Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy: Why Your Shoulder Still Hurts — and What You Can Do About It

Shoulder pain is one of the most common reasons people walk through our doors here at Athos Physio in Manchester — and a large number of those cases turn out to be rotator cuff tendinopathy.

It’s one of those conditions that can feel minor at first, then gradually wear you down. What starts as a small pinch lifting your arm can end up affecting your workouts, your sleep, and even everyday things like getting dressed or driving.

In this post, we’ll break down:

• What rotator cuff tendinopathy actually is

• Why it keeps hanging around

• How physiotherapy can make a real difference

• What rehab typically looks like here at our Manchester clinic

So, What Is Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy?

Your rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and their tendons that keep your shoulder joint stable and help you move your arm. The supraspinatus tendon — which helps lift your arm to the side — is the one most often affected.

Rotator cuff tendinopathy happens when one or more of these tendons becomes irritated or overloaded. That could be from repetitive movement (like in sports or physical work), poor posture, or simply doing too much too soon at the gym.

What it usually feels like:

• A dull ache or “nagging” pain in the shoulder

• Pain lifting your arm, especially overhead or to the side

• Weakness or discomfort doing push/pull movements

• Trouble lying on that side at night

It doesn’t always come from one big injury — it often builds up gradually.

Why Your Shoulder Pain Isn’t Going Away

By the time people come to see us for physiotherapy in Manchester, many have already tried rest, massage, and YouTube stretches… with limited success. So why hasn’t it cleared up?

Here’s the key:

Tendons don’t just need rest. They need the right kind of loading.

Often the issue is:

• Weak or underactive rotator cuff muscles

• Poor movement in the shoulder blade or upper back

• Doing too much, too fast — or not enough load at all

• Relying on passive treatments (like massage) without active rehab

Basically, the shoulder isn’t getting what it needs to fully recover and tolerate your daily activities again.

How Physiotherapy Helps (and What We Do Differently at Athos Physio Manchester)

The good news? Rotator cuff tendinopathy responds really well to the right kind of rehab. At Athos Physio, our approach is always based on your specific symptoms, lifestyle, and goals.

Here’s what that typically includes:

1. Proper Assessment

We’ll look at your shoulder mobility, strength, posture, and how your neck and upper back are contributing to the issue.

2. Hands-On Treatment (If Needed)

If you’re in pain or have restricted movement, we might use manual therapy or dry needling to help get things moving again — but we’ll always explain why we’re doing it.

3. Targeted Exercise Rehab

This is the core of your recovery. We’ll start with the right kind of strengthening and gradually build back your shoulder’s tolerance to load — whether you’re aiming to lift weights, swim, or just sleep pain-free.

4. Movement Coaching

We’ll teach you how to move more efficiently, avoid overloading the wrong muscles, and build better shoulder control for the long term.

5. Real-World Advice

You’ll leave with clear guidance — not just exercises, but also advice around training, work demands, and avoiding flare-ups.

What to Expect From Rehab

Rotator cuff recovery takes time, especially if it’s been around for a while. Most people we work with at our Manchester clinic start seeing real changes within 4–6 weeks, and keep building from there.

Consistency is key — but the right guidance makes all the difference.

Final Thoughts

If your shoulder pain has been dragging on and stopping you from doing what you love, it’s worth getting it looked at properly. The sooner you start targeted rehab, the faster and more complete your recovery will be.

At Athos Physio in Manchester, we help people get back to work, sport, and daily life pain-free — with personalised physiotherapy that actually works.

👋 Ready to take the first step?

👉 Book your initial assessment online here

We’d love to help you get back on track.