Shoulder Bursitis: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment. 

Shoulder bursitis is a common condition that causes pain and limits movement in the shoulder. It can affect your daily life, sleep, and even neck comfort. In this post, we break down everything you need to know about shoulder bursitis: symptoms, causes, treatment, and when to get help.

What is Shoulder Bursitis?

Shoulder bursitis happens when small, fluid-filled sacs called bursae in your shoulder become inflamed. These sacs help reduce friction between bones and soft tissue. When inflamed, they cause pain, swelling, and limited movement.

Bursitis can be acute (short-term), chronic (long-lasting), or in rare cases, septic (infected).

What are Symptoms of Shoulder Bursitis?

If you have shoulder bursitis, you might notice:

• Sharp pain, especially with moving the arm away from your body and with overhead movements
• Shoulder weakness
• Pain at night or when lying on the affected side
• Limited range of motion or motion that is limited due to pain

What Causes Shoulder Bursitis?

Shoulder bursitis is often caused by repetitive movements or overuse of the shoulder. Common causes include:

• Sports like swimming, tennis, or baseball
• Jobs that involve heavy lifting or overhead work
• Repetitive or prolonged movements outside your capacity
• Shoulder injuries or trauma

What Shoulder Bursitis Feels Like

It usually feels like a deep, aching pain in the top or side of your shoulder. Movements like lifting your arm or reaching overhead make it worse. Some people also feel pain radiating to the neck. And most often it’ll radiate down the top of your arm.

How is Shoulder Bursitis Diagnosed?

A shoulder specialist will ask about your symptoms and do a physical exam. They may also order imaging tests such as:

• Clinical diagnosis based on subjective reporting
• So special tests can provoke the irritable bursa
• Ultrasound or MRI (to see soft tissue damage or inflammation)

How is Shoulder Bursitis Treated?

Most of the time, shoulder bursitis improves with conservative treatment. This includes:

• Rest and avoiding painful movements
• Ice or heat therapy
• Anti-inflammatory medications (like ibuprofen)
• Physical therapy with specific strengthening exercises

If pain continues, a doctor might recommend:

• Cortisone injections to reduce inflammation
• Minimally invasive surgery (in rare cases)

Can Shoulder Bursitis Cause Neck Pain?

Yes. While neck pain isn’t a direct symptom of shoulder bursitis, it can happen. Pain may radiate from your shoulder to your neck due to:

• Referred pain (when pain is felt in another area)
• Compensatory movements (using your neck muscles more to avoid shoulder pain)
• Muscle imbalances (tight or weak muscles pulling on your neck)

How Long Does Shoulder Bursitis Last?

Recovery time depends on how severe it is and how soon you start treatment. Mild bursitis can go away in a few weeks with rest and care. Chronic cases may take months to fully heal.

Can I Workout if I Have Shoulder Bursitis?

You’ll need to modify your workouts. Avoid shoulder-heavy exercises like lifting weights away from your body, overhead movements or push-ups. Low-impact activities like walking, biking, or lower body workouts are usually safe. Your physio can guide you on specific exercises that won’t irritate the bursa.

Seek Help From a Physio That Knows About Shoulder Bursitis Near You

If your shoulder pain doesn’t improve or keeps coming back, at Sydney Muscle & Joint Clinic, we provide expert care to help you recover quickly and safely.

What Causes Neck and Shoulder Pain?

Neck and shoulder pain often go hand in hand. This is because they share nerves, muscles, and connective tissues. Pain in one area can easily spread to the other.

Alternatively, changes in movements to compensate for weakness or to reduce pain can cause something called shrug sign – this can cause the muscles on top of the shoulder and neck to become irritated and lead to neck pain.

Neck and Shoulder Pain Causes

Cervical Radiculopathy

This happens when a nerve in your neck is pinched or irritated. It can cause pain, tingling, or numbness that travels from your neck to your shoulder and arm.

Shoulder Bursitis

As mentioned earlier, inflamed bursae in the shoulder can lead to pain that radiates to the neck.

Rotator Cuff Injury

Tears or strain in the rotator cuff muscles cause pain, especially during movement. It often feels like a dull ache in the shoulder that can also affect the neck.

Shoulder Impingement Syndrome

This condition happens when shoulder tendons are pinched during movement. It leads to pain, swelling, and limited motion.

How Is Neck and Shoulder Pain Diagnosed?

Doctors use a physical exam and may order tests like:

• X-rays or MRI scans
• Special cervical physical tests to provocate the neck joints and discs
• Diagnostic injections

How to Relieve Shoulder and Neck Pain

Try these home remedies:

• Use heat to relax tight muscles
• Take over-the-counter pain relief
• Rest and avoid activities that cause pain
• Do gentle repeated movements like cervical retraction or cervical retraction with rotation.

What Is the Best Treatment for Shoulder and Neck Pain?

Most cases improve with conservative care:

• Physical therapy targeting strength and non-irritable movements
• Medications
• Corticosteroid injections

Surgery is usually a last resort for severe or persistent issues.

When to See a Physiotherapist

You should see a physio if:

• Pain doesn’t go away after a few weeks
• You have numbness, tingling, or weakness
• Pain interferes with sleep or daily life

FAQs about Shoulder Bursitis

Q: How do I know if I have shoulder bursitis or something else?
A: Shoulder bursitis usually causes aching pain that gets worse with movement. See a physio for a proper diagnosis.

Q: Will shoulder bursitis go away on its own?
A: Mild cases often improve with rest and care. But if symptoms last more than a few weeks, you should seek treatment.

Q: Is shoulder bursitis permanent?
A: No, with the right treatment and care, most people recover fully.

Q: Can I massage shoulder bursitis?
A: Gentle massage may help, but always check with your doctor or physio first.

FAQs about Sydney Muscle & Joint Clinic

Q: Where is Sydney Muscle & Joint Clinic located?
A: We are based in Sydney, Australia. Check our contact us page for specific details.

Q: What services do you offer?
A: We pride ourselves on evidence-based treatments that target musculoskeletal pain relief, including physiotherapy, chiropractic care, and exercise rehab.

Q: Do I need a referral to book an appointment?
A: No referral needed! Just give us a call or book online.

Q: Do you treat shoulder bursitis?
A: Yes, our experienced practitioners regularly treat shoulder bursitis with personalised care plans.

For expert support and relief from shoulder bursitis, contact Sydney Muscle & Joint Clinic today. Let us help you get back to doing what you love—pain-free!