Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooSubacromial Bursitis

Subacromial bursitis is when a bursa in the shoulder becomes painful and swollen (inflamed). A bursa is a fluid-filled sac that cushions the joint and reduces friction (NHS, 2023). There are several bursae in your shoulder, but the subacromial bursa is the most commonly inflamed. The subdeltoid bursa isn't as commonly inflamed.

Subacromial bursitis is a common cause of shoulder pain and is often related to shoulder impingement, where the bursa and rotator cuff tendons are pinched between the bone at the top of the shoulder (the acromion) and the top of the arm bone when you raise your arm (AAOS, n.d.).

Subacromial Bursitis Anatomy

The shoulder joint is a ball and socket, and next to it is the acromioclavicular joint (ACJ). The ACJ is the joint between the collarbone (clavicle) and the top of the shoulder blade, known as the acromion. The subacromial bursa (sub = under, acromial = the acromion) sits between the acromion and the rotator cuff tendons below it. It helps the rotator cuff tendons, including the supraspinatus, glide smoothly when you move your arm (AAOS, n.d.).

How Do You Get Shoulder Bursitis?

How to Treat Subacromial Bursitis

How Long Does it Take to Recover from Shoulder Bursitis?

Shoulder impingement usually gets better in a few weeks or months (NHS, 2024), although complete recovery can take several weeks to months (AAOS, n.d.). Recovery may take longer when the bursitis is caused by, or comes with, other shoulder conditions such as those mentioned above.

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor or nurse practitioner

Tips

• Whether you are sitting, standing, walking or lying down, try to keep good posture.
• Do a series of exercises to help improve stability and strength in your shoulder.
• Avoiding whatever seems to cause the impingement is key to preventing shoulder bursitis.
• Overusing the shoulder joint can cause the bursa to become inflamed and irritated.
• Ask me about using ice at home, and if so, how often.

A bursa is a small fluid-filled cushion that lets the rotator cuff tendons glide under the top of your shoulder. When it's irritated, it doesn't like being squashed or rubbed. My aim is to settle it down, then build strength and control in your shoulder so it copes with your work, sport and daily tasks again.

I start by assessing how your shoulder and shoulder blade move, the strength of your rotator cuff and shoulder blade muscles, and your neck and upper back posture, and I'll ask what brings the pain on. Bursitis often comes with a sore tendon or impingement, so this shapes the plan.

When It's Sore

• No direct pressure on the bursa, and no dragging of the tissue over it
• Easing the neck, upper back, chest and shoulder blade muscles that tighten around a painful shoulder
• Gentle joint mobilisation and pain-free movement so the shoulder doesn't stiffen
• Warm or cool applications in the clinic, and I'll show you how to use ice safely at home
• Cutting back overhead reaching and repeated lifting, rather than stopping everything

As It Settles

1. NHS (2024) Shoulder impingement. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/shoulder-impingement-syndrome/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
2. NHS (2023) Bursitis. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bursitis/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
3. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (n.d.) Shoulder impingement/rotator cuff tendinitis. Available at: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/shoulder-impingementrotator-cuff-tendinitis/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
4. Beard, D.J., Rees, J.L., Cook, J.A. et al. (2018) 'Arthroscopic subacromial decompression for subacromial shoulder pain (CSAW): a multicentre, pragmatic, parallel group, placebo-controlled, three-group, randomised surgical trial', Lancet, 391(10118), pp. 329–338. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(17)32457-1