Welcoming Megan Desjardins to Pittwater Chiro
We’re excited to introduce the newest member of our team at Pittwater Chiro, Megan Desjardins. With a strong foundation in movement science and a calm, Megan is passionate about helping people better understand their bodies. Originally from Canada, Megan was drawn to Australia — and the Northern Beaches in particular — for its natural beauty and active lifestyle. She is excited to support the local community to stay active, manage pain, and continue enjoying everything this area has to offer. A journey shaped by movement From a young age, Megan developed an appreciation for movement and looking after the body. Growing up, she remembers watching her dad do callisthenics at the park and wanting to copy everything he did. That early exposure stayed with her and gradually shaped the way she views health and movement today. As Megan explains, we often don’t think about everything our bodies do for us until something starts to hurt or stops working properly. This awareness drew her to chiropractic — a profession that combines movement, function, and hands-on care in a meaningful way. She values helping people shift their mindset from frustration toward appreciation of what their body is capable of. Education and clinical training Megan completed her undergraduate degree in Kinesiology in Canada, where she developed a strong foundation in human movement, biomechanics, and exercise science. She then went on to complete her Master of Chiropractic at Macquarie University, receiving extensive training in musculoskeletal assessment, manual therapy, rehabilitation, and evidence-based patient care. Now in her early years of clinical practice, Megan is looking forward to continuing her professional development while supporting patients with their musculoskeletal health. A special interest in chronic and complex pain Megan has a particular interest in working with people experiencing chronic pain, whether involving the spine or extremities. These cases are often complex and require a deeper understanding of the bigger picture — something that suits the way she approaches care. Having family members who have lived with chronic pain has given Megan insight into how discouraging and draining long-term pain can be. As she puts it, pain doesn’t just affect the body — it can impact confidence and outlook too. Being able to support someone who has been struggling for a long time and help them begin to feel improvement again is what Megan finds most rewarding. One of her most meaningful experiences involved assisting an older gentleman with ongoing knee pain. Through care focused on pain management, movement, and strength, his walking distance and overall quality of life improved, helping him maintain greater independence in daily life. Megan’s approach to care Megan takes a structured yet supportive approach to patient care. She begins by addressing the main issue that brings someone into the clinic, to help them feel better as early as possible. From there, she focuses on identifying and addressing the underlying cause, rather than simply managing symptoms. As things improve, care gradually shifts toward active rehabilitation and self-management. Megan’s goal is for patients to feel confident managing their condition independently, while also recognising the value of maintenance care when appropriate — much like servicing a car to keep it running well over time. What to expect in your first appointment Patients seeing Megan for the first time can expect a calm, thorough, and unhurried appointment. She takes the time to understand what’s been going on through a detailed history and physical examination, ensuring everything is clearly explained along the way. Open communication is a key part of Megan’s care. Patients are encouraged to ask questions at any stage, to leave their first appointment feeling informed, comfortable, and reassured about their care plan and next steps. Why Pittwater Chiro? Megan was drawn to Pittwater Chiro because of how closely the clinic’s philosophy aligns with her own approach to care. She enjoys working in a clinic that is well-equipped with a range of treatment options and is particularly excited to integrate shockwave therapy into patient care. She is also looking forward to being part of a vibrant, supportive team and learning from colleagues who are passionate about helping people move and feel better. Techniques and services Megan offers Megan enjoys delivering care that combines: All care is tailored to the individual, taking into account comfort, goals, and personal preferences. For those new to chiropractic, Megan encourages open communication and involvement in the process. Manual adjustments are just one tool available, and patients are always supported to make informed decisions about their health. Supporting the local community Being part of the Northern Beaches community inspires Megan to help people move well in their everyday lives. She hopes to support the local community through education, preventative care, and encouraging active lifestyles. She is an approachable and trusted healthcare provider that people feel comfortable turning to. We’re excited for you to meet Megan Desjardins and experience her calm, considered approach to chiropractic care. To celebrate Megan joining the Pittwater Chiro team, both new and existing patients can enjoy 50% off their first appointment with Megan. Book online: pittwaterchiro.com/contact Take the first step toward moving better and feeling more confident.
