The Book

The 7-Minute Rotator Cuff Solution was written in 1991 by two well-qualified authors, Joseph Horrigan and Jerry Robinson. The subtitle accurately describes the information provided in the book as being “A Complete Program to Prevent and Rehabilitate Rotator Cuff Injuries”. When written, this book reflected the most current and scientific thinking on the prevention of rotator cuff injuries rather than providing the exercises that had been standard practice up to the time of this book’s publication. The majority of information contained in this book, although 17 years old, continues to be the gold-standard for preventing and recovering from a rotator cuff injury.

The 7-Minute Rotator Cuff Solution is a large-format, 140 page book divided into two parts. The first part covers the anatomy and function of the rotator cuff and describes why it is at risk for certain types of injuries. The second part covers “The Program”. Both stretching and strengthening exercises are illustrated. A section on “exercises to modify or avoid” describes commonly performed gym activities that actually promote injury and provides substitutions that are healthier for the shoulder.

According to the authors, the most important thing to know about rotator cuff injuries is that dysfunctional shoulder biomechanics is the cause of the symptoms. This dysfunction is caused by a muscle imbalance between the internal and external rotators, tight rotators, and inflamed (possibly fibrotic) rotator cuff muscles. Treating the symptoms (pain and inflammation) alone is only a temporary fix. A complete rehabilitation program needs to strengthen the external rotators, stretch the internal rotators and eliminate the training (or positional) error that promoted the initial inflammation.

The Authors

Joseph Horrigan, DC, is the President of Horrigan Sports Chiropractic and Soft Tissue Center in Marina Del Rey, California, a facility dedicated to chiropractic sports medicine and rehabilitation as well sports science research. He has served on multiple professional chiropractic committees and provides services to elite athletes from various fields including hockey and weightlifting. He teaches post-graduate courses, has published articles in professional and sports-related journals, has served as a medical consultant for popular films, and was awarded the 2001 Sports Chiropractor of the Year.

Jerry Robinson founded Health For Life, a company committed to publishing sound, scientifically based information on all aspects of fitness and conditioning. Health For Life is recognized for providing its readers with the accurate and current information on physical conditioning programs.

The Review

The 7-Minute Rotator Cuff Solution has been used as a text at the university level. Although considered to be a teaching manual, the book was written for those with rotator cuff injuries and athletes. An appendix provides a more technical look at the rotator cuff for health care professionals or for those who would like a more in depth look at the pathology of the rotator cuff. The language is not medical but is simple to understand and quick reading. The illustrations are numerous and well drawn and complement written information. More importantly, they provide a quick reference to the proper and improper way methods of performing exercises.

This book is a must-have for anyone who is at risk for or who is developing a rotator cuff injury. Weight-training, throwing sports, contact sports (such as martial arts), racquet sports and swimming can all potentially cause rotator cuff injuries. Training improperly for sports can also increase the risk of injury. Job activity requiring over the head lifting or positioning of the arms (such as in construction or painting), carrying heavy objects, or throwing can create shoulder pain. And even “computer athletes” are at high risk because of the frequent rounded shoulder and forward head positioning that occurs from sitting at a desk or in front of the keyboard.

Although the feel of the book is predominantly sports-related, anyone with shoulder pain can benefit from the information provided.

A Word of Warning

The book The 7-Minute Rotator Cuff Solution was out of print for over five years which drove the price up tremendously. It has recently been placed back in print. Even so, I found a wide range in prices quoted on-line from $29.95 to $159.95. Taking a few minutes to search for the lowest price may be beneficial.

Related Article

The Rotator Cuff - How to Avoid Shoulder Pain

The 7-Minute Rotator Cuff Solution currently available through dealers on Amazon.com

Marji Hajic is an Occupational Therapist and a Certified Hand Therapist practicing in Santa Barbara, California. For more information on hand and upper extremity injuries, prevention and recovery, visit Hand Health Resources.