Rotator Cuff Injury Treatment

Rotator Cuff Pain & Shoulder Injury Treatment in Nevada City

If you're feeling a deep ache in your shoulder, struggling to lift your arm, or waking up at night due to discomfort—there’s a good chance your rotator cuff is involved. The rotator cuff is one of the most commonly injured parts of the shoulder and often the root cause of many nagging, hard-to-pinpoint shoulder issues. But the good news? With the right care, many rotator cuff injuries can be treated without surgery.

What Is the Rotator Cuff, and Why Does It Hurt?

The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles that stabilize and move your shoulder joint:

• Supraspinatus

• Infraspinatus

• Teres Minor

• Subscapularis

Together, these muscles help lift and rotate your arm while keeping the “golf ball” of your upper arm bone centered on the “tee” of your shoulder blade. Injury occurs when one or more of these muscles or their tendons become strained, torn, or inflamed.

Symptoms of a Rotator Cuff Injury

You may be experiencing rotator cuff pain if you notice:

• Deep, dull pain in your shoulder

• Pain or weakness when raising your arm overhead or to the side

• Discomfort when reaching behind your back

• Pain that disrupts your sleep—especially when lying on the affected side

Rotator cuff injuries can result from sudden trauma (like falling on an outstretched hand) or repetitive overuse, especially in people over age 40.

🧠 Note: Not all shoulder pain is due to a rotator cuff injury. Similar symptoms can come from shoulder impingement, biceps tendinitis, labral tears, or arthritis. A thorough exam by a musculoskeletal specialist is essential for an accurate diagnosis.

Can a Rotator Cuff Heal Without Surgery?

Yes—many rotator cuff injuries heal completely with conservative treatment, especially partial tears or inflammation (tendinopathy). At Radius, our care includes:

• Manual therapy to relieve tightness and improve joint motion

• Rehabilitative exercise to gradually rebuild strength and range of motion

• Customized home plans so you can continue healing outside of the clinic

Our approach is backed by evidence and designed to help you regain full function—without invasive procedures.

Preventing Rotator Cuff Injuries

Preventing shoulder injury comes down to load management: ensuring your muscles are strong and mobile enough to handle the demands you place on them.

Here’s what we recommend:

• Incorporate shoulder-specific strengthening and mobility exercises into your workouts

• Use proper technique when lifting, throwing, or performing repetitive tasks

• Avoid sudden jumps in training volume (especially overhead or resistance training)

💪 Try adding these rehab-focused movements into your weekly routine:

• Banded External Rotations

• Banded Internal Rotations

• Bird Dogs

How Radius Physical + Sports Rehab Can Help

If you’re experiencing shoulder pain or think you may have injured your rotator cuff, our team of chiropractors and rehab specialists in Nevada City and Grass Valley can help. We’ll assess your condition, rule out other causes, and design a treatment plan that’s customized to your goals and lifestyle.

We proudly serve patients from Nevada County, Placer County, and surrounding regions. Whether you’re an athlete, weekend warrior, or just trying to sleep without pain, we’re here to help you move better and live pain-free.

📞 Book your appointment today or call/text our clinic at (530) 955-0065 to speak with our team directly.