Shoulder Bursitis: Symptoms, Causes & Massage Therapy
Shoulder discomfort can make everyday activities such as reaching overhead, getting dressed, fastening a seatbelt, or sleeping on your side more difficult.
One possible cause of shoulder pain is shoulder bursitis, which involves irritation or inflammation of a small fluid-filled sac called a bursa.
At Pelham Massage Therapy & Osteopathy Clinic in Fonthill, Registered Massage Therapy may be used to address muscle tension and soft-tissue discomfort around the shoulder when appropriate.
What Is Shoulder Bursitis?
A bursa is a small fluid-filled sac that helps reduce friction between tissues.
In the shoulder, the subacromial bursa is located near the rotator cuff tendons and the acromion.
When the bursa becomes irritated or inflamed, shoulder movement may become painful or uncomfortable.
A healthcare professional should assess ongoing or significant shoulder symptoms to determine the cause.
Common Symptoms
People with shoulder bursitis may experience:
Pain around the front or outside of the shoulder
Discomfort with reaching overhead
Pain when lifting
Discomfort when lying on the affected side
Shoulder stiffness
Tenderness
Reduced range of motion
Nighttime discomfort
These symptoms can also occur with other shoulder conditions, so assessment is important.
What May Contribute to Shoulder Bursitis?
Factors associated with shoulder bursitis may include:
Repetitive overhead activity
Sports involving repeated shoulder movement
Previous shoulder injury
Heavy or repetitive lifting
Prolonged irritation of the shoulder
Certain movement or activity patterns
More than one factor may be involved.
How May Massage Therapy Be Used?
Massage Therapy does not directly treat the inflamed bursa.
A Registered Massage Therapist may instead focus on surrounding muscles and soft tissues based on assessment findings.
Treatment may be used to address:
Muscle tension around the shoulder
Neck and upper-back tension
Soft-tissue stiffness
Comfortable movement
Relaxation
Treatment is individualized according to your health history, current concerns, assessment findings, comfort level, and goals.
Areas That May Be Assessed
Depending on the person’s presentation, an RMT may assess muscles and soft tissues around the:
Neck
Upper back
Shoulder blade
Chest
Upper arm
Rotator cuff region
The treatment approach will vary from person to person.
Other Healthcare Considerations
Depending on the cause and severity of shoulder symptoms, care may also involve:
Activity modification
Exercise or rehabilitation
Physiotherapy
Medical assessment
Other healthcare recommended by your provider
Massage Therapy should not replace appropriate medical or rehabilitation care when it is needed.
When to Seek Medical Assessment
Seek appropriate medical assessment if you experience:
Sudden severe shoulder pain after an injury
Significant swelling or deformity
Inability to move or lift the arm
Fever, redness, or unusual warmth around the joint
New weakness or numbness
Persistent or worsening symptoms
Shoulder pain can have many different causes, including bursitis, rotator cuff injuries, frozen shoulder, arthritis, or other conditions.
Can Osteopathy Be Considered Separately?
Osteopathy is a separate service from Massage Therapy.
An Osteopathic Manual Practitioner may assess mobility of the shoulder, upper back, rib cage, neck, and surrounding areas as part of an individualized musculoskeletal assessment.
Whether Massage Therapy, Osteopathy, physiotherapy, medical care, or another approach is appropriate depends on the person’s individual presentation.
Massage Therapy for Shoulder Discomfort in Fonthill, Pelham & Niagara Region
At Pelham Massage Therapy & Osteopathy Clinic, our Registered Massage Therapists provide individualized Massage Therapy based on each client’s health history, assessment findings, current concerns, and treatment goals.
We welcome clients from Fonthill, Pelham, Welland, Thorold, St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Fenwick, Port Colborne, Smithville, Niagara-on-the-Lake, and throughout the Niagara Region.
If shoulder discomfort or muscle tension is affecting your daily activities, a Registered Massage Therapist can assess whether Massage Therapy may be appropriate for you.Related Services