Your shoulder impingement isn’t happening by chance. It occurs because the space where your rotator cuff tendons glide has become too narrow. This subacromial space sits between your shoulder blade and upper arm bone – it’s only about 7-10 millimeters wide normally.
When your shoulder blade doesn’t move properly during arm elevation, or when your rotator cuff muscles are weak or imbalanced, these tendons get pinched against the bone above. That pinching creates inflammation, pain, and eventually tissue damage if left untreated.
The solution isn’t just rest and ice. The key is restoring proper scapular rhythm – the coordinated movement between your shoulder blade and arm bone that keeps that space open and allows smooth, pain-free motion throughout your daily activities.