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Conditions / Musculoskeletal

Rotator cuff tendinopathy

Shoulder pain from rotator cuff tendon irritation. The term 'impingement' is outdated. Active, progressive exercise is the first-line treatment.

Prescribe

Progressive resistance work at loads the client tolerates - 2-7 sessions weekly in trials
1-3 sets of 4-30 repetitions; plan the block for 12 weeks
Include motor control work for the scapula
Refer on if severe or unimproved after 12 weeks of appropriate care

Avoid, and why

Assuming heavy loading is better - high load did not beat low load for pain or disability
Non-progressive band work, which did not outperform sham
Overhead pressing while symptoms are irritable

How the generator handles this

Max exercise complexity	2
Patterns excluded	vertical_push
Balance work added	No
Clearance required first	No

Exercises automatically excluded: Overhead carry Dumbbell bench press Barbell bench press Seated machine shoulder press Band overhead press Dumbbell shoulder press Barbell overhead press

Sources

Desmeules et al., JOSPT (2025). Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy Diagnosis, Nonsurgical Medical Care, and Rehabilitation: A Clinical Practice Guideline. Source
Active exercise is the Grade A initial treatment. High-load programs did not outperform low-load; non-progressive resistance work did not beat sham. Progression and supervision carry the effect. Refer on after 12 weeks without improvement.