How to Treat Shoulder Bursitis Pain

Shoulder bursitis is an overuse condition that is caused by inflammation within the small fluid-filled sacs called bursae. A bursa prevents rubbing between the bones, muscles, and tendons. When a bursa in your shoulder becomes inflamed it’s called shoulder bursitis. Treatment often begins with home remedies to reduce inflammation and pain. If that does not solve the issue then surgery or other medical interventions may be necessary.

Resting the Shoulder Joint

If you have bursitis in your shoulder joint the first thing you need to do is stop any movement that causes pain. It is possible for bursitis to develop if you’ve suffered from other shoulder conditions, such as; tendonitis, rheumatoid arthritis or impingement. You need to allow the rotator cuff and bursa time to heal. Don’t completely immobilize your shoulder as this can lead to stiffness and end up causing a decrease in your range of motion. Just give your shoulder time to head and modify movements before you start up your favorite activities.

How to Deal with Shoulder Pain at Night

Compression & Support

A shoulder brace or support can help remind you to avoid extra movements to allow your shoulder time to heal. The compression from a brace will work to minimize swelling which can ultimately reduce pain. Wear it on your affected shoulder whenever you need extra support or need a gentle reminder to avoid using that arm.

Compare Shoulder Supports Here

Exercises or Physical Therapy

Once the initial injury phase has passed start an exercise program or work with a physical therapist to get you back onto the road to recovery. The goal of physical therapy and exercise will be to strengthen the shoulder muscles, regain any lost range of motion, and restore flexibility. Those muscles and tendons will be tight and weak after resting. Make a point to exercise every day to regain your pre-injury strength.

Effective Shoulder Bursitis Stretches and Exercises

Cold Therapy Tactics

Cold therapy is one of the standard treatments for muscle and joint injury. The cold from an ice pack or another source numbs pain by interrupting the pain signal to the brain. It also constricts the blood vessels in the affected area which decreases swelling. Use an ice pack for 20 minutes at a time. Give your skin plenty of breaks in between icing sessions to prevent skin injury. 

Moist Heat

Moist heat uses a combination of heat and moisture to penetrate through the skin to relax tense and injured muscles. A hot shower, steam towel, hot water bottle, or moist heating pack are all great choices to achieve the benefits of moist heat for shoulder bursitis. When compared to dry heat, moist heat has been shown to provide better pain reduction and less skin irritation. Avoid using moist heat if you have injured or broken skin.

How Alternating Hot & Cold Therapy Can Help Injuries

Topical Pain Creams

There are several topical pain creams on the market. All provide pain relief, just in different ways. There are creams that create a sensation of hot or cold which interfere with your body’s ability to feel pain. Other creams are topical anesthetics that contain lidocaine and even CBD  to numb the area. Whichever kind you choose for your shoulder you’ll want to check that it won’t cause skin irritation. Test a small area of your skin before you apply it to the whole affected area.

Assistive Device

When you have joint pain it can be difficult to keep up with your everyday activities. Thankfully, there are a few assistive devices that can make your life a little bit easier. A reacher grabber can help grab things high up on a shelf without having to reach your arm overhead. When you’re showering a long-handled sponge can assist in reaching places on your body without having to move your arm too much. There are a lot of great items out there that can help you as your body heals.

Treatment for More Severe Cases

Anti-Inflammatory Medications

Taking an over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) like ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve) can alleviate some of your pain. These medications are generally well-tolerated and have minimal side effects. Use them whenever you have pain and before exercise to allow you to perform all the necessary movements. Always talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking a new medication.

Corticosteroid Injections

Cortisone injections use a powerful steroid medication that is directly injected into the affected area of the shoulder. This medication will decrease inflammation and pain. Many patients find great success with steroid injections, while others do not. Talk to your doctor to determine if you are a good candidate for this treatment option.

Antibiotics

If an infection causes your bursitis then you will need an antibiotic for treatment. Your doctor may take a small sample of the fluid within the bursa for testing to determine the exact type of infection. It’s important to take your antibiotics as prescribed and not to stop before the whole prescription is completed. There is a risk that the infection from the bursa could travel to your bloodstream, which is a serious complication.

Surgery

If other treatments do not prove successful within 6 to 12 months then your doctor may recommend surgery. Shoulder bursitis surgery is typically done arthroscopically. This means the surgeon inserts a tool into a small incision to either remove damaged tissue or to remove the bursa. The exact type of surgery you will have will depend upon the severity of your condition and several other factors.

What to Expect from Treatment

Shoulder bursitis treatment is aimed at reducing inflammation and pain within the fluid-filled sacs of the shoulder called the bursae. Resting, ice, over-the-counter medication, and bracing are all treatments that can get you back to your baseline. When these treatments are not enough then cortisone injections or even surgery may be necessary. Talk to your doctor to ensure you are on the right path to a full recovery.