CrossFit gets blamed for a lot of shoulder injuries — but the real story is more complicated.

In this episode of The Shoulder Blueprint Podcast, orthopedic shoulder surgeon Dr. Caleb Davis sits down with physical therapist Luke Bram to break down what’s actually safe in CrossFit, what quietly destroys joints, and how to train for long-term shoulder health.

This is a practical, no-nonsense conversation for lifters, athletes, coaches, and anyone who wants their shoulders to still work decades from now.

We cover:

• Why CrossFit gets so much hate — and when it’s deserved

• The real injury drivers: fatigue, ego lifting, and poor recovery

• How training needs to change after 25, 30, and 40

• When Olympic lifts build power — and when they become dangerous

• Why tendons fail even when muscles feel strong

• How slow eccentric training helps treat tendonitis and prevent injury

• The role of wearables (WHOOP, Oura) in smarter recovery decisions

We also dive into modern rehab and sports medicine:

• Dry needling, cupping, electrical stimulation, and blood flow restriction

• What these modalities do, when they help, and when they don’t

• Why steroids and anti-inflammatories don’t heal tissue — but can help you rehab

• How surgeons and physical therapists decide when surgery is necessary

Plus:

• Shoulder instability and labrum injuries

• Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis): phases, night pain, injections, therapy, and surgery

• Why diabetes makes frozen shoulder harder to treat

Educational only. Not medical advice.