Watsonia Chiropractic Centre offer quality chiropractic care for shoulder bursitis to local residents in Watsonia & surrounding areas including Macleod, Greensborough, Yallambie, Mont Park, Latrobe & Bundoora
A bursa is a small fluid filled sack that lies between tendons, bones, skin and muscles throughout your body. There are around 160 in the human body and are a part of your normal anatomy. When a bursa becomes inflamed due to increased friction or from an injury or overuse it can become swollen and painful and can interfere with the tissue it’s meant to protect and this condition is known as bursitis.
Causes of Shoulder Bursitis:
Shoulder bursitis, also called subacromial bursitis is a condition usually involving pain on the outside of the shoulder made worse by trying to raise the arms. The pain will often gradually increase over time or with repetitive movements and may be at its worst when laying on the shoulder at night.
Shoulder bursitis may be caused by a trauma, repetitive stress, poor posture or associated with another shoulder condition like impingement syndrome or tendonitis.
Diagnosis
Shoulder bursitis is normally diagnosed through your history, pain pattern and physical examination. X-ray or ultrasound imaging may be required to rule out other conditions.
Treatment
Initial treatment is aimed at reducing the pain and inflammation in the bursa. This may include:
- Extracorporeal shockwave therapy
- Ultrasound therapy
- Ice
- Mobilization of the shoulder, neck and thoracic spine
- Massage
- Dry needling
- Advice on how to avoid aggravating the condition
As the pain eases the emphasis is on strengthening the neck, shoulder and back to prevent the bursitis from returning. Sometimes the bursitis does not respond to conservative care and may require referral for medical treatment, most commonly a corticosteroid injection.
