If your shoulder still hurts no matter how much rehab you’ve done, this episode is for you. We’re digging into why traditional shoulder rehab fails climbers, what the latest shoulder pain research actually says, and how to build a better plan that gets you back to the wall stronger and more confident.

In this episode, I cover:

• Why most shoulder rehab for climbers is under-dosed and not climbing-specific

• What the research says about pain during rehab and when it’s okay to keep training

• Why posture correction, scapular mechanics, and banded exercises aren’t the full solution

• The truth about MRI findings, rotator cuff tears, and what pain really means

• How I structure climbing-specific shoulder rehab programs, including movement patterns, isolation work, and load progression

Whether you’ve been told you have shoulder impingement, rotator cuff tendinopathy, or just feel like your shoulder isn’t keeping up with your climbing — this episode will help you understand why, and what to do next.

Ready for a plan that’s actually built for climbers?
Book a 1:1 consultation or join the 8-week Shoulder Reset Program to rebuild a stronger, more resilient shoulder.

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In this episode, I unpack why traditional shoulder rehab often fails climbers — and how to rethink the entire approach. Using guided reasoning and evidence from leading studies, we challenge the most common myths about shoulder pain and rotator cuff injuries.

You’ll learn:

🔹 Why rest and avoidance aren’t the answer
We explore why rest often leads to temporary relief but long-term setbacks — and how graded loading is the true medicine for shoulder pain.

🔹 The problem with “banded exercises forever”
Progressive overload matters. We break down what kind of exercise actually works — and what the latest research says about exercise.

🔹 How to train through pain — safely and effectively
We dig into the Smith et al. meta-analysis showing that tolerable pain during rehab isn’t harmful — and may even improve outcomes when managed correctly.

🔹 Why surgery isn't the gold standard — and might not be necessary at all
We review landmark studies showing that:

• Pain does not correlate with tear size (Dunn et al.)

• Most small-to-medium rotator cuff tears can be rehabbed without surgery (Moosmayer et al., Kukkonen et al., Karjalainen et al.)

• Even full-thickness traumatic tears respond well to rehab (Boorman et al., Kuhn et al.)

• Failed surgical repairs don’t always lead to worse outcomes (Holtedahl et al.)

• Sham surgeries work just as well as real ones (Paavola et al., Schroder et al.)

🔹 What effective rehab actually looks like for climbers
We close the episode by showing what real rehab should include: climbing-specific loading, total-body strength, education around pain, and a progressive plan that actually builds capacity instead of avoiding discomfort.

This episode is packed with practical insights and paradigm-shifting takeaways that will help you — or your clients — stop spinning their wheels and start seeing real progress.

🎧 Hit play now and find out why your shoulder rehab hasn’t been working — and what to do instead.

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In this episode, we dive into the complexities of shoulder pain and pathology, particularly in the context of climbing. Natasha explores how MRI findings often reveal abnormalities that may not correlate with pain or dysfunction, challenging the conventional wisdom that structural changes always indicate a problem. Through insights from studies on elite climbers, Natasha reframes the narrative around shoulder health, emphasizing the importance of function over imaging. Discover how to build stronger, more resilient shoulders and why your MRI might not tell the whole story. Tune in to learn when imaging is truly necessary and how to focus on what really matters for your shoulder health.

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Join the Foundational Strength Program

Book an Injury Consultation

Train with me

My Website