How Your Shoulder Compensates After a Rotator Cuff Tear
- Julian Simpson
- Mar 30
- 3 min read
Updated: May 13
About the Author
Dr Julian Simpson is an Australian chiropractor with over 15 years of experience in musculoskeletal healthcare and rehabilitation.
He is a Board Member of the Chiropractic Australia Research Foundation and has reviewed and written more than 800 evidence-based health articles focused on spinal health, rehabilitation, sports injuries and conservative care approaches.
His treatment focus includes:
Chiropractic adjustments
Sports chiropractic
Massage therapy
Shockwave therapy
Laser therapy
Non-surgical spinal decompression
Dr Simpson provides patient care through Healthwise Chiropractic, serving communities including Sunbury, Melton, Diggers Rest and surrounding regions.
How Your Shoulder Compensates After a Rotator Cuff Tear
Rotator cuff tears (RCT) are one of the most common shoulder injuries, especially as we age. They can affect your daily life, making activities like reaching overhead, washing your hair, or lifting objects more difficult. But did you know your body has a way of compensating for these injuries?
A recent study used computer simulations to see exactly how the shoulder adapts when some of the rotator cuff muscles are injured. Researchers looked at different severities of tears and how your muscles respond during everyday activities like lifting your arm, reaching for your head, or lifting a light object.
What They Found
Shoulder stability decreases with tear severity. When key rotator cuff muscles like the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and subscapularis are injured, the stability of the shoulder joint goes down. This effect is more noticeable at lower arm angles — think about starting to lift your arm rather than at full overhead height.
Other muscles step in to help. Even when some muscles are torn, nearby uninjured muscles can increase their activity to help stabilise the joint:
Teres minor (Tm) – steps in when the infraspinatus is injured, especially during arm elevation and lifting.
Long head of the biceps (LHB) – helps compress the shoulder joint, particularly in the early phase of raising the arm.
Deltoids and remaining rotator cuff muscles – contribute mainly by helping move the arm, which indirectly supports stability.
Compensation depends on the movement. The way your shoulder compensates varies depending on the activity, arm position, and the type and severity of the tear. For example, lifting something overhead may rely more on the teres minor, while reaching for your head might rely more on the deltoid and subscapularis coordination.
Why This Matters for Chiropractic Care
Understanding how the shoulder naturally compensates after a rotator cuff tear helps chiropractors and other clinicians design better rehab programs. Instead of just focusing on the injured muscles, treatment can:
Strengthen the uninjured muscles that help stabilize the shoulder, like the teres minor and biceps.
Include task-specific exercises that mimic daily activities to promote safe and effective movement patterns.
Monitor movements that might overwork compensating muscles and lead to secondary injuries.
Takeaway
Your shoulder is smarter than you think. Even with a rotator cuff tear, your body can recruit other muscles to maintain stability and function during everyday activities. Targeted rehabilitation that strengthens these compensating muscles and encourages proper movement can make a big difference in recovery and daily comfort.
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!
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Nakashima S, Kawada M, Takeshita Y, Miyazaki T, Fukuda M, Matsuura H, Kiyama R. Compensatory mechanisms to maintain glenohumeral joint stability in rotator cuff tears of differing severity during activities of daily living: A musculoskeletal model simulation study. PLoS One. 2025 Oct 31;20(10):e0335647. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0335647. PMID: 41171773; PMCID: PMC12578153.
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