Supraspinatus

Overcoming Supraspinatus Tendonitis & Tears
The supraspinatus is the most frequently injured muscle of the rotator cuff. Resting at the very top of your shoulder, it is responsible for lifting your arm away from your body and keeping your shoulder joint centered during movement.
Because the supraspinatus passes through a narrow bony tunnel (the subacromial space), it is highly susceptible to "impingement," repetitive strain, and tearing—especially during overhead sports or reaching tasks.
Is your Supraspinatus the source of your pain?Supraspinatus injuries typically present as:
  • A deep, dull ache in the shoulder that may radiate down the side of the arm.
  • Sharp pain when reaching overhead, brushing your hair, or putting on a jacket.
  • Night pain: An inability to sleep on the affected side.
  • A sense of weakness when trying to lift or hold objects at shoulder height.
How Shockwave Therapy Accelerates Supraspinatus RepairThe supraspinatus tendon has a "critical zone"—an area with naturally poor blood supply. This is why these injuries often become chronic; the body simply lacks the "fuel" (blood flow) to finish the repair. Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) changes this by providing a biological "jumpstart."

1. Targeted Biological Repair
Shockwave therapy uses mechanotransduction to turn physical sound waves into cellular healing:
  • Neovascularization: It triggers the growth of new micro-capillaries, flooding the "critical zone" of the tendon with oxygen and nutrients.
  • Collagen Restoration: It stimulates the production of Type I and Type III collagen, the essential building blocks needed to "knit" a partial tear back together.
  • Growth Factor Release: It signals the body to release healing proteins that accelerate tissue regeneration.
2. Advanced Pain Control
Shockwave therapy offers a dual-action approach to pain:
  • Nerve Desensitization: High-frequency waves "overload" local pain receptors, providing immediate relief (hyperstimulation anesthesia).
  • Substance P Reduction: It lowers the concentration of Substance P, the chemical responsible for transmitting chronic pain signals to your brain.
3. The Gold Standard for Calcific Tendinitis
​If your shoulder pain is caused by calcium deposits (calcific tendinitis), Shockwave is the most effective non-surgical treatment available. The acoustic pulses mechanically fragment the "toothpaste-like" calcium, allowing your body to reabsorb it naturally.
Clinical Research: Why it WorksAt Granville Physio, we prioritize evidence-based care. Research consistently supports the use of Shockwave for the supraspinatus:
  • High Success Rates: A study in the Journal of Physical Therapy Science found that Shockwave therapy resulted in a significant increase in shoulder range of motion and a decrease in pain for patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy compared to traditional therapy alone.
  • Superior to Injections: Clinical trials published in the International Journal of Surgery showed that for chronic rotator cuff issues, Shockwave provided better long-term functional outcomes and fewer side effects than corticosteroid injections.

Restore Your Shoulder Performance Today.  At Granville Physio, we don't just treat the symptoms; we rebuild the tendon. We combine Shockwave Therapy with a customized "tendon loading" program to ensure your shoulder stays strong and resilient.