How Nutrition & Weight Affect Shoulder Health (Rotator Cuff Tears Explained)
- Julian Simpson
- 1 day ago
- 9 min read
How Nutrition & Weight Affect Shoulder Health (Rotator Cuff Tears Explained)
Shoulder pain can be a real roadblock to enjoying life — from lifting groceries to playing sports, even reaching overhead can become a struggle. One common culprit? Rotator cuff tears.
These injuries are especially common in older adults, and when they become degenerative full-thickness tears, they can cause bigger issues like muscle wasting (atrophy) and fatty infiltration in the shoulder muscles. Both of these changes make recovery slower and surgery less effective.
But here’s the surprising twist — your weight and nutrition may play a much bigger role in your shoulder health than you think!
The Link Between Obesity & Shoulder Muscle Changes
Recent research (2025) shows:⚖️ For every 5 points higher in BMI, patients with full-thickness rotator cuff tears had a 36% higher chance of muscle atrophy.🥩 Obesity (BMI ≥ 28) significantly increased the likelihood of fatty infiltration in rotator cuff muscles.
Why? Extra body fat isn’t just “stored energy” — it’s metabolically active. It releases inflammatory chemicals (cytokines) that can damage cells, impair muscle repair, and drive chronic inflammation throughout the body. That inflammation doesn’t just affect your joints — it directly impacts healing.
The Role of Nutrition
It’s not just weight — nutritional status matters too.
Patients with signs of malnutrition (like lower serum albumin, hemoglobin, and poor protein scores) were more likely to experience muscle degeneration in the rotator cuff. Without the right nutrients, your muscles simply don’t have the building blocks they need to heal.
Why This Matters for You
Rotator cuff tears don’t just “happen” in isolation — your whole-body health plays a role. Obesity and poor nutrition not only increase the risk of shoulder injury but also reduce the chance of a strong recovery.
That means…✅ Maintaining a healthy weight supports muscle integrity.✅ Eating a nutrient-rich, anti-inflammatory diet helps your body heal.✅ Combining lifestyle changes with chiropractic care can reduce pain, improve mobility, and support long-term shoulder function.
Foods That Support Shoulder Healing
Want to help your muscles recover and reduce inflammation? Add more of these to your plate:
🐟 Fatty fish (salmon, sardines) → Omega-3s fight inflammation
🥦 Leafy greens & cruciferous veggies → Packed with antioxidants
🍊 Citrus fruits → Vitamin C supports collagen and tissue repair
🥜 Nuts & seeds → Healthy fats + magnesium for muscle health
🌿 Turmeric & ginger → Natural anti-inflammatories
✨ Takeaway: Shoulder pain isn’t just about the shoulder — it’s about the whole body. Keeping your weight in check and fueling your body with the right nutrients can make all the difference in preventing injury and improving recovery. Pair that with chiropractic care, and your shoulders (and the rest of you!) will thank you.
Shoulder Pain Chiropractor
Q: Can chiropractic care help shoulder pain?Yes, chiropractic can help with frozen shoulder, rotator cuff issues, and posture-related pain.
Q: How do adjustments help the shoulder?By restoring mobility, reducing nerve irritation, and relaxing tight muscles.
Q: Is chiropractic safe for chronic shoulder pain?Yes, it’s a safe and drug-free option for many shoulder conditions.
Q: Do I need imaging before treatment?Sometimes, depending on the severity or suspected injury.
For more information about how we can help YOU with your shoulder pain and improve your underlying dysfunction so the problem doesn’t come back . Please call Health Wise Chiropractic 03 9467 7889 or book online to see one of our Chiropractors in Sunbury or Melton/Strathtulloh Today!
We are also really proud to offer our patients an APP for their Mobile- iPad. With access to your rehab exercises and our health tip blogs with over 600 articles.
Chiropractic has moved online. We offer our online program -STAND CORRECTED- To help you through the day.
We have over 30 programs on different health conditions
Each program contains
- Information about the conditions
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refernce
Cen L, Tao K, Liu H, Li M, Zhang YF, Huang ZY. Preoperative nutritional status and obesity are associated with muscle atrophy and fatty infiltration in degenerative rotator cuff tears. J Orthop Surg Res. 2025 Aug 12;20(1):759. doi: 10.1186/s13018-025-06185-1. PMID: 40797340; PMCID: PMC12344829.
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