Is Your Shoulder Pain a Rotator Cuff Tear? How to Tell & What to Do If It Is. 

Excellent information-not too technical, helps to prevent unnecessary worry and provides tools to help without having to dive into the all too confusing and overwhelming world of medical care. You two are awesome!

Thank you so much for the video!! I'm a FNP student and MSK injuries are my weakness and this video helped so much thank you :)

Thank you for this excellent and clear explanation.

Thank you for the easy to understand and follow information! I will try the exercises and stretches you suggest in this and your other shoulder impingement videos and see what happens before i go pay for an MRI.

Loved listing to you guys! I'm learning about the rotator cuff in my yoga training, so this was very informative!

Thanks guys...I've injured both shoulders...one just a few weeks ago and one about a year ago. I know the 1st was Rotator and I believe the most recent was as well. Very informative video! Lots of info here to get healthy again...Thanks!

Jip!. Got it. Test 2 & 4 hurts. Thank you for advice. Will start exercises and stop working it any more than necessary.

Thanks! Love learning everything I can to help ppl with their pain. LMT in Georgia.. Great video for learning!

Thank you huge help to my paranoia that it's not more serious. Could not get appointment with my Gp today so this is reassuring. Hopefully heal quickly.

I just love your videos, you two are great. I do follow your advice.

Excellent video gentleman ...learned alot and you've helped my shoulder ! Thankyou

Wow thank you both so much for this. Saved me a trip to the doctor! Relieved it's not a tear and what seems to be just a pulled muscle. Thanks Bob and Brad!

When I did this it totally cracked were it was hurting I’m already feeling relief thanks guys

Thank god , it's not a tear, I am so happy , thank you guys , I am so relaxed

Thank you. My shoulder has been bad for months. I have done nothing, but try to act like nothing is wrong, hoping it will get better. I have watch your videos before and every one of them has helped me. I'm positive this will ❤️

Excellent Demonstration teaching 👏👏

thank you for the video. very helpful .

Very well explained! Thank you!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!!! This is the video that saved me!! I was trying to pull a very heavy lawn tractor out of deep mud and I pulled my arm so hard I couldn't move it and the pain was on a scale of 10 making it impossible for me to sleep at night. I had no insurance and did not want to go see a doctor and have to go in an MRI which I was terrified of. Also during Covid, I did not want to go into a hospital if I didn't have to and it felt like I would probably need surgery. I suffered like this for 2 weeks. Then I started watching some of your videos. But this is the video that did it for me. I started pulling my shoulder blades together many times throughout the day. The same day I did those, the first day I did those, I was at the grocery store at night and found accidentally, I went to reach for something and I could! That was my moment I could not believe after two weeks of suffering. Doing that one exercise many times throughout the day made me better. And in a few days i was back at 100%! I have been meaning to write and thank you both. You saved me from possibly having to go through a lot of trauma I did not want to go through. And possibly saved me from surgery. If anyone had seen me before I did that simple exercise, I think they would have signed me up for surgery. I was shaking hands just like you did in this video with my upper arm at my side. You really made a difference in my life and I am very grateful to you both for your help. Thank you very much!

thanks so much, very helpful

Thanks alot sir...kind of instructive with fun. My salute to u both. 😊

You guys are awesome! I’m a Yoga teacher with extensive continuing education in anatomy and special conditions and I use a lot of your techniques in class and on my own shoulder impingement. WIsh I had found you BEFORE I created my shoulder issue. Oh well ...”better late than never”. THANKS for all you do. And you’re funny too! Hey that rhymes :-))

Good explained with friendly attitude❤👍

One of the tests I was a little worried, but all the other no problem at all. Thanks for the upload gentleman, I am not nearly as stressed.

Thanks guys for your knowledge and precious advice. First and second test were done easily but for the third test, the pain is 7 out of 10.. It's for my right hand, I've managed to do the shoulder squeeze with some difficulties but I would like to know if there're other ways of treating it. I can feel the pain in my infraspinatus or teres or even the latissimus. Please need your help guys, thanks..

