What we treat Shoulder
Rotator Cuff Tear & Tendinitis
Rotator cuff tears and tendinitis occur when the group of four muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint become damaged or inflamed. Tendinitis refers to irritation and swelling of these tissues, often from repetitive overhead use. A tear involves a partial or complete disruption of the tendon fibers. These conditions can cause persistent pain, weakness, and limited mobility, making daily activities like reaching or lifting a challenge.
Anatomy of the Rotator Cuff
The rotator cuff is a group of four essential muscles and their tendons that act together to stabilize the shoulder and enable a wide range of motion. It is made up of your supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis, and teres minor. These muscles also work in synergy to move the shoulder into both external and internal rotation, which is crucial for reaching tasks.
The Clinical Assessment
In physical therapy, we diagnose rotator cuff tears and tendinitis through a thorough clinical examination. This involves assessing your range of motion, testing muscle strength, and performing special orthopedic tests to identify the specific tendon involved. We also look at your posture and movement patterns to understand the root cause of the injury, ensuring a precise and effective treatment plan.
Personalized Recovery Path
Manual therapy, dry needling, and sports programming. We focus on evidence-based techniques to reduce inflammation, restore mobility, and strengthen the rotator cuff for long-term health and performance.
Where can I start?
These foundational movements are designed to safely initiate the healing process, focusing on gentle mobility and activation without straining the rotator cuff.
Pendulums - Lean forward, supporting yourself with your good arm. Let the affected arm hang straight down. Gently swing the arm in small circles, then forward and back.
Shoulder Isometrics - Stand in a doorway or next to a wall. With your elbow bent to 90 degrees, push the back of your hand against the wall. Hold for 5-10 seconds without moving the joint.
Scap Squeezes - Sit or stand tall. Squeeze your shoulder blades together and slightly down towards your spine. Hold for 5 seconds. Repeat to improve postural control.
Tell us what you want to return to?
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. If it sounds like what you have, an evaluation is where we find out properly.