Is surgery for a rotator cuff tear necessary?
When it comes to a rotator cuff tear, one of the most common questions patients and healthcare providers grapple with is: should we opt for shoulder surgery or stick with conservative care (chiropractic/physiotherapy/massage/osteopathy)? The answer can be more complex and depends on various factors, including the severity of the tear, patient preferences, and long-term goals. Let’s dive into the current recommendations and evidence to help guide this decision. First off, let’s break down what a rotator cuff tear means A rotator cuff tear is damage to the tendons and muscles that stabilise the shoulder joint. These tears can be traumatic (caused by an injury) or degenerative (resulting from wear and tear over time). Symptoms can include pain, weakness, and limited range of motion, however, some individuals may have a tear in their rotator cuff without any significant symptoms. Research suggests the most commonly torn tendon is the supraspinatus tendon 70 – 85% of the time. Do I have to go under the knife? Many people believe that a rotator cuff tear means either undergoing surgery or living a life of pain and disability. Realistically this isn’t true. Rotator cuff tears are common and should be seen as a normal part of aging, like wrinkles and grey hair. Research shows that rotator cuff tears can be present without causing any symptoms, especially in individuals over 50. One study found that if you are over the age of 50, a rotator cuff tear seen on a scan is twice as likely not to cause symptoms, and this increases to four times as likely by the age of 80. Progressions vs. Stability Research suggests that roughly 50% of rotator cuff tears progress in size over 5 years, full thickness tears are more likely to progress in size when compared to partial thickness tears. Partial tears are relatively stable in the short to intermediate term. There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that small full-thickness tears can remain stable and even heal over 3 – 4 years. Tear progression is shown to be negatively impacted by the following things: Another common misconception regarding rotator cuff tears is the way these tears look. Many people believe all tendons are thick rope-like structures at the end of all our muscles, while this is true for some tendons, like those in our forearms and biceps, it is not true for all tendons. In reality, tendons vary in shape and structure, and some are a lot flatter, broader and thicker than others, like those of the rotator cuff. The rotator cuff tendons form a broad, continuous structure around the shoulder joint. This is where a helpful analogy to explain rotator cuff tears plays a role, which is the “hole in a blanket”. Because the tendon is so thick and broad, when a tear occurs, it is like a hole in a large blanket. Just because there is a hole, it doesn’t mean the rest of the blanket is useless. This analogy helps to visualise and understand that the rest of your tendon can still function well, and can be strengthened without creating further damage. Now let’s compare conservative care and surgery Conservative care includes chiropractic care, physiotherapy, osteopathy, exercise physiology, or any other allied health practitioners who can help with your injury without operating on you. At Pittwater Chiro, our treatment would involve a blend of hands-on techniques to assist with pain reduction alongside at-home pain management strategies, exercise prescription to help strengthen the rotator cuff and its surrounding muscles, advice on temporary modifications to work, sports or hobbies which may be aggravating the pain, and advice on how to return to your normal activities in the future. The hands-on treatment we provide can include massage and other soft tissue release techniques, joint mobilisations and manipulations, shockwave therapy, dry needling, and cupping Shoulder surgery is usually considered when conservative care fails to provide adequate relief or when the tear is severe. Surgical options include: Rotator Cuff Tear Summary When considering if surgery can alter the progression of a rotator cuff tear, research has found that surgery does not change the underlying tendon biology which causes the rotator cuff to tear. Therefore, the likelihood of recurrent symptoms and poor functioning of the rotator cuff following surgery can be similar to the likelihood of progression without surgery. Research also suggests that the traumatic onset of a rotator cuff tear is not a sufficient reason to choose surgery over non-operative care. Regardless of whether your tear is non-traumatic or traumatic onset, the first line of care for anyone with partial or full-thickness tears according to the evidence is a period of non-surgical conservative care. For those suffering from a non-traumatic partial or full-thickness tear, individuals benefit from activity modification, chiropractic care, and therapeutic exercise, and if this fails then there is the consideration for a corticosteroid injection. References A B C
