Shoulder Bursitis: Symptoms, Causes & How Massage Therapy Can Help
Shoulder pain can make even simple daily activities difficult. Reaching into a cupboard, fastening a seatbelt, getting dressed, or sleeping on your side may become uncomfortable. One common cause of shoulder pain is shoulder bursitis, an inflammation of the small fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that cushion the bones, tendons, and muscles around the shoulder.
At Pelham Massage Therapy & Osteopathy Clinic in Fonthill, we help many clients experiencing shoulder pain. Massage therapy can often play an important role in reducing muscle tension, improving mobility, and supporting recovery from shoulder bursitis.
What Is Shoulder Bursitis?
A bursa is a small sac filled with fluid that helps reduce friction between tissues. In the shoulder, the subacromial bursahelps the rotator cuff tendons glide smoothly beneath the acromion (the top part of the shoulder blade).
When this bursa becomes irritated or inflamed, it can lead to shoulder bursitis.
Common Symptoms of Shoulder Bursitis
Symptoms may include:
Pain on the outside or front of the shoulder
Pain when reaching overhead
Discomfort when lifting objects
Pain while lying on the affected shoulder
Shoulder stiffness
Tenderness around the shoulder
Reduced range of motion
Pain that may worsen at night
These symptoms can develop gradually or occur after repetitive activity or an injury.
What Causes Shoulder Bursitis?
Several factors may contribute to shoulder bursitis, including:
Repetitive overhead work
Sports such as tennis, swimming, volleyball, or baseball
Poor posture
Rotator cuff weakness
Shoulder impingement
Previous shoulder injuries
Heavy lifting
Age-related wear and tear
Often, more than one factor contributes to the condition.
How Massage Therapy May Help
While massage therapy does not directly treat the inflamed bursa itself, it can help address surrounding muscle tension and movement restrictions that may contribute to shoulder discomfort.
Massage therapy may help by:
Reducing muscle tension around the shoulder
Improving circulation to surrounding soft tissues
Decreasing protective muscle guarding
Improving shoulder mobility
Supporting healthy posture
Helping reduce stress that may contribute to muscle tension
Promoting relaxation and overall well-being
Treatment may focus on muscles such as the:
Upper trapezius
Levator scapulae
Deltoids
Rotator cuff muscles
Pectoralis major and minor
Latissimus dorsi
Rhomboids
Biceps
Your Registered Massage Therapist will tailor treatment to your individual presentation while working within their professional scope of practice.
Additional Treatment Options
Depending on the cause of your symptoms, your healthcare provider may also recommend:
Activity modification
Ice during acute flare-ups
Therapeutic exercises
Stretching
Postural education
Osteopathy
Physiotherapy
Medical assessment when appropriate
A combination of treatments often provides the best results.
When Should You Seek Medical Assessment?
You should seek prompt medical assessment if you experience:
Sudden severe shoulder pain after trauma
Significant swelling or deformity
Inability to lift your arm
Fever, redness, or warmth around the joint
Persistent symptoms that continue to worsen
A proper assessment helps determine whether bursitis, a rotator cuff injury, frozen shoulder, arthritis, or another condition may be contributing to your pain.
Can Osteopathy Help?
Osteopathic Manual Therapy may also help improve shoulder movement by assessing how the shoulder, neck, upper back, ribs, and surrounding joints work together. When appropriate, your Osteopathic Manual Practitioner can evaluate movement patterns and provide treatment aimed at improving overall function.
Self-Care Tips
Along with professional treatment, consider:
Avoiding painful repetitive overhead activities during flare-ups
Applying ice if recommended by your healthcare provider
Maintaining good posture throughout the day
Performing gentle mobility exercises as advised
Gradually returning to activity
Following your home exercise program
How We Can Help
At Pelham Massage Therapy & Osteopathy Clinic, our team provides individualized treatment plans based on your symptoms, lifestyle, and goals. Whether your shoulder pain is related to bursitis, muscle tension, posture, or overuse, we are here to help you move more comfortably and return to the activities you enjoy.
If shoulder pain is affecting your daily life, book an appointment with one of our Registered Massage Therapists or Osteopathic Manual Practitioners to discuss the most appropriate treatment options for you.