March Newsletter

Rotator Cuff Changes: Not a Life Sentence!

If you're over 40 and dealing with shoulder discomfort, (or even if you're completely pain-free) a brand new study has game changing news for managing rotator cuff issues. Published in JAMA Internal Medicine (Feb 2026), researchers from Finland's FIMAGE study scanned both shoulders of 602 everyday adults aged 41-76 years. The result? 99% had rotator cuff "abnormalities" on high-quality 3T MRI - including tendinopathy, partial tears, or full-thickness tears.

Here's the eye-opener! 96% of completely asymptomatic shoulders (that's 1039 out of 1076 pain-free shoulders) still showed these changes. Even more striking, 78% of all full-thickness tears were found in shoulders with zero pain or dysfunction. For the 492 participants (82%) reporting no shoulder symptoms that week, their scans looked nearly identical to those with mild discomfort.

Why this matters?

Shoulder "pathology" on MRI is basically "the norm" after 40, like grey hair creeping in or those first reading glasses. The study shows these changes increase steadily with age, yet most people stay active and pain-free. Terms like "tear" or "injury" can spark unnecessary fear, leading to scans, injections, or surgery when evidence supports starting with a conservative approach first, assuming no significant functional loss or severe traumatic injury.

3 big takeaways from this study

99% prevalence means your "abnormal" MRI is probably just ageing, not a life sentence!
Pain doesn't match pathology—tendinopathy and partial tears are equally common in painful vs pain-free shoulders.
Conservative care wins: Focus on function over fixing images. Most thrive without invasive interventions.

Source: Ibounig et al, "Incidental Rotator Cuff Abnormalities on MRI", JAMA Intern Med, Feb 2026

Kirsty Got Married!!

Big Congratulations to Kirsty and Robbie!

We're thrilled to share some wonderful news from within our team, our talented remedial massage therapist, Kirsty, has tied the knot!

Last weekend, she married her partner Robbie, and we couldn’t be happier for them both.
Those who know Kirsty know how much joy, care, and positive energy she brings to the clinic. It’s no surprise that her wedding day was full of that same warmth, laughter, and love.

We wish Kirsty and Robbie every bit of happiness as they start this exciting new chapter together. Be sure to pass on your congratulations next time you see her in the clinic!

The Benefits of Dry Needling

At Adelaide Sports, all our practitioners now offer dry needling, an evidence-based technique that helps relieve pain, reduce muscle tension, and restore movement.

How it Works

Fine, sterile needles are inserted into tight or sensitive muscles (known as trigger points) to stimulate a healing response. This quick activation helps relax the muscle, improve blood flow, and ease pain or stiffness. Most people feel immediate relief and notice improved mobility after just a session or two.

Why We Choose Dry Needling?

Fast pain relief: Targets muscle tension and nerve sensitivity to calm both acute and chronic discomfort.
Improved movement: Releases tight muscle bands to restore normal function and make daily activities easier.
Accelerated recovery: Enhances circulation to support healing after injury or heavy training.

A Complete Treatment Approach:

Dry needling works best alongside exercise, stretching, and manual therapy. It’s a safe, medication-free way to reduce pain, support muscle recovery, and get you moving again with confidence.

Curious if dry needling could help you?
Book an appointment or speak with one of our team members on 8333 0111 to learn how it can fit into your treatment plan.

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Featured Products at Adelaide Sports

Did you know we sell Pillar Performance supplements and Sodii Everyday Hydration Salts!