Shoulder Pain: It's Probably Not a Rotator Cuff Tear

You've got shoulder pain. Your doctor mentions "possible rotator cuff tear." An MRI shows "some fraying" or "impingement." But here's the thing: millions of people have rotator cuff tears and no pain.

At Matterhorn Fit, we work with shoulder pain every day - and we've learned that the MRI findings often don't match what's actually causing the problem.

Your shoulder pain probably isn't about torn tissue. It's about how your nervous system controls (or doesn't control) your shoulder in the first place.

Here's what's really behind most shoulder pain - and how the Matterhorn Method gets to the actual cause.

The Rotator Cuff Myth

Here's a shocking fact: studies show that 30-50% of people over 50 have rotator cuff tears - but no pain.

Meanwhile, many people with severe shoulder pain have completely normal MRIs.

This tells us that structural damage isn't the real story. The real story is about control, stability, and nervous system function.

What Really Causes Shoulder Pain

Most shoulder pain stems from:

1. Poor shoulder blade control - Your scapula isn't providing a stable base for arm movement
2. Core instability - Your trunk can't support your arm during overhead or loaded activities
3. Nervous system guarding - Protective tension that alters normal shoulder mechanics
4. Compensation patterns - Other areas working overtime to make up for dysfunction

When these systems fail, your rotator cuff and shoulder joint take excessive stress - leading to pain, regardless of what the MRI shows.

The Shoulder-Core Connection

Your shoulder doesn't work in isolation. Every time you reach, lift, or throw, the force travels through:

• Your feet (ground contact)
• Your legs and hips (power generation)
• Your core (force transfer)
• Your shoulder blade (stable platform)
• Your shoulder joint (fine control)

If any link in this chain is weak or uncoordinated, your shoulder pays the price.

That's why people with "shoulder problems" often have:

• Poor posture or core strength
• Hip stiffness or weakness
• Neck tension and headaches
• Breathing dysfunction

Why Shoulder-Focused Treatment Often Fails

Most shoulder treatment focuses on:

• Rotator cuff strengthening
• Shoulder stretches and mobility
• Anti-inflammatory medication
• Injections or surgery

While these might help temporarily, they don't address why your shoulder was overloaded in the first place.

If you don't fix the system, the problem will likely return.

How the Matterhorn Method Treats Shoulder Pain

We treat the whole kinetic chain - not just the painful joint.

Our approach focuses on:

1. Nervous system reset - Reducing protective guarding that alters shoulder mechanics
2. Core and breathing reactivation - Providing a stable foundation for arm movement
3. Shoulder blade integration - Teaching your scapula to move and stabilize properly
4. Movement repatterning - Retraining functional activities without compensation

This addresses the cause of overload, not just the symptoms.

Pro Tip: The Shoulder System Test

Try this simple assessment to see if your shoulder pain is really a "shoulder problem":

1. Wall push-up - Can you do 10 clean reps without shoulder blade winging?
2. Overhead reach - Can you reach overhead without arching your back?
3. Single-arm plank - Can you hold 15 seconds without your torso rotating?
4. Deep breathing - Can you breathe deeply without your shoulders rising?

If any of these are difficult, your "shoulder problem" likely involves dysfunction in other areas.

Final Thoughts

Shoulder pain is rarely just about your shoulder. It's usually about how well your entire kinetic chain works together - and how your nervous system controls that coordination.

The Matherhorn Method helps you address the real cause of shoulder pain by treating the whole system - not just where it hurts.

Book your evaluation today and discover why fixing your core and movement patterns might be the key to finally resolving your shoulder pain.