March 22, 2026: What causes 65% of shoulder pain
That stability job is critical because your shoulder is built for mobility, not stability.
Unlike your hip, where the ball sits deep inside a cup-shaped socket, your shoulder's ball and socket look more like a golf ball on a tee. It has lots of mobility, but very little inherent stability.
The rotator cuff muscles are what keep that ball centered in the socket as you move. Without them working properly, the ball drifts off-center and causes excessive stress on surrounding tissues.
My motto is that the best way to treat injuries is to prevent them from happening in the first place.
Strengthening your rotator cuff directly and ensuring that the ball is moving properly in the socket is one of the most effective ways to reduce shoulder injuries.
Here are three of my favorite exercises I do as a Physical Therapist to strengthen my rotator cuff:
Do these two to three times per week to keep your shoulders healthy and moving correctly.
Even if you already have rotator cuff issues, many cases can be treated without surgery through physical therapy that focuses on precision, strength, and coordination of movement.
Your shoulders are involved in nearly everything you do. A few minutes each week strengthening the muscles that protect them, is one of the best investments you can make in staying active and pain-free.
Until next week,
Kevin
✍️ Quote I’m reflecting upon
“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born...and the day you find out why.”
Hi friends,
Your shoulder can move in more directions than any other joint in your body.
That's incredible for throwing, lifting, reaching, and just about everything you do with your arms. But it also makes your shoulder vulnerable to injury.
The rotator cuff accounts for roughly 65% of all shoulder pain. Yet most people have no idea what it actually does or why it becomes a source of pain.
The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles that surround your shoulder joint. They rotate your arm and, more importantly, stabilize your shoulder during movement.
