Shoulder Strong: How Physiotherapy Can Help You Conquer Rotator Cuff Pain

You don’t have to put up with shoulder pain — especially not as you age.

Back pain and neck pain are at the top of the leaderboard when it comes to the conditions I treat. But sitting just behind them, shoulder pain claims a strong third. It’s no surprise — the shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body, and with that freedom of movement comes a need for stability and coordination.

One key player in shoulder health? The rotator cuff — a team of four muscles that connect your shoulder blade to your upper arm. Together, they fine-tune every arm movement you make, controlling the angle of rotation and stabilising the joint through lifting, reaching, twisting and throwing.

But when things go wrong — especially with posture or age-related changes — this area can become painful, stiff, and frustratingly limited.

🎯 So, what causes rotator cuff pain?

Rotator cuff injuries are incredibly common.

📊 Rotator Cuff Injury & Ageing: The Facts

1. Prevalence Increases With Age:

   • Over age 60: Around 30% of individuals have some degree of rotator cuff tear, even if they’re not symptomatic.
     (Source: Milgrom et al., 1995; Yamamoto et al., 2010)

   • Over age 70: This rises to over 50%.

   • Over age 80: Some studies show up to 80% of people have partial or full-thickness rotator cuff tears.

2. Not All Tears Cause Pain:

   • Many degenerative tears are asymptomatic, particularly in older adults.

   • One study (Yamamoto et al., 2010) found that about 65% of people with tears had no shoulder pain, suggesting tears don’t always equal dysfunction.

3. Why Does Risk Increase with Age?

   • Tissue quality declines — tendons become less elastic and more prone to micro-tears.

   • Reduced blood supply to the tendon with ageing slows healing.

   • Postural changes (forward head, kyphosis) alter mechanics, increasing wear on tendons.

   • Repetitive use and cumulative load over the years play a role.

4. Tears Are Often Progressive:

   • A small partial tear in your 50s can become a full-thickness tear in your 60s or 70s if left untreated or if the biomechanics aren't addressed. Think of your shoulder like the wheel alignment on a car. If the joint isn’t tracking correctly — if your upper back is rounded, your shoulder sits forward, or your posture is skewed — the tendons of the rotator cuff can start to experience friction. Over time, this irritation turns into inflammation, pain, or even a tear.

🙌 Here’s the good news

Shoulder issues are very treatable, and you don’t need to be an elite athlete to benefit from physio. With a few lifestyle tweaks, improved awareness of your posture, and targeted hands-on care, you can feel lasting relief.

My approach is practical, gentle, and focused on long-term results:

• Manual therapy to reduce pain and improve joint alignment

• Dynamic Tape to support and re-educate muscles in real time (look out for it around the village – it’s waterproof and can stay on for up to a week!)

• Personalised rehab exercises to strengthen and stabilise

• Postural coaching so your movement habits help — not hinder — recovery

💡 Shoulder mechanics are complex, but they don’t have to be confusing

I’ll break it down for you — what’s working, what isn’t, and how to fix it. And once the pain settles, you’ll be equipped with the tools and know-how to stay on track.

Whether you're dealing with a new niggle or an old injury that just won’t shift, I’m here to help you get strong, confident, and back to doing the things you love — pain-free.

Your shoulders are made to move. Let’s keep them that way.

Book a session or reach out if your shoulder needs some expert support. You don’t have to live with rotator cuff pain — and you’re not too old to fix it.

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#TheEnableMovement #LisaKerryPhysio #ShoulderStrong #RotatorCuffRelief #ShoulderMobility #PostureMatters #PhysiotherapyThatWorks #InjuryPrevention #MovementConfidence #AgeWell #ModernPhysio #EmpoweredRecovery