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Shoulder Bursitis
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Shoulder Bursitis Treatment in Perth

Subacromial bursitis is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain — and one of the most responsive to physiotherapy when managed correctly.

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Shoulder Bursitis

Shoulder Bursitis Treatment in Perth

Subacromial bursitis refers to inflammation of the bursa — a fluid-filled sac — that sits between the rotator cuff tendons and the acromion in the subacromial space. It is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain in adults, frequently co-existing with rotator cuff tendinopathy.

The condition is characterised by a painful arc of shoulder movement — typically between 60 and 120 degrees of abduction — and often produces significant pain at night, particularly when lying on the affected side.

Physiotherapy targeting the underlying causes produces excellent outcomes in the majority of cases.

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Satisfaction Guarantee
Have we met your expectations? If not, we will refund your out-of-pocket expense — no questions asked.
Shoulder Bursitis
Shoulder Bursitis
🛡️
Satisfaction Guarantee
Have we met your expectations? If not, we will refund your out-of-pocket expense — no questions asked.

Causes

Common Causes of Shoulder Bursitis

Poor rotator cuff strength — failure to adequately depress the humeral head during elevation
Repetitive overhead activity in work or sport
Scapular dyskinesis — altered scapular movement narrowing the subacromial space
Acromial morphology — hooked or curved acromion reducing available space
Acute trauma — fall onto outstretched hand or direct blow
Rotator cuff tendinopathy producing secondary bursal irritation

Our Approach

The Move Process

01
Confirm Diagnosis
Distinguish bursitis from rotator cuff tear, frozen shoulder, and AC joint pathology through targeted clinical assessment.
02
Reduce Inflammation
Manual therapy, posture modification, and activity management to reduce mechanical compression and allow the acute inflammation to settle.
03
Rotator Cuff Strengthening
Progressive loading of the rotator cuff to restore humeral head depression and subacromial space clearance.
04
Return to Full Function
Graduated overhead loading, sport-specific rehabilitation, and scapular control training to restore full function and prevent recurrence.

Why Move Physiotherapy

What sets us apart

✦
Targeted Treatment
We identify the specific mechanical factors driving your bursitis and target them directly.
✦
Medical Collaboration
When corticosteroid injection is appropriate, we coordinate with your GP and ensure injection is followed by structured rehabilitation.
✦
Satisfaction Guarantee
Have we met your expectations? If not, we will refund your out-of-pocket expense — no questions asked.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does shoulder bursitis take to heal?+
Mild to moderate subacromial bursitis typically shows significant improvement within 6-8 weeks of physiotherapy, with full resolution usually achieved within 3-6 months. Severe or chronic bursitis may take longer.
Should I use ice or heat for bursitis?+
During the acute phase with significant swelling and heat in the shoulder, ice is preferable for symptomatic relief — applied for 15-20 minutes, protected by a cloth. Heat can be useful for muscle tightness and chronic presentations. Neither addresses the underlying cause.
Can I keep training with shoulder bursitis?+
In most cases, modified training is preferable to complete rest. Avoiding overhead loading and movements that reproduce sharp pain, while maintaining lower body and non-painful upper body training, prevents deconditioning.
Is a cortisone injection necessary?+
Cortisone injection is not necessary for all cases. When pain is severe or limiting sleep, injection can be an effective adjunct. However, injection alone without rehabilitation is associated with higher recurrence rates.
What is the difference between bursitis and impingement?+
Subacromial impingement describes the mechanical process of compression of the subacromial structures against the acromion. Bursitis describes the inflammatory response of the bursa to that compression. In clinical practice, they are treated similarly.

Full Treatment Pathway

Related Services

Effective treatment for shoulder bursitis often involves more than one service. Explore the approaches we use as part of a complete care pathway.

General Physiotherapy

Expert assessment, hands-on treatment, and progressive rehabilitation for all musculoskeletal conditions.

Learn more →
Sports Physiotherapy

Sport-specific diagnosis, load management, and criteria-based return-to-sport rehabilitation.

Learn more →
Dry Needling

Trigger point dry needling to reduce muscle guarding, relieve pain, and restore movement quickly.

Learn more →

Ready to get moving?

Beeliar, Booragoon and East Fremantle -- early morning, evening and Saturday appointments available.

Book OnlineCall 08 6113 8062