U both r doing wonderful job 👍

Thx for this video. Just had an MRI to confirm a Rotator cuff in my left arm. Will try the recommended exercises till my orthopedist schedules my 1st appointment. Thx again guys #new subbie

Best intro ever

Very thankful for your videos. Not thankful that I need them, though. Sure sign of old age! At least you guys bring a smile to my pain(s).

I just had the subscapularis tendon to bone repair. Also, the supra and infraspinatus tendons were irreparable, damage to them was too old. I never had any indication of those, no pain, or discomfort. I also had the long head bicep tendon removed because it was torn 3/4 of the the way, and again, irreparable.

The last test (moving back of hand away from behind my body) is the one that causes discomfort. It's 2-3/10 pain with a little discomfort. Any advice? What muscles are involved in that movement?

Very helpful.

The arms over my head is my paradox I can't stop waking up like that regardless of how I try to go to sleep What is if at all is the pro or cons of using a tenz unit on the irritated tendon ?

Hey Bob & Brad! An JC from Chile and wanted to thank for your videos, great help to all of us! Just a quick question, is it recommended to apply “Australian current to a rotator cuff lesion? My own problem extends all the way down to my pinky and it tingles most times. Thanks again.

This is exactly what I wanted for a long time

Thanks. I can bench press and squat with a barbell bar over my head, no problem. Both shoulders are pretty flexible. But I always have this dull pain in my left shoulder when I raise my hands overhead just past my ears. Pain is probably 1 out of 10. I also hear crackling sounds in both shoulders when I move them in circles. I think I'll go see a doc and have them checked out before it gets worse. I remember having a similar nagging (dull) pain in my lower back, and a few weeks later, I was rolling on the floor with a bulging disc. WHOA!

Very helpful my chiro mentioned this and did no tests and gave no info

Thanks!

I'm so grateful for these videos. Much thanks!

You guys are doing awesome job. Much appreciated. Muaha

Did you do the video on how to position the shoulder for pain? I could not find it.

Wait, "first Four weeks"? I don't have four weeks, our Summer is too short in Upstate New York, Dang.... Thanks for confirming that it's a RC tear as my doc said; with your added humor; it really helps.

Very useful.

This was so helpful. Painful want to cry 😢.

How do you correct your posture with this if you have scoliosis... Will the method still improve posture with the scoliosis in play??

Bob and Brad, is it best to have an MRI for an accurate diagnosis or is a physical exam just as good or bette?

Thank you

I'm doing better on these exercises. Reached back in fridge while bending over, felt pinch. Thought I had small rotator tear. It's been a couple of months, now trying to stretch. I am AMAZED at relief of stiffness and pain. Thank you so much for your videos!

.My bad arm does not give way on any of these test but is noticeably weaker than my other arm..could this be a tare ,could it be something else. And will the same exercises help. Any info would help. Thx.

I have this shoulder pain for about a year now. It started when i slept in a prone position with my arm hanging at the side of the bed, I always felt pain since then when I raise my shoulder. Is it a tear?

This is a great video, and it really helped...

Ultra-sound showed I had a tear but wasn't too bad. Recently I had a fall and went down onto the same shoulder, now it's pretty sore with marked lack of movement above 45 degrees. My GP suggests an operation but after watching this I'm going to give these exercises a go for a month. Thanks for the great advice guys !

Would it be possible to see this problem from the outside. All of the tests you show, I fail. And I see a small lump appear on the front side of my shoulder that moves when i move my arm.

I had an ulnar nerve impingement, along with a minor rotator cuff tear. Doctors and PTs kept suggesting surgery! When the elbow's impingement was "manually" released the rotator tear pain nearly vanished! Pain was gone, I could move my arm, and my strength returned. Thanks to the PT who recognized the problem and "snapped" it back into place!!!!

Hi,what do you think of the inspace balloon for a solution for a detached supraspinatus with 2.5cm retraction. This happened in the gym 16 months ago. I'm 54,very active with a job that involves alot of heavy lifting. Tia.

I just can’t lift my arm all the way up with out feeling pain. But i passed all of the other two tests. What does that mean?

What would you say is the problem if my shoulder pain comes when I bring my arm across my chest(reaching across)?

Thank you guys brilliant videos. keep up the good work. you have helped me hugely

Thank you. Can it be fixed? If so how?

