Rotator Cuff Pain? It Might Not Be What You Think

Why your shoulder hurts — and what to do if rest, stretching, or even physical therapy hasn’t worked.

You’ve been told it’s your rotator cuff… but is that really the problem?

Maybe it aches when you reach overhead. Maybe you get sharp pain when lifting at the gym. Maybe it’s just been tight and nagging for months.

If you’ve been stretching, resting, or even getting adjustments and still dealing with shoulder pain — here’s the truth:

Rotator cuff pain isn’t always about the rotator cuff.

At Chippewa Valley Movement, we help active adults across the Chippewa Valley recover from shoulder pain by finding and fixing the real cause — not just chasing symptoms.

Let’s break it down.

What Is the Rotator Cuff, Really?

Your rotator cuff is made up of four small muscles that stabilize the ball-and-socket joint of your shoulder. Its job is to keep your shoulder joint centered and controlled during movement.

But if the rest of your body isn’t working well — especially your shoulder blade, spine, or core — your rotator cuff ends up doing too much.

That’s when pain, tightness, and even tears show up.

3 Reasons Rotator Cuff Pain Happens (That Have Nothing to Do with the Muscle Itself)

1. Poor Scapular Control

Your shoulder blade is your rotator cuff’s foundation.If it doesn’t move well, your cuff muscles have to compensate — leading to overload and irritation.

✅ What to do: Train scapular control with wall slides, serratus activation, and proper posture work.

2. Lack of Thoracic Spine Mobility

If your upper back is stiff (especially from desk work), your shoulder mechanics fall apart.You’ll end up using your rotator cuff to make up for the mobility you’re missing elsewhere.

✅ What to do: Improve thoracic extension and rotation through mobility drills and breathwork.

3. Core Instability and Breathing Dysfunction

Your shoulder doesn’t work in isolation.If your core and trunk aren’t stable, your shoulder won’t be either — and your rotator cuff will tighten up to create fake stability.

✅ What to do: Train core control, intra-abdominal pressure, and stability-based movements.

So... Do You Need to Stretch or Rest It?

Probably not.

Rotator cuff pain is often a coordination and stability issue, not a flexibility one.And rest only works if you’re also fixing the reason the pain started in the first place.

Instead of shutting things down, focus on:

• Restoring healthy movement patterns

• Building stability from your shoulder blade and core

• Strengthening the supporting muscles around the joint

Shoulder Pain That's Not Getting Better? Let's Fix That.

At Chippewa Valley Movement, we take a full-body approach to shoulder pain.We assess your movement, strength, breathing, and control to build a personalized rehab plan that actually works.

If you're in Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls, Altoona, or anywhere in the Chippewa Valley and tired of short-term fixes, let’s change the game.

👉 Click here to request your Free Discovery Visit. We'll figure out what’s really causing your pain — and help you move with strength and confidence again.

Owner Dr. Abe Skaw DC