I just had complex rotator cuff surgery in October, and my surgeon has a specific protocol for PT to follow - NO pulleys, and a lot of other limitations while it heals. I am glad he is conservative because I have had few real painful days or nights but I am progressing on schedule.

My PT has a rule - pain above 4 during therapy means you are doing the wrong exercise, doing the exercise wrong, or something is wrong in there and we consult the surgeon.

I have to retrain my brain, because 4 has been my constant "background" pain level on the shoulder for a couple years, I don't always notice when it fires off a higher level. Sometimes he sees strain on my face or my form gets bad and tells me to back off or stop.

Is your PT fully supervised, and your form watched carefully while you do your exercises so you know the right way to do them at home?