Neck & Shoulder

What It Is

SLAP tears are injuries to the labrum of the shoulder, which is a ring of cartilage surrounding the socket of the shoulder joint. In a SLAP injury, the top part of the labrum is injured. This top part is also where the biceps tendon attaches to the labrum. A SLAP tear extends from the front (anterior) to the back (posterior) of this attachment point, and the biceps tendon can be involved in the injury as well (AAOS, n.d.a).

SLAP Tear (Superior Labrum Anterior to Posterior) Anatomy

The labrum is like a rim around the shoulder socket. Imagine a golf tee: it has a rim around the edge which helps to hold the ball in place. It's the same with the glenoid (socket) and the labrum. So the function of the labrum is to make the socket slightly deeper, meaning the joint is more stable (AAOS, n.d.b).

A SLAP tear can be caused by a sudden injury, such as a car accident, a fall onto an outstretched arm, a forceful pull on the arm, a rapid or forceful movement with the arm above shoulder level, or a shoulder dislocation (AAOS, n.d.a). People who do repetitive overhead sports, such as throwing athletes or weightlifters, can also tear the labrum. Many SLAP tears, however, result from the labrum slowly wearing down over time; in people over 30 to 40, some fraying of the top of the labrum is a normal part of ageing (AAOS, n.d.a).

The biceps brachii muscle sits in the upper arm, and it has a tendon that attaches to the top of the labrum. If the labrum tears badly, the biceps tendon can be injured too.

Not a diagnosis — for more information, contact me or another trusted healthcare provider.

Symptoms

How It Feels

Symptoms

Common symptoms include locking, popping, catching or grinding; pain when moving the shoulder or lifting objects, especially overhead; reduced strength and movement; and a feeling that the shoulder is going to "pop out of joint" (AAOS, n.d.a).

Treatment

Self-Care & Treatment

How to Treat a SLAP Tear

In most cases, the first treatment for a SLAP tear is non-surgical (AAOS, n.d.a). This usually includes an exercise programme to restore movement and strengthen your shoulder, which can continue for three to six months and usually involves working with a physical therapist (AAOS, n.d.a). I can guide you through this programme, or support the one your physiotherapist gives you, with exercises, stretching and hands-on work. See the My Approach tab for how I work.

Anti-Inflammatory Medication

AAOS says anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen and naproxen reduce pain and swelling (AAOS, n.d.a). (This medicine information comes from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), not from me. Always check with a pharmacist or your family doctor or nurse practitioner before taking any medicine.)

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor or nurse practitioner

Options outside my scope

Arthroscopic (keyhole) surgery: if pain does not improve, a surgeon may look inside the shoulder with a small camera and thin instruments through small cuts; depending on the type of tear, they may remove the torn part, repair it with stitches, or release the biceps tendon attachment (AAOS, n.d.a).
Corticosteroid injection: an injection that may reduce inflammation and help show whether the tear is the source of pain (AAOS, n.d.a).

How I can help (see the My Approach tab)

Exercises to restore shoulder movement and strength
Hands-on work for the shoulder, neck and upper back
Support for your rehab after surgery, once your surgeon has cleared it

Tips

If you find yourself falling, try not to put your arm out in front of you to catch yourself.
Being involved in a car accident can cause a SLAP tear.
Avoid any forceful pulling on the arm, such as trying to catch an object that is too heavy.
Dislocating the shoulder can cause the labrum to tear.
If your arm is above shoulder level, avoid forceful or rapid movements.
Many people, including young people, start with non-surgical treatment such as physiotherapy (AAOS, n.d.a).

Treatment

My Approach

With a SLAP tear, your doctor or surgeon decides whether you need surgery and sets any limits on how you use your arm. Most people start with exercise-based treatment, and I can guide you through it or support the programme your physiotherapist gives you. If you've had surgery, I need your surgeon's okay before any hands-on treatment, and I work within their protocol.

I start by assessing how your shoulder, neck and upper back move, testing your strength, and checking what you've been cleared to do. We avoid movements that bring on catching or the feeling the shoulder will pop out.

Settling It Down

Hands-on work for the neck, upper back and other arm, which often work overtime
Gentle lymphatic drainage for swelling after surgery, and warm or cool applications in the clinic
Keeping your elbow, wrist and hand moving while the shoulder is protected

Restoring Movement and Strength

Stretches for a stiff shoulder, including the joint capsule, within your cleared range
Rotator cuff and shoulder blade strengthening, starting with gentle holds and light bands
Scar work once the incisions have fully healed
Overhead, throwing or gym-based lifting work only when your team agrees, plus a home programme

Work around the armpit needs your informed consent; chest wall work needs your informed consent and a signed consent form.

What to Expect

Typical Course

Typical course: Most people come once or twice a week at first, then weekly, then less often as you take over the home programme, with a reassessment at about 4 to 6 weeks. The exercise programme usually runs for three to six months; after surgery, the timeline follows your surgeon's plan.

What I Focus On

Working Within Your Team's Limits

Compensation Relief

Shoulder Mobility

Cuff & Shoulder Blade Strength

Gradual Return to Sport

Please read

When to See a Doctor First

When to Get Help

Call 911 or go to the emergency room at your nearest hospital if you have injured your shoulder and it looks out of place or has changed shape, you cannot move your arm, or there is no feeling in your arm (NHS, 2026; NHS, 2023). Do not try to put a dislocated shoulder back in yourself (NHS, 2026).
See your family doctor or nurse practitioner if your shoulder pain is getting worse or does not improve after 2 weeks (NHS, 2023).

Sources

References

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (n.d.a) SLAP tears. OrthoInfo. Available at: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/slap-tears/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (n.d.b) Shoulder joint labral tear. OrthoInfo. Available at: https://www.orthoinfo.org/en/diseases--conditions/shoulder-joint-tear-glenoid-labrum-tear/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
NHS (2026) Dislocated shoulder. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dislocated-shoulder/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
NHS (2023) Shoulder pain. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/shoulder-pain/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).

Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooSLAP Tear (Superior Labrum Anterior to Posterior)

What It Is

SLAP Tear (Superior Labrum Anterior to Posterior) Anatomy

How It Feels

Symptoms

Self-Care & Treatment

How to Treat a SLAP Tear

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor or nurse practitioner

Tips

My Approach

Settling It Down

Restoring Movement and Strength

Typical Course

When to See a Doctor First

When to Get Help

References

Related Conditions

Book a session

Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooSLAP Tear (Superior Labrum Anterior to Posterior)

What It Is

SLAP Tear (Superior Labrum Anterior to Posterior) Anatomy

How It Feels

Symptoms

Self-Care & Treatment

How to Treat a SLAP Tear

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor or nurse practitioner

Tips

My Approach

Settling It Down

Restoring Movement and Strength

Typical Course

When to See a Doctor First

When to Get Help

References

Related Conditions

Biceps Tendon Tear at the Elbow

Biceps Tendon Tear at the Shoulder

Glenoid Labrum Tear

Shoulder Labral Tear

Book a session