When you've injured your rotator cuff muscles, you can apply heat to the injured area for instant relief. If there is swelling, use an ice pack. If there is sign of swelling, you can take medicine such as ibuprofen or naproxen to relief the pain and inflammation.

When someone injured his rotor cuff, follow the R.I.C.E approach. R.I.C.E is an acronym for Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. A person who has rotator cuff injury should Rest and refrain from anymore physical movement. Next, Ice should be used and apply Compression on the injured area. Finally, the shoulder should be Elevated to relieve the pain.

Orthopedic surgeons will always suggest using cold compressions on injured shoulder as it helps in recovering of a muscle tear. Cold compression simply means to expose the effected part to ice or cold packs before sleeping for around twenty minutes. This will reduce pain and swelling.

According to physical therapist, certain sleeping positions can also help the patient to get relief from pain. Certain rotor exercises like internal and external rotations can help the situation to improve. If the pain does not cease in three days or you are not feeling any improvement on your shoulder, you have to visit the doctor immediately. If there are still some restriction on your movement in both your shoulders (that is injured and non -injured) then you must consult your doctor also because by then your injury is serious.

To consult a doctor you must know the entire history of the injury as this will help him to give you the treatment properly. Sometimes steroids in the form of injection are also given to the patient.

In spite of the medicines and therapies, if the injured rotor cuff is unable to recover, then you have to undergo surgery. After the surgery, you will need more care for a certain time period so that the shoulder joint will start to work properly.