Shoulder pain that won’t go away? It could be your rotator cuff.
Learn how our experienced chiropractors in Burswood help diagnose and treat this common injury, so you can move better, sleep easier, and get back to doing what you love.
Table of Contents
Introduction
While Chiropractors are well-known for managing and treating spinal conditions, we also frequently help people presenting with shoulder pain or discomfort.
Suppose you’ve ever had a shoulder injury, whether through sport, awkward, or repetitive shoulder movements. In that case, you’ve likely experienced a rotator cuff problem, as it’s the most common cause of shoulder pain. It’s one of the most common shoulder concerns we help with at Burswood Health, proudly serving our local community with over 60 years of trusted chiropractic care.
What’s the Rotator Cuff?
The rotator cuff is a group of four small muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint. It works to support the shoulder and allow smooth movement of the arm.
The rotator cuff is made up of the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis muscles and tendons and activates when lifting, reaching, throwing, or rotating the arm.
Why does it get injured?
Rotator cuff injuries can come from a multitude of different causes, but the most common are either from acute injury (something happened to cause the symptoms), or degenerative (a longstanding issue, where the tendon becomes weakened).
These injuries usually fall into a few categories/causes:
- Tendinopathy – tendon aggravation, e.g. from repetitive lifting overhead, sports incidents, or overuse.
- Tears – partial or full tears, often from a traumatic incident or wear over time.
- Impingement – when the rotator cuff tendons get pinched during shoulder movement.
- Bursitis – inflammation of the fluid-filled sac near the rotator cuff.
What are the symptoms?
- Sharp pain when lifting or reaching (can also be pinchy or achy in nature)
- Weakness in the shoulder or arm
- Pain at night or when lying on the shoulder
- Clicking in or around the shoulder
- Limited movement of the shoulder and arm
If you’re experiencing these symptoms, it’s important to have your shoulder professionally assessed to prevent the issue from worsening. Most rotator cuff injuries do not fully resolve without appropriate care or intervention.
While mild cases may improve with rest, ongoing pain, weakness, or restricted movement often require focused treatment and rehabilitation to avoid persistent problems. If you recognise any of the above signs, our experienced chiropractors in Burswood are here to evaluate your shoulder and recommend an effective, personalised treatment plan.
How can a Chiropractor help?
Chiropractors are trained to assess, diagnose, and manage neuro-musculoskeletal conditions, which include the shoulder joint and rotator cuff.
If you’re looking for a Chiropractor in Burswood, our team at Burswood Health Professionals regularly helps people manage and recover from shoulder injuries, including those involving the rotator cuff. Whether it's from repetitive strain, posture, or a sudden injury, chiropractic care can play a vital role in helping your shoulder function and feel better.
How can we help you?
At Burswood Health Professionals, we begin with a detailed assessment to understand the root cause of your pain. From there, we create a tailored plan that may include joint mobilisation and manipulation, dry needling, soft tissue release, laser therapy, or guided rehab exercises.
Rotator cuff injuries are common and painful, but they don’t have to stop you from doing what you love. Our team of experienced Chiropractors in Burswood offers a natural and effective approach to managing shoulder injuries in addition to spinal conditions.
If you're dealing with shoulder discomfort or suspect a rotator cuff issue, book a 15-minute complimentary health consultation with us by clicking the button below.
References:
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2). Fitzpatrick, L. A., Atinga, A., White, L., Henry, P. D., & Probyn, L. (2022, October).
Rotator cuff injury and repair. In Seminars in musculoskeletal radiology (Vol. 26, No. 05,
- 585-596). Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc..
3). Weber, S., & Chahal, J. (2020). Management of rotator cuff injuries. JAAOS-Journal of
the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 28(5), e193-e201.
