I have a client who has a torn rotator cuff but does not need surgery. She did go to physical therapy.
Hi Heidi. I have written much on taking care of the shoulders – particularly since I too, as a former baseball pitcher and a current tournament tennis player have seen my share of shoulder problems. I do a fair amount of training with tennis players, throwers and other ‘overhead’ athletes on developing strong, healthy shoulders.
I think that you need to figure-out the extent of the tear from her physician, and any limitations that he/she and your client’s physical therapist recommend. Shoulder stabilization exercises, shoulder strengthening, and shoulder flexibility should all help your client in the long run, so long as they are performed progressively and with your client’s current limitations in mind. Once you’ve gotten some further understanding from your client’s health care providers about any limitations etc. I’d be happy to send you a couple of the articles I’ve written on shoulders (I wrote one for the National Strength and Conditioning Association, and another for Tennis Life Magazine).
Good luck!
LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com