Rotator Cuff Injuries in Joondalup and Perth's Northern Suburbs
Shoulder pain with lifting, reaching, or lying on your side — rotator cuff problems are among the most common shoulder injuries we treat, and they respond well to the right conservative care.
At Lakeside Chiropractic in Joondalup, we assess and treat rotator cuff problems regularly. The approach depends on the nature and severity of the injury, but most cases respond well to conservative care without needing surgery.
What Is the Rotator Cuff?
The rotator cuff is the group of four muscles and tendons that stabilise and move the shoulder joint.
The supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis hold the ball of the upper arm firmly in the shoulder socket and control rotation and elevation of the arm.
The supraspinatus, which runs along the top of the shoulder, is the most commonly injured of the four.
Problems range from mild tendon irritation, or tendinopathy, through to partial- or full-thickness tears. Bursitis often develops alongside rotator cuff tendinopathy and contributes to pain with movement.
Common Causes
Rotator cuff problems may develop suddenly or build gradually as repeated loading and tendon changes accumulate.
- Repetitive overhead activity at work or in sport
- Sudden loading or an awkward lift that strains the tendon
- A fall onto an outstretched arm or direct impact to the shoulder
- Age-related degeneration that develops without a specific incident
- Poor shoulder mechanics, including scapular instability or thoracic stiffness
Symptoms
- Pain with lifting the arm, particularly between shoulder and ear height
- Weakness when reaching forward or rotating the arm outward
- Aching at rest, often worse at night when lying on the affected shoulder
- A catching or pinching sensation with certain movements
- Difficulty with overhead tasks such as reaching into a cupboard or hanging washing
What the Research Shows
Exercise is a central part of conservative care, with manual therapy often providing additional benefit.
- The 2016 Cochrane review by Page et al. found that manual therapy combined with exercise improved pain and function for rotator cuff disease. Outcomes were broadly comparable to corticosteroid injection or surgery, with only mild, short-lived side effects.
- A 2015 systematic review and meta-analysis found meaningful pain reduction with manual therapy for rotator cuff tendinopathy, particularly when it was combined with exercise.
- The 2017 Hawk et al. review found low to moderate evidence supporting manual therapy for rotator cuff disorders, with physical therapy protocols helping across a range of presentations.
- The 2017 Steuri et al. meta-analysis found meaningful pain reduction with exercise, with manual therapy adding benefit particularly during the early stages of care.
How We Can Help
Treatment depends on which rotator cuff structure is involved, how irritable the tendon is, and what movements or mechanical factors are contributing.
We work directly into the specific rotator cuff muscle involved. This may be the supraspinatus for superior pain, infraspinatus or teres minor for posterior pain with external rotation, or subscapularis for anterior pain with internal-rotation weakness.
For tendons that have remained symptomatic for months, instrument-assisted treatment may be used along restricted tissue to support remodelling.
Dry needling may target the specific rotator cuff muscle involved to reduce secondary trigger-point pain and help comfortable muscle activation during rehabilitation.
Cold laser may be applied over the tendon footprint and bursa during an irritable stage when stronger loading is not yet appropriate.
Learn more about Cold Laser Therapy or visit Cold Laser Perth .
A scapular-facilitation taping technique may improve shoulder-blade upward rotation during arm elevation and reduce impingement load between appointments.
A progressive loading program may begin with comfortable isometric exercises before advancing to isotonic and functional loading. The program also considers the lower trapezius and serratus anterior, which control shoulder-blade positioning.
What to Expect
Most rotator cuff tendinopathy and mild to moderate partial tears respond well to conservative management over a number of weeks.
More significant tears may require specialist referral, and we will advise you honestly if the assessment suggests that may be appropriate.
Shoulder Pain Is Worth Properly Assessing
Lakeside Chiropractic is based in Joondalup and sees patients from Currambine, Woodvale, Kingsley, Duncraig, Wanneroo, Tapping, Carramar, Heathridge, Edgewater, Mullaloo, Padbury, Banksia Grove, Yanchep, Gnangara, and across Perth's northern suburbs.
Call us on 9300 0095 or visit lakesidechiro.com.au .
Disclaimer: This page provides general health information only and is not a substitute for professional assessment, diagnosis, or treatment. Results vary between individuals. Please consult a qualified health professional to discuss your individual circumstances.
References
- Page MJ, et al. Manual therapy and exercise for rotator cuff disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;6:CD012224. PMID 27283590
- Desjardins-Charbonneau A, et al. The efficacy of manual therapy for rotator cuff tendinopathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2015;45(5):330-350. PMID 25808530
- Hawk C, et al. Systematic review of nondrug, nonsurgical treatment of shoulder conditions. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2017;40(5):293-319. PMID 28554433
- Steuri R, et al. Effectiveness of conservative interventions including exercise, manual therapy and medical management in adults with shoulder impingement. Br J Sports Med. 2017;51(18):1340-1347. PMID 28630217
Location Details
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Sunday | 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Monday | 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
| Thursday | 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
| Friday | 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
| Saturday | 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
