Shoulder & Arm
Rotator Cuff Pain
Shoulder pain with overhead or reaching movements, usually from tendon overload.
About this condition
Rotator cuff problems range from tendon irritation through to tears. Even many tears respond well to structured strengthening without surgery.
Rehabilitation focuses on restoring the load capacity of the tendon and improving the control of the shoulder blade that supports it.
Common symptoms
- Pain reaching overhead or behind the back
- Pain lying on the affected side at night
- Weakness lifting the arm
- Catching or painful arc of movement
- Gradual onset over weeks
Frequent contributors
- Repetitive overhead work or sport
- Sudden increases in load
- Weak scapular control
- Age-related tendon change
How physiotherapy typically helps
Load management and activity modification
Progressive rotator cuff strengthening
Scapular control retraining
Manual therapy for stiffness
Graded return to overhead activity
This page is general information. Information on this website is general in nature and is not a substitute for individual assessment, diagnosis or treatment by a qualified healthcare professional.
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