I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in the AC joint of my left shoulder in 2015 got an injection and it lasted for over 1year then my pain came back in April 2017 but it's excruciating I have pain all around my shoulder down my arm I can hardly lift it now, it's very weak I have to take pain meds for the pain to stop will this be considered a tear? Thanks

Watching this video with an ice bad on my shoulder ☹ pendulum exercise actually hurt when I tried it days ago :/

I have had 3 surgeries on my right shoulder. I had a Bicep tear and a torn Rotator cuff this was work related. My last surgery was April of 2018 and I cant lift my arm up over my head and my thearpy has stop. The job doctor said I have reached the maxiumum treatment. My surgeon doctor said that I can go back to work but permanent light duty. I drive for a living my job don't have permanent light duty. I am vocational program through the job. I am doing home therapy myself and I see some improvement in my shoulder.

If the studies show that I have the supraspinatus tendon broken by 1cm of the rotator cuff, is it possible that It can be healed with therapies and exercises? or I should necessary have a surgery?.

Nice tests....

so the empty can I can do but its tender, but the test 4 is a NO GO..Pain.... is that something that will heal on own or can it be done with surgery?

I cant build muscle in my left arm it gose to my shoulder hurts when I lift anything do you think it could be

While doing The open can and the back one, it hurts. However i can still do. What dose that mean?

Great video! Thank you so much. I took a hard fall, ( from a seizure) came too with my dog licking my face. I had a black eye, broke the back left molar and had to have it pulled, then pulled the tendon in my left thigh. The leash was in my right hand. I thought I was just super sore. But I was having problems dressing and raising my arm above 3 o'clock. I cant "wash the window or wipe the table". I went to my Ortho thinking it was a frozen shoulder. He sent me for an MRI, and I have a tear. I also have a frozen shoulder, and he said he would shave the bone because there is not enough room. I had that surgery done 15 yrs ago, and it is one tough surgery to recover from. I'm going to try your exercises to help loosen it up and prepare me We did not cover any of these in the 1 month of PT I've had so far. Do they still use the chair that raises your arm up and down for 10 hrs a day for the first 2 weeks?

Hi I did a key hole surgery for my left shoulder back in December 2018. I have been doing the rehabilitation exercises. However my shoulder still hurts and my range of motion is still stuck. Is there any solutions? If the progress is normal?

How long after injury should you be able to perform all the tests

hello guys! i can do all three but i feel a bit of pain sometimes. is that already considered a rot cuff injury?

I went to emergency room today for my shoulder feel on it this past weekend pain swollen hard to move painful to do so no breaks as far as they could see but he did sent my x rays and stuff over to sports medicine doctor near the hospital have to wait 5 10 days got a sling told ice heat. And got advil muscle and joint pain sadly not really helping pain lol but its only one bill u can take very so often maybe after a few only aloud 3 in24 hours

Starting physio on Monday due to two small tears on my left rotator cuff.

did that one movment and now im in so much pain i have been have weakness in my arm every since i did behind the neck shoulder presses my arm has been killing me

Thank you guys! I don’t have a tear

Hi Bob and Brad, and thank you for this wonderful resource. The only exercise that hurt was putting my hand against my lower back and separating it slightly. What does that indicate? What should I do to work on it as far as stretches and exercises? Do I have a tear? Funny enough, when I tried the exercise the first time, it was painful. Then I tried it again a few minutes later and it was much less painful. Thanks again and God bless you both in the New Year!

I lift weights and felt some pain during dumbbell over head presses. Stopped immediately and still can't life anything with my left arm above my head. Also Lateral raises are very painful and I can't get to level with my shoulder. Not sure if I should rest or go to the doc to check for a tear.

I went to the Dr today because I have been having shoulder pain sense October of last year I was in a car accident in October I do weight lifting 4 days a week for almost 2 years I was sore in both shoulders for a few hours afterwards then it go away didn't start having pain until a week after my car accident in October I was holding my five months 3 days while laying flat on my back in my bed and had excursionating pain for about 10 minutes Dr today said she think it's a hairline fracture in my left what do you think it could be ?

is swiming helpfull when u have a tear in tendon please thanks for your information doc

What if the pain is on the front side of your arm shoulder area directly above the top area where the armpit ends. Ive had limited range of motion for years so I was stretching my arms up a few times and felt this pain know it’s been hurting for the last 6 weeks

What if just the first test (emptying can) hurts me but not the other tests ? What muscle is that?

