Physiotherapists in Barry treat many different conditions including the issues profiled below.

The Rotator Cuff

The rotator cuff muscles of the shoulder function to stabilise the large humeral head on the relatively small shoulder socket or glenoid cavity. The origin of the rotator cuff muscles is the large flat areas of the scapula or shoulder blade, but for the muscles to be able exert their forces the shoulder blade must itself be stabilised. The shoulder blade floats over the thoracic rib cage and is attached by various muscles to the trunk, the rhomboids, trapezius and serratus anterior. If there is a dysfunction in these muscle groups the stability of the scapula will be compromised, making it difficult or impossible for the rotator cuff group to do their work effectively.

The rotator cuff muscle all originate medially to the shoulder, i.e. further in towards the middle of the body. They pass outwards towards the head of the humerus, becoming tendons close to the shoulder itself and then inserting into the greater tuberosity, a bony protrusion on the outside of the head of the humerus. The primary pull of the rotator cuff muscles is in a directly inwardly direction, pulling the humeral head firmly against the glenoid. This counteracts the tendency of the deltoid muscle to pull the humeral head upwards.

Fitness

Fitness means different things depending on what we define as the characteristics of being fit, and typically includes a number of physical states and abilities. Aerobic fitness is the ability to maintain an activity (such as jogging) for twenty minutes or more whilst keeping one.s heart rate between 60 and 80% of maximum. We have to be aerobically fit to perform repetitive work moving our bodies about such as in running, swimming or cycling and these activities, along with fast walking, can be used to increase fitness. Muscular fitness is the ability to muscle to exert force against resistance and divides into the abilities of strength and endurance.

Muscular fitness can be trained against resistance in the gym and this kind of training needs to be undertaken to some degree even by those who almost exclusively wish to be fitter in the aerobic sense. It can be argued that two more things need to be added to make ultimate fitness in a person, stretching and core stability. Stretching can be performed after an activity to maintain muscle length but should be avoided before as it may increase the likelihood of injury. Evidence for stretching being therapeutically useful is not very good.