Boulder Sports Clinic

Rotator Cuff Injury
Treatment in Boulder, CO

Rotator Cuff Injuries are one of the most common causes of shoulder pain we see at Boulder Sports Clinic, especially in active adults, athletes, climbers, runners, weightlifters, and desk workers.

Reduce shoulder pain, restore strength, and get back to lifting, climbing, and daily life—without rushing to surgery.

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Enjoy Your Life Without Arm and Shoulder Pain
Enjoy Your Life Without Arm and Shoulder Pain treatment
Arm and Shoulder pain

Rotator Cuff Pain Treatment in Boulder, CO

Shoulder Pain, Weakness, or Pain When Lifting Your Arm?
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You may be dealing with a rotator cuff injury if you experience:

  • Pain or weakness when lifting your arm overhead
  • Shoulder pain during workouts or daily tasks
  • Difficulty sleeping on your shoulder
  • A deep ache or sharp pain with reaching or lifting
  • Shoulder pain that hasn’t improved with rest

The good news: most rotator cuff injuries can be treated successfully without surgery.

What Is a Rotator Cuff Injury?

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint and control arm movement. A rotator cuff injury occurs when one or more of these tendons become irritated, strained, or torn.
Rotator cuff injuries may include:

  • Tendinopathy (chronic tendon irritation)
  • Partial tears
  • Surrounding soft tissue structures

Pain and dysfunction often come not only from the tendon itself, but from poor shoulder mechanics, muscle imbalance, and restricted movement.

Common Causes of Rotator Cuff Injuries


Rotator cuff injuries often develop over time, not from a single incident.
Common contributing factors include:

  • Poor shoulder or upper-back mobility
  • Muscle imbalances around the shoulder blade
  • Repetitive overhead activity (lifting, climbing, swimming, throwing)
  • Prolonged desk posture and forward shoulders
  • Previous shoulder injuries that never fully resolved
This is why rest alone often doesn’t fix the problem.
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Why Rotator Cuff Pain Often Persists

Many people try:
  • Rest
  • Stretching or generic exercises
  • Ice or anti-inflammatory medication
  • Modifying workouts
While these may reduce pain temporarily, symptoms often return if the underlying movement and stability issues aren’t corrected.

Without restoring proper shoulder mechanics, the rotator cuff continues to be overloaded—leading to ongoing pain or re-injury.
Our Approach

How We Treat Rotator Cuff Injuries at Boulder Sports Clinic

At Boulder Sports Clinic, rotator cuff treatment focuses on relieving pain while rebuilding strength, control, and shoulder function.
Your treatment plan may include:

Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic Care:

Manual and low force adjustments to the spine and extremities to improve joint alignment and restore optimal range of motion.
Physical Therapy

Physical Therapy:

Personalized rehabilitation plans that promote injury healing, strengthen muscles, enhance flexibility, and prevent future injuries enabling a quicker return to daily activities.
Massage Therapy

Massage Therapy:

The application of hands-on therapy to address trigger points and tight muscles, improve lymphatic drainage, and reduce muscle and joint stiffness.
Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave Therapy:

A non-invasive treatment that utilizes high-energy sound waves to break down scar tissue and stimulate the body's natural healing process, promoting tissue regeneration, enhanced blood circulation, and effective pain relief.
Class 4 laser Therapy

Class 4 laser Therapy:

Leveraging dual-wavelength infrared light energy to reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation, while accelerating tissue healing and boosting cellular regeneration through photobiomodulation.
Electrical Muscle Stimulation

Electrical Muscle Stimulation:

The use of superficial or intramuscular stimulation 
of muscles to help decrease muscle stiffness and improve range of motion.
PEMF Therapy

PEMF Therapy:

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy is a non-invasive treatment that utilizes electromagnetic fields to address neuromuscular injuries and reduce joint pain and stiffness.
Active Release Techniques

Active Release Techniques:

A non-invasive manual therapy technique designed to reduce muscle tightness and optimize the movement of muscles, ligaments, and nerves throughout the body.
Cupping Therapy

Cupping Therapy:

The use of fascial cups to release myofascial adhesions, alleviate trigger points, improve circulation, enhance lymphatic drainage, reduce fine lines, and diminish the appearance of cellulite.
Trigger Point Dry Needling

Trigger Point Dry Needling:

The use of fine needles to target trigger points in muscles, releasing tension and stimulating the body’s natural healing processes without the use of medication.
Graston Technique

Graston Technique:

Instrument-assisted soft tissue therapy that enhances circulation, reduces fascial adhesions, and restores range of motion in muscles and joints.
Kinesio Taping

Kinesio Taping:

The application of specialized tape to support muscles and joints, enhance circulation, reduce bruising and swelling, and promote healing—all without restricting movement.
Yoga Therapy

Yoga Therapy:

Targeted movements and breath work to enhance posture, increase flexibility, relieve muscle tension, alleviate stress, and restore balance to the central nervous system.
Postural Correction

Postural Correction:

Focused stretching and strengthening exercises designed to correct muscle compensation patterns, enhance posture alignment, and prevent future injuries.

What to Expect at Your First Visit


Your first visit includes:

  • A detailed history and movement assessment
  • Shoulder, neck, and upper-back evaluation
  • Strength and mobility testing
  • A clear explanation of what’s causing your pain
  • A personalized treatment plan with realistic timelines
You’ll leave knowing what’s wrong, why it’s happening, and how we’ll fix it.
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When Should You Seek Care for a Rotator Cuff Injury?

We recommend scheduling an evaluation if:
  • Shoulder pain has lasted longer than 2–3 weeks
  • Pain or weakness limits lifting, climbing, or daily activities
  • Pain keeps returning despite rest or stretching
  • Pain interferes with sleep
  • You experience weakness, catching, or loss of range of motion
Early treatment often means faster recovery and fewer visits.

Schedule Rotator Cuff Injury Treatment in Boulder
You don’t have to stop training, avoid movement, or assume surgery is inevitable.
Schedule a rotator cuff evaluation or injury screen at Boulder Sports Clinic and get a clear, conservative plan to restore shoulder strength and function.

Frequently Asked Questions


Do all rotator cuff tears require surgery?
No. Many partial tears and tendon injuries respond extremely well to conservative, non-surgical care.
‍How long does it take to recover from a rotator cuff injury?
Recovery time varies, but many patients see meaningful improvement within weeks when mechanics and strength are addressed.
‍Do I need an MRI?
Imaging is only recommended when clinically necessary based on exam findings and symptoms.
‍Can I combine physical therapy and chiropractic care?
Yes. Combining services often leads to better outcomes and more durable recovery.


Trusted Shoulder Care for Active Adults in Boulder


Boulder Sports Clinic has extensive experience helping athletes and active adults recover from rotator cuff injuries and return to lifting, climbing, work, and outdoor activities with confidence.
Whether your injury started gradually or suddenly, our team is here to help you move forward—stronger and pain-free.
We can help

Boulder Sports Clinic
Will Fix Your Rotator Cuff Injury Pain

Why continue to live with arm and shoulder pain when there is a solution? Call Boulder Sports Clinic at 303-444-5105 or complete our easy online contact form. One of our knowledgeable therapists will gladly discuss how we can treat your arm and shoulder pain. So, banish that nagging pain and get back to living your life.

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