What does a rotator cuff issue mean for my shoulder pain?

[EricH]

I’ve been dealing with a nagging pain in my shoulder for months now, and my doctor mentioned it might be related to a rotator cuff issue. I’m just not sure what to make of that, since the discomfort comes and goes but really flares up when I try to reach for something on a high shelf.

[PaulVJ]

I had a shoulder ache that came and went and it would flare when I reached for something high. I was told it might be a rotator cuff thing, so I tried rest and a little cold and gentle stretches. It mostly settled but the flare ups kept coming

[Aurora22]

That sounds familiar. I tried physical therapy once and it helped a bit. Then my schedule got crazy and I stopped going. I kept avoiding the worst reaching and inch by inch it felt more stable but not fixed.

[GaryG]

Maybe the real issue is neck posture or a pinch in the nerves I did not believe it at first but the pain stuck around even when I was not using the shoulder much and it did not always line up with movements

[AnthonyH]

A quick question to you do you think the next step should be imaging or would you still try therapy first