information on rotator-cuff exercises and self-care, check out these suggestions from MedLine Plus (a service of the National Institutes of Health) and this conditioning program from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

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