Reaching overhead, sleeping on your side, or even just lifting a bag of groceries shouldn’t come with a sharp pinch in your shoulder. Rotator cuff and shoulder impingement issues are among the most common complaints we see from both athletes and people who simply spend a lot of time at a desk.
What’s Actually Going On
The rotator cuff is a group of small muscles and tendons that stabilize your shoulder joint. When they’re overworked, weak, or irritated — often from repetitive overhead movement, sudden changes in activity, or an awkward lift — they can contribute to pain and irritation around the shoulder.
Why Rest Alone May Not Be Enough
Resting a cranky shoulder often helps short-term, but if the underlying weakness or movement pattern isn’t addressed, pain may return when you go back to normal activity — especially overhead reaching, throwing, or lifting.
How Physiotherapy and Kinesiology Help
A physiotherapy assessment looks at which factors may be contributing to your symptoms and how your shoulder is moving, while kinesiology-based rehab builds a targeted strengthening plan for the muscles that support the joint. Together, this can help address pain, strength, and movement over time.
If shoulder pain is limiting how you move, reach, or sleep, our physiotherapy and kinesiology teams at Joayo Therapy in Brentwood, Burnaby can help you rebuild strength and get back to comfortable movement.
