Shoulder Bursitis Treatment in Kilsyth | Physiotherapy & Myotherapy
What Is Shoulder Bursitis?
Shoulder bursitis refers to pain and irritation involving a bursa in the shoulder. A bursa is a small, fluid-filled sac that helps reduce friction between bones, muscles and tendons during movement.
The subacromial bursa is one of the main bursae in the shoulder. It sits beneath the acromion and above the rotator cuff tendons. When this area becomes irritated, it can contribute to shoulder pain, particularly during movements such as reaching, lifting or working overhead.
Shoulder bursitis can develop following an injury, a sudden increase in activity, repetitive movements or changes in how the shoulder is being loaded.
At Physio Elements in Kilsyth, our Physiotherapists can assess your shoulder pain and determine whether bursitis or another shoulder condition may be contributing to your symptoms.
What Are the Symptoms of Shoulder Bursitis?
Shoulder bursitis can cause a range of symptoms, including:
- Pain at the front or outer part of the shoulder
- Pain when lifting the arm overhead
- Pain reaching behind the back
- Tenderness around the shoulder
- Pain when lying on the affected side
- Reduced shoulder movement
- Pain during sport or exercise
- Difficulty with dressing or grooming
- Shoulder weakness caused by pain
Symptoms can range from mild discomfort to more significant pain that interferes with sleep, work, exercise and everyday activities.
What Causes Shoulder Bursitis?
Shoulder bursitis can develop for several different reasons. Often, it is associated with changes in shoulder loading rather than one specific cause.
Repetitive Overhead Activities
Repeated overhead movements can increase stress around the shoulder and may contribute to irritation of the bursa. This can be associated with activities such as swimming, tennis, cricket, volleyball, painting, electrical work, construction, other trades and repetitive manual work.
Shoulder Injuries
A fall, direct impact or sudden increase in physical activity can contribute to shoulder pain and irritation around the bursa.
Rotator Cuff Dysfunction
The rotator cuff plays an important role in controlling shoulder movement. Changes in rotator cuff strength, capacity or function may contribute to increased sensitivity around the shoulder.
Changes in Shoulder Movement
Changes in shoulder blade movement, posture, muscle strength and movement patterns may also contribute to ongoing shoulder symptoms.
Sudden Changes in Activity
Increasing gym training, sport, work duties or overhead activity too quickly can place additional load on the shoulder and contribute to irritation.
How Is Shoulder Bursitis Diagnosed?
Shoulder bursitis is usually diagnosed through a detailed clinical assessment rather than relying on one specific test.
Your Physiotherapist may assess:
- Shoulder range of movement
- Rotator cuff strength
- Shoulder blade movement and control
- Pain-provoking movements
- Posture and movement patterns
- Neck and upper back function
- Work, sport and exercise requirements
- How your symptoms respond to different loads
Imaging such as ultrasound, X-ray or MRI may sometimes be recommended when needed to investigate other potential causes of shoulder pain or when symptoms are not improving as expected.
How Does Physiotherapy Help Shoulder Bursitis?
Physiotherapy can help manage shoulder bursitis by addressing pain, movement limitations, strength, shoulder loading and factors contributing to ongoing symptoms. Treatment is tailored to your symptoms, lifestyle and individual goals.
Depending on your assessment, treatment may include education, activity modification, manual therapy, joint mobilisation, soft tissue techniques, dry needling, taping, pain management, progressive strengthening and return-to-work or return-to-sport rehabilitation. Your Physiotherapist can also provide advice about modifying work, sport and exercise while your shoulder settles.
The aim is to gradually improve your shoulder’s capacity to tolerate everyday activities, exercise and other physical demands.
What Exercises Help Shoulder Bursitis?
Exercise rehabilitation can help improve shoulder strength, movement and tolerance to activity. Your Physiotherapist may recommend rotator cuff strengthening, shoulder stability and blade control exercises, mobility exercises, upper-back strengthening, functional exercises and progressive shoulder loading, tailored to your symptoms and goals.
Exercises should be progressed gradually as your shoulder improves.
How Does Myotherapy Help Shoulder Bursitis?
Myotherapy can be used alongside Physiotherapy to address muscular tension and soft tissue restrictions that may contribute to shoulder discomfort or movement limitations. At Physio Elements, Myotherapy may focus on the muscles surrounding the shoulder, neck, chest and upper back.
Depending on your individual presentation, Myotherapy treatment may include deep tissue massage, trigger point therapy, dry needling, myofascial release, cupping therapy, stretching, mobility exercises and corrective exercise.
Myotherapy does not directly treat inflammation within the bursa. Instead, it may help address associated muscular tension and movement restrictions as part of a broader approach to managing shoulder pain.
Can Shoulder Bursitis Be Treated Without Surgery?
Yes. Many cases of shoulder pain associated with bursitis can be managed without surgery. Treatment may involve activity modification, Physiotherapy, exercise rehabilitation and other conservative strategies.
If symptoms are severe, persistent or not responding to treatment, your Physiotherapist may recommend further medical assessment to determine whether additional investigation or treatment is appropriate.
How Long Does Shoulder Bursitis Take to Heal?
Recovery time varies between individuals.
Some people experience improvement within a few weeks, while others may require several months of rehabilitation, particularly when symptoms have been present for a longer period or there are ongoing contributing factors.
Your recovery may depend on the severity and duration of your symptoms, your activity levels, work or sporting demands, and how your shoulder responds to rehabilitation.
Should I Exercise With Shoulder Bursitis?
In many cases, appropriate exercise can be beneficial. Completely avoiding shoulder movement for an extended period may contribute to reduced strength and confidence with movement. However, painful activities may need to be temporarily modified while the shoulder settles.
A Physiotherapist can help determine which movements and exercises are appropriate for you and gradually increase the amount of load your shoulder can tolerate.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shoulder Bursitis
Looking for Shoulder Bursitis Treatment in Kilsyth?
If shoulder pain is affecting your work, sport, sleep or everyday activities, our experienced Physiotherapists and Myotherapists can help.
At Physio Elements in Kilsyth, we provide personalised assessment and treatment for shoulder pain, including shoulder bursitis, rotator cuff problems and other shoulder conditions.
Book an appointment with Physio Elements today to get your shoulder assessed and start working towards a stronger, more comfortable shoulder.
Article reviewed by:
Jordan Tierney, Qualified Myotherapist, Advanced Diploma of Myotherapy, Physio Elements, Kilsyth. Nisha, Physiotherapist at Physio Elements, Kilsyth. Master of Physiotherapy (Orthopaedics, Sports & Manual Therapy), University of South Australia.