Rehab Science

Understanding Pain: Why It's More Than Just Tissue Damage

Pain isn't just physical—it's a complex interplay of biology, emotions, and social factors. Are you aware of how this affects your pain? In our latest podcast, Dr. Rachel Zoffness, PhD, breaks down the biopsychosocial model of pain. She explains that pain is not just about anatomy or injuries; it's a mix of biological, psychological, and sociological factors. Understanding this can empower you to take control of your pain management. It's not just about pills or procedures; it's about recognizing the emotional and social components that play a role in your experience of pain. Pain is a ubiquitous human problem. Everyone deserves to understand what's happening in their body and how to address it holistically. Check out the full episode for more insights!

SLAP Tears of the Shoulder: What They Are and How They're Treated

SLAP tears refer to injuries of the superior labrum of the shoulder, where the long head of the biceps tendon attaches to the glenoid. These tears are commonly identified on imaging, particularly in overhead athletes and aging populations, but their presence does not always explain pain or dysfunction. The shoulder relies heavily on soft tissue structures for stability, and the biceps–labral complex is exposed to significant load during overhead and deceleration activities. Importantly, labral changes are frequently seen in asymptomatic individuals, highlighting that structural findings alone do not equate to symptoms. Clinically, SLAP tears may present with deep shoulder pain, discomfort during overhead activity, clicking sensations, or fatigue with repeated use, though symptoms often overlap with other shoulder conditions. Diagnosis is challenging, as no single clinical test is highly accurate and imaging frequently reveals incidental findings. Meaningful diagnosis requires correlating symptoms, functional limitations, and activity demands rather than relying on imaging alone. From a treatment standpoint, conservative management is the first-line approach for most individuals. Rehabilitation focuses on restoring shoulder strength, scapular control, and load tolerance rather than "fixing" the labrum itself. While surgery may be appropriate in select cases, many people experience meaningful improvement with well-structured physical therapy. This episode explores how education, progressive loading, and evidence-based rehab strategies can help individuals return to function, even in the presence of a diagnosed SLAP tear. Link for my book: https://amzn.to/3Ld7ssd [https://amzn.to/3Ld7ssd] Link for my app: https://rehabscience.com/membership/ [https://rehabscience.com/membership/] YouTube SLAP rehab video: https://youtu.be/FwiDJ6hoaYo?si=924NiLBuqPxBri0g [https://youtu.be/FwiDJ6hoaYo?si=924NiLBuqPxBri0g]

When Shoulder Blade Pain Is Actually Coming From Your Neck

Pain between the shoulder blades is often blamed on tight muscles, poor posture, or a stubborn "knot" that just won't go away. But in many cases, that pain isn't coming from the shoulder blade region at all. In this episode of Rehab Science, Dr. Tom Walters explains how irritation of the cervical spine and lower cervical nerve roots can refer pain into the interscapular region. You'll learn why local treatments often provide only temporary relief, how neural anatomy explains these referral patterns, and how rehabilitation interventions can address the true driver of symptoms. This episode is especially relevant for anyone who spends long hours at a computer, experiences upper back or shoulder blade pain that changes with neck movement, or wants a clearer understanding of how referred pain works. Here is a YouTube video [https://youtu.be/6WNZ-P3EWmQ?si=OIeyoIgBIAtcq7cp] with a few exercises that can help with this type of pain. Follow & Learn More * YouTube: YouTube.com/rehabscience * Instagram: Instagram.com/rehabscience * Website: Rehabscience.com * Newsletter: Rehabscience.com/subscribe If you found this episode helpful, consider subscribing and sharing it with someone who deals with ongoing neck or shoulder blade pain.

Navigating a Rotator Cuff Tear — Rehab or Surgery?

In this episode of the Rehab Science podcast, Dr. Tom Walters, DPT, breaks down everything you need to know about rotator cuff tears—from anatomy and injury mechanisms to decision-making around rehab versus surgical repair. Dr. Walters explains the role of the four rotator cuff muscles (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis) and why the supraspinatus tendon is most often affected. He also discusses the difference between partial and full-thickness tears, and how imaging findings don't always predict pain or function. Listeners will learn when rehabilitation is the preferred approach and when surgical repair may be necessary. Drawing on current research and clinical experience, Dr. Walters emphasizes the value of progressive strengthening, scapular stabilization, and load management—highlighting that most people can recover full, pain-free function without surgery. The episode concludes with practical advice for restoring shoulder strength and confidence through movement. 🔗 Resources * 📘 Rehab Science: How to Overcome Pain and Heal From Injury [https://amzn.to/3ZSCVUU] * 🎥 Rotator Cuff Rehab Exercises on YouTube [https://youtu.be/ydWXP3U1P0Y?si=fHwPsLEnnl7ppjwf] * 🌐 Rehab Science App [https://membership.rehabscience.com/]

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: Diagnosis & Treatment Strategies

In this solo episode, Dr. Tom Walters breaks down thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS)—a condition caused by compression of the nerves and blood vessels as they pass from the neck into the arm. He begins with an introduction to the condition and explains the difference between neurogenic and vascular TOS, highlighting key symptoms that require urgent medical referral. Dr. Walters then discusses how to differentiate TOS from cervical radiculopathy, a common source of confusion in clinical practice, focusing on symptom distribution, aggravating positions, and relevant clinical tests. Finally, he outlines the most effective physical therapy interventions for neurogenic TOS, including postural retraining, mobility work, scapular strengthening, breathing strategies, and activity modification. This episode is ideal for anyone interested in learning more about the anatomy, diagnosis, and rehab management of TOS, from clinicians to patients dealing with upper extremity pain and dysfunction. Rehab Science Book [https://amzn.to/3V7tiyK] YouTube video [https://youtu.be/VH4dg3EVI-E?si=hOEcYOFEQVthFSRC] References 1. Illig KA, Donahue D, Duncan A, et al. Reporting standards of the Society for Vascular Surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome. J Vasc Surg. 2016;64(3):e23-e35. doi:10.1016/j.jvs.2016.04.039 2. Povlsen B, Hansson T, Povlsen SD. Treatment for thoracic outlet syndrome. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014;(11):CD007218. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007218.pub3 3. Gillard J, Perez-Cousin M, Hachulla E, et al. Diagnosing thoracic outlet syndrome: contribution of provocative tests, ultrasonography, electrophysiology, and helical computed tomography in 48 patients. Joint Bone Spine. 2001;68(5):416-424. doi:10.1016/S1297-319X(01)00331-2 4. Balci AE, Balci TA, Cakir O, et al. Surgical treatment of thoracic outlet syndrome: effect and results of surgery. Ann Thorac Surg. 2003;75(4):1091-1096. doi:10.1016/S0003-4975(02)04603-0