Rotator Cuff Related Pain

Author

Daniel the experienced physio in Mt Waverley

Daniel White-Alikakos

Director, Physiotherapist. Doctor of Physiotherapy B.Ex.Sc

Daniel White-Alikakos is the Director and Lead Physiotherapist at Leap Healthcare in Mount Waverley, where he helps clients recover from injury, improve movement, and return to the activities they love. Holding a Doctor of Physiotherapy and a Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science, Daniel specialises in sports injury rehabilitation, running assessments, and strength-based recovery programs. With over a decade of clinical experience and a background as an elite-level sprinter, he delivers evidence-based care tailored to athletes and active individuals of all levels.

Rotator cuff related shoulder pain is a common condition that includes issues such as subacromial pain, rotator cuff tendinopathy, and partial or full-thickness tears. Regardless of the specific diagnosis, the aim is to reduce pain and restore comfortable, functional movement.

What Causes Rotator Cuff Pain?

This condition typically develops from overuse, acute injury, or age-related changes in the shoulder. It may affect people involved in sports, manual work, or repetitive overhead activities.

Signs and Symptoms

Pain during shoulder movement, especially flexion and rotation
Discomfort around the front of the shoulder, sometimes extending down the arm
Reduced range of motion and strength
Pain when lifting, reaching or sleeping on the affected side

Although many patients share similar symptoms, a comprehensive assessment is crucial. This helps identify specific impairments such as joint stiffness, weakness, or nerve involvement.

How We Treat It

Phase 1: Reducing Pain

Treatment begins with pain relief and load management. This may involve:

Avoiding or modifying painful activities
Manual therapy to reduce tension and improve mobility
Targeted isometric exercises at low to moderate intensity

Early exercises are often focused on movements like abduction, flexion, or external rotation, based on what reduces symptoms.

Phase 2: Restoring Function

Once pain has settled, the focus shifts to active recovery through:

Tailored strengthening of the rotator cuff muscles
Symptom-guided movement retraining
Gradual reintroduction of functional and sport-specific activities

A Whole-Body Approach

The shoulder does not work in isolation. Many movements, such as throwing or reaching, rely on energy transfer through the whole body. That’s why we may include exercises for the legs, trunk, and opposite arm to support recovery.

Why Choose Leap Healthcare?

At Leap Healthcare in Mt. Waverley, we combine physiotherapy expertise with access to state-of-the-art gym equipment. Our team focuses on sports and athlete care, delivering evidence-based strategies to help you recover fully and return to what matters most.