Blog, Physiotherapy
Shoulder Bursitis Explained: Why It Hurts and How Physio Can Help
Shoulder bursitis is a common and painful condition that can make even the simplest tasks feel difficult, like getting dressed, reaching for a cupboard, or sleeping on your side.
It’s estimated that around 65% people will experience shoulder bursitis at some point in their lives, particularly those who perform repetitive or overhead movements.
When left untreated, it can have a significant impact on your ability to work, exercise, and enjoy everyday activities.
The good news is that with the right treatment, most people can recover well and get back to moving freely.
In this blog post, you will learn about 3 of the following items:
- What is shoulder bursitis
- Common Symptoms of Shoulder Bursitis
- How Can Physiotherapy Help?
What is Shoulder Bursitis?
Our body has small fluid-filled sacs called bursae (singular: bursa), which act like cushions between bones and soft tissues such as muscles and tendons. Their job is to reduce friction and allow smooth movement.
In the shoulder, the most commonly affected bursa is the subacromial bursa, located under the tip of the shoulder blade.
When this bursa becomes irritated or inflamed—often due to overuse, injury, or poor posture—it leads to bursitis. This inflammation can cause pain, restrict movement, and make everyday activities more difficult.
Common Symptoms of Shoulder Bursitis
If you’re experiencing shoulder bursitis, you might notice some or all of the following:
- A dull ache or sharp pain in the outer shoulder, especially when lifting the arm
- Pain that worsens with overhead activities or reaching behind your back
- Tenderness when pressing on the outside of the shoulder
- A feeling of weakness or stiffness in the shoulder
- Difficulty sleeping on the affected side
Left untreated, bursitis can persist and lead to compensations in other areas, such as the neck or upper back.
How Can Physiotherapy Help?
The good news is that physiotherapy is a highly effective treatment for shoulder bursitis.
A thorough assessment is essential to identify the underlying cause, whether it’s muscle imbalance, posture, or movement patterns contributing to the inflammation.
Treatment include:
- Hands-on therapy to reduce muscle tension and improve joint mobility
- Targeted exercises to strengthen the rotator cuff and surrounding muscles, improving stability
- Postural education and ergonomic advice to reduce strain on the shoulder
- Activity modification to avoid aggravating movements while still staying active
- Taping or dry needling (if appropriate) to reduce pain and inflammation
Most people experience a significant reduction in pain and improvement in function within a few weeks of starting physiotherapy, especially when treatment is started early.
Don’t Put Up With Shoulder Pain
Shoulder bursitis doesn’t have to interfere with your life. With the right guidance and treatment plan, it’s a condition that responds very well to conservative care.
If you’re experiencing ongoing shoulder pain, book an appointment with one of our friendly physiotherapists at M Physio Australia.
We’ll help you get back to doing what you love—pain free.
Book an initial consultation with us at M Physio or call us on 1800 992 999 to start getting rid of your shoulder pain!
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Written By:
Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Hons) |
References
Cohen, S. P. (2008). Epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of shoulder pain. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 83(7), 777–788. https://doi.org/10.4065/83.7.777
Gialanella, B., & Prometti, P. (2011). Effects of corticosteroids injection in shoulder bursitis: A prospective study. Muscles, Ligaments and Tendons Journal, 1(2), 59–63.
Kuhn, J. E. (2009). Exercise in the treatment of rotator cuff impingement: A systematic review and a synthesized evidence-based rehabilitation protocol. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, 18(1), 138–160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jse.2008.06.004
Speed, C. (2006). Shoulder pain. BMJ, 332(7543), 1124–1128. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.332.7543.1124
