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

Link for my app: https://rehabscience.com/membership/

YouTube SLAP rehab video: https://youtu.be/FwiDJ6hoaYo?si=924NiLBuqPxBri0g

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 with a few exercises that can help with this type of pain.

• 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.

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.

• 📘 Rehab Science: How to Overcome Pain and Heal From Injury

• 🎥 Rotator Cuff Rehab Exercises on YouTube

• 🌐 Rehab Science App