Shoulder Bursitis

Physio Elements provides a range of treatments to help sufferers of shoulder bursitis heal, recover and return to their normal activities. This is a very common problem and involves the rotator cuff which is a group of muscles that keep the ball of your humorous inside your shoulder joint. Physiotherapy has proven to be a very effective treatment for shoulder bursitis and can also help to prevent its recurrence.

What is shoulder bursitis?

Inside your shoulder there are five fluid filled sacs (bursae) that aid movement by reducing friction in the joint. All of them can become inflamed and painful, however, it’s the subacromial bursa that’s located close to your rotator cuff that is more likely to become a problem than the others. Repetitive movements where your arms are held over your head, as well as trauma are the two main causes of subacromial bursitis. Trauma can include car accidents or falls, but simple activities such as baseball, tennis and weightlifting can also be responsible.

Symptoms of shoulder bursitis can include pain over the outer aspect of your upper arm, particularly when you raise your arm above the shoulder line. This pain may radiate down your arm and can prevent you from sleeping on the affected side.

Shoulder bursitis is different to a rotator cuff injury and your physiotherapist will be able to differentiate the two, enabling a correct diagnosis.

How do we treat shoulder bursitis?

We treat many people with shoulder bursitis and know that if it’s not healed completely, it can recur if you return to the same activities. Early treatment involves ice, pain relief, resting the shoulder joint, and even a sling to take the weight off the joint. Further treatment focuses on increasing your range of motion and functionality. This is achieved by giving your shoulder sufficient time to heal, whilst introducing gentle movements, stretches and strengthening exercises, as well as massage and dry needling. Sport or activity specific exercises can be included in your treatment so that you can return to your normal daily routine as quickly as possible.

For help healing your shoulder bursitis and preventing it happening again, please call us on 03 9729 7777 or send us an email enquiry.