ROTATOR CUFF INJURIES
WHAT IS IT?
The rotator cuff is a group of four muscleS, the supraspinatus, subscapularis, infraspinatus, and teres minor, that work together to control rotation and stability of the shoulder joint. When one or more of these muscles becomes strained or torn, it affects how the entire shoulder moves and loads. The supraspinatus is the most commonly injured of the four, but rotator cuff injuries are rarely a one muscle problem. Through a movement exam we can identify which muscles are most involved and build a plan around that without needing to start with imaging.
common symptoms and signs
pain with reaching overhead or behind your back
weakness in the shoulder with lifting or rotating the arm
a dull ache deep in the shoulder that gets worse with activity
pain that disrupts sleep, especially lying on the affected side
loss of range of motion or stiffness in the shoulder
a feeling of weakness or giving out when using the arm
pain that gets worse with pressing or throwing movements
Who is a good fit?
you're someone who wants to understand what's going on in your body and actually do something about it. We work best with people who are ready to be an active part of their recovery, not just lie on a table and hope for the best.
why does this happen?
Rotator cuff injuries show up in overhead athletes like swimmers, baseball and softball players, and volleyball players, but also in weightlifters, construction workers, and anyone doing repetitive shoulder loading over time. Acute tears can happen from a single event like a fall or a heavy lift gone wrong, but most rotator cuff injuries build gradually from overuse and muscle imbalances that were never addressed. Age is also a factor — the tendons become more vulnerable with time, which is why this is one of the most common shoulder issues in people over 40.
how we treat it
We start with a movement exam to identify which of the four muscles are most involved and what the shoulder can currently tolerate. From there treatment includes cupping, IASTM, and dry needling to address the affected muscles directly and reduce the compensation patterns that have built up over time. The neck and mid-back are a big part of this too. When the shoulder is injured those areas almost always start compensating, creating a secondary layer of tension that slows recovery down if it goes unaddressed.
Then we progressively load the rotator cuff through a structured strengthening program that respects where you are in the healing process. For partial tears and strains this is often enough to get full function back without surgery. For more significant tears we work alongside your medical team as part of pre and post surgical rehab.
Ready to get back to moving?
Book an appointment and we'll figure out what's going on and how to fix it.