How do I know if it is very bad like I feel a little bit of pain from those how come sometimes I feel pain in my chest?

Thanks guys. Does each of the tests correspond to one of the respective rotator cuff muscles? I would like to narrow down which muscle/tendon is my issue. The test that gets me is the hand behind back/internal rotation one.

What if you can't move your arm at all. Arm hanging down straight alongside body, can only move arm a couple of inches to the side and not at all to the front. Can move it using my other hand, just not with the bad arm.

I can’t do all three test my right shoulder just hurts badly and I can’t even brush my hair. I already had some X-rays and MRI and found out I got Tendernitis or a tear. I don’t get to see an Orthopedic till August what can I do for awhile what do you guys recommend me for this terrible pain.

I'm not sure if my rotator cuff is torn yet. The tests I could do on my own I got results of torn rotator cuff. The thing is I need to get through this baseball season, as I don't want to waste money and not play 90% of the games. What do you recommend?

your videos so great and entertaining. I am telling everyone I know about you both and your educational videos. Thank you so much

I can't do the arm behind the back it hurts so bad. Made an appointment with orthopedic specialist. The PA after a few test told me I can possibly have a partial rotator cuff tear

10:45 I hurt my shoulder, i can do everything except this doorway stretch, no chance, what could be wrong? I can't straiten my arm and move my elbow up high at the same time

you are right, I can't lift my arm all the way up

Been a year since I threw out my arm a a minor league game at a fan pitching booth. Shoulder had always been a bit tender from high school. Now 50 it hurts like a mother at times. Sometime a tooth ache in the joint then weeks of no pain. Only the hand behind the back bothered me. It was brutal. Think it is nerve damage. The others were no problem. I got a nerve running to the minor peck (?) that my massage therapist found that is killing me at times. A year after the incident, I can lift a 50 pound square box and little to no discomfort. Screwed up opening a car door. Slipped from my hand and grabbed it a second time my nerve screamed! Hardly any effort but it almost brings me to tears. Gonna try these exercises. Thank you.

My pain is more in the front of my shoulder close to armpit For example when I reach down and under a table or inside the refrigerator and when I wash my hair is shower it is painful. What do you think it is ?

I've done the test and I think I just sprained it, how long do you recommend it to heal before I start a bit of personal physical therapy for my shoulder and how long until I can lift heavier weights? I struggle to bring my hand over my head but i can do it and it doesn't give out as I lower it.

I just had a major snap crackle sound in my right shoulder this evening while lifting up and out too much weight. It is tender considerably. I passed all these movements you two show to test for .Just really tender and I also have already had arthroscopic surgery in that shoulder, but not rotator cuff repair. Also they cut away that acrominal tip and cut away my collar bone so it wouldn't catch there anymore. That was 12 years ago. Thanks!

I hurt my shoulder in a baseball game a couple days ago and the pain is very bad to the point I can’t sleep cause cause of the pain and can’t lift my arm without help

I had my shoulder cuff repair last year can you show me some exercises to strengthen my shoulder with out harming it Thanks.

Can it cause also pain in the back upper arm? Fell at work and the ER dr is sending me for an MRI for a possible torn rotator cuff.

I passed the test - though the last test my arm felt kind of sore, not painful. Each test was not painful. I can list things I can do right now in the gym. Pull workouts no issues Arms no issues legs no issues - I know its legs. bench press I tried to do 135 pounds today and was able to do it, but my shoulder did not like it. When I benched with no weight on the bar there was no issues. Heavy lifting in terms of bench or any kind of pushing - no good right now.

If I have soreness below the bony part of the scapula (very minor soreness) is that an indicator of a tear? I conducted the tests and have very minor pain. Can’t tell if anything is torn or just strained. Also will doing those stretches increase the risk of a rotator cuff tear getting worse if you do have one?

I don’t think I have a tear but just a impingement. Thanks for all the tips for how to sleep too.