Why Your Shoulder Pain Could Be a Rotator Cuff Tear (and What to Do)

Spot the signs early and know when to seek physio support.

Shoulder Pain That Just Won’t Go Away? Don’t Ignore It.

It starts off small — maybe a pinch when lifting, or a dull ache after training. Over time, it becomes harder to sleep, reach overhead, or push through workouts.

If this sounds familiar, you could be dealing with a rotator cuff tear — one of the most common shoulder injuries seen in both active adults and athletes. And while it’s often brushed off as “tightness” or overuse, early diagnosis and physio-led rehab are critical to prevent long-term pain, weakness, and re-injury.

At Clinical Physio Solutions, our rotator cuff rehab physios in Burwood, Eastgardens, and Top Ryde work with people every day who thought shoulder pain was just part of getting older or training harder. It’s not — and this blog will show you what to watch for and how to treat it right.

What Exactly Is a Rotator Cuff Tear?

Your rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons that stabilise the shoulder joint and control movement. When one or more of these tendons become irritated, frayed, or torn, it can cause:

Deep, aching shoulder pain

Sharp pain with lifting, reaching, or sleeping on the affected side

Weakness when pushing, pulling, or lifting

Clicking or catching when moving the arm

Reduced range of motion — especially overhead

Rotator cuff injuries can be acute (from trauma or a fall) or degenerative (from repetitive strain or poor biomechanics).

They’re extremely common in:

Gym users (especially overhead lifters)

Racquet sport athletes

Swimmers

Tradies

Desk workers with poor posture

Over-40s returning to sport or movement without proper prep

Tear or Tendinopathy? Partial or Complete?

The rotator cuff can be injured in different ways:

Injury Type	Description
Tendinopathy	Tendon irritation or degeneration without tearing
Partial Tear	Some tendon fibres are torn — usually causes weakness and sharp pain
Full Tear	Complete rupture of the tendon — often needs imaging and surgical referral

⚠️ You don’t need a full tear to have major symptoms — even partial tears or tendinopathies can cause serious dysfunction if not treated early.

Why Physio Is the First Line of Treatment

Not all cuff tears need surgery — and even those that do will still require extensive physio post-op. For most people, early conservative treatment is the gold standard.

At CPS, we guide clients through a full-spectrum recovery — from pain management to full shoulder control. Here’s how:

How Physio Treats Rotator Cuff Injuries

🩺 1. Clinical Assessment

We test shoulder mechanics, range, strength, posture, and loading tolerance. If needed, we’ll refer for an ultrasound or MRI to confirm the diagnosis — especially if a tear is suspected.

🔧 2. Pain Reduction and Load Modification

Soft tissue therapy around the deltoid, upper traps, and pecs

Joint mobilisation for the shoulder and thoracic spine

Education on activity modification — not just resting or avoiding movement

Dry needling or taping as needed

🏋️ 3. Strength & Control Rehab

The real recovery starts here — building long-term resilience and function:

Isolated rotator cuff loading (e.g. external rotation with control)

Scapular stability work

Posture reconditioning and shoulder blade mechanics

Pilates-based shoulder control for targeted, low-load rehab

Progression to resistance training and overhead movements

🏃 4. Return to Sport or Work Readiness

We finish rehab with drills that mirror your real-life demands — whether you’re back on the tools, in the gym, or on the court.

Common Mistakes That Delay Recovery

❌ Relying on rest alone
❌ Pushing through gym or sport too early
❌ Not strengthening the rotator cuff and scapular stabilisers
❌ Poor posture mechanics never addressed
❌ Skipping full movement reconditioning

We help you avoid every one of these — with a high-performing physio program designed for results.

Who Should Get Their Shoulder Checked?

If you’re experiencing any of these, it’s time to book in:

Ongoing shoulder pain with no clear cause

Pain when reaching, lifting, or sleeping

Weakness or stiffness that’s getting worse

Recent trauma, fall, or lifting injury

A previous shoulder injury that never fully resolved

If you’ve searched “shoulder physio Burwood” or “rotator cuff pain treatment near me” — you’re already on the right path.

Why Sydney Athletes Trust CPS for Shoulder Rehab

✔️ Expert physios trained in sports injury and tendon rehab
✔️ Clinical Pilates integration for precision control
✔️ Evidence-based progress tracking
✔️ Trusted by GPs, surgeons, and coaches across Sydney
✔️ Locations in Burwood, Eastgardens, Top Ryde, and Newington