LOTS OF TEXT ABOUT CUFF PAIN with hyperlinks to blogs

The NUMBER 1 reason for shoulder pain is Rotator Cuff Pain. This type of pain accounts for 70% of all shoulder problems. It still sometimes gets called by its old name, sub acromial impingement.  

Have you got it?

Typically you will feel pain in the top of your upper arm when you lift your arm above shoulder height.  It might also be painful to lie on it in bed.

Why have you got it?

Good question! There are usually a  number of factors contributing towards your pain developing. Every person has different factors which is why there is not a one size fits all rehab for the problem.

Usual contributors are poor posture, tightness in the back of the shoulder & chest and weakness in the rotator cuff muscles.  It IS NOT, as is commonly thought, generally due to bony spurs rubbing the tendon away.

What are the rotator cuff muscles?

The rotator cuff muscles are a group of four muscles, the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis and teres minor.  They help keep the ball centred on the socket, like holding a golf ball on a golf tee.

What if I have a tear? Do I need a scan?

Tears are common and are quite normal.  A couple of scientific studies have shown that a lot of us are walking around with pathology (a tear) but NO pain or loss of function so the questions begs – does it matter?!

In one study half of all the people scanned in their 50’s had a tear but no symptoms and it went up to two thirds of people over 60. So it just shows a scan and evidence of a tear is not everything.

Do I need surgery?

In the majority of cases the answer is no.  Well that’s the simple answer but let’s back that up.

There have been a few studies which have looked at surgery v rehab.  They found that the outcomes in the short and long term are the same but surgery is more expensive, more risky and means more pain and longer rehab.

Read Should I have shoulder surgery? What does the evidence say?  for more information on that one.

How do I get rid of it?

It is VERY important to get an accurate diagnosis by taking your history and completing some physical examination tests.  You usually do not require an ultrasound or MRI scan unless it appears that you have a more severe muscle injury – this is NOT usually the case though.

We will emphasize this point….GREAT rehab will resolve pretty much all cases. So get booked in, get GREAT rehab and get it sorted!

People in pain often leave it a long time before asking for help,

they don't know what is wrong, and worry about the future.

We specialise in modern physio to help people

live the life they want and keep doing the things they love.