02/11/2026
A rotator cuff tear doesn’t mean your shoulder is done.
Even a full thickness tear doesn’t automatically mean surgery, injections, or giving up the workouts and activities you love.
In part 2 of this week’s blog, I walk through a real patient case and show what real rehab actually looks like, not just band exercises and hoping for the best.
This client came in with a painful, stiff, and weak shoulder after a rotator cuff tear. He had plateaued doing random rehab on his own and was told by his doctor that at his age, he should basically be happy just walking to the mailbox (😬).
Instead, we built a progressive plan:
✔️ First, we calmed the shoulder down and restored basic mobility and strength
✔️ Then we rebuilt real capacity with smart loading and progressive strength work
✔️ Finally, we layered him back into the movements he actually cares about like pull ups, handstand push ups, ring dips, and Olympic lifts
Today, he’s back doing all the things he loves and trusting his shoulder again.
The big takeaway: pain going away isn’t the finish line. The goal is rebuilding strength, tolerance, and confidence so your shoulder can handle real life and real training.
If you’ve been dealing with shoulder pain or were told you have a rotator cuff tear, this one’s worth the read 👇
Explore a real-life rotator cuff rehab journey with John. Learn how targeted exercises and phases led him back to full activity.