Shoulder Tendinitis or Bursitis? Here Is What Helps.
Shoulder Tendinitis or Bursitis? Here Is What Helps.
Sharp pain reaching for the seatbelt. A dull ache stopping you sleeping on that side. Weakness lifting anything overhead. That is usually shoulder tendinitis and subacromial bursitis flaring together in a classic shoulder impingement pattern. We treat this every week at our Bexley North physio clinic (and Marrickville location). Whether it is rotator cuff tendinitis, supraspinatus tendinitis, painful arc syndrome or an early rotator cuff tear, our shoulder physio Sydney team can help. Same day shoulder physiotherapy appointments available today.
What is shoulder tendinitis and bursitis?
Shoulder tendinitis (also spelled tendonitis) is irritation of one of the shoulder tendons. The most common culprit is the supraspinatus tendon, which is part of your rotator cuff.
Subacromial bursitis is irritation of a small fluid filled cushion (the subacromial bursa) that sits under your acromion bone. Tendon and bursa share the same tight tunnel, so they usually flare together.
Together, they drive most cases of shoulder impingement and painful arc syndrome. The good news is that a well structured shoulder rehabilitation program helps most people avoid cortisone or surgery.
How do I know if I have shoulder tendinitis or bursitis?
- Sharp shoulder pain reaching overhead or out to the side (classic shoulder impingement pattern)
- A dull ache in the shoulder that gets worse with activity and lingers at night
- Difficulty sleeping on the affected shoulder
- Weakness lifting anything overhead or reaching behind your back
- A painful arc of movement between about 60 and 120 degrees of raising the arm
- Pain reaching for the seatbelt, hanging out washing or putting on a shirt
- Gradual onset shoulder pain with no obvious injury
- Grinding or clicking in the shoulder joint with movement
What causes shoulder tendinitis and bursitis?
- Repetitive overhead activity in swimmers, tradies, painters and gym goers
- A sudden increase in gym pressing, pull ups or throwing volume
- Poor scapular control that pinches the rotator cuff and subacromial bursa
- Weak rotator cuff muscles relative to the loads being asked of the shoulder
- Age related tendon changes, especially in the supraspinatus tendon
- Poor posture and forward rounded shoulders reducing subacromial space
- Old shoulder injuries or rotator cuff tears that were never properly rehabilitated
- Sudden return to sport or work after a period off (a common shoulder physio Sydney presentation)
Same day shoulder physiotherapy appointments available. 📍 20 Shaw Street, Bexley North 2207. No referral needed. Walk in friendly.
What does shoulder rehab actually involve?
Our physio team at PHYZFIT (Julian De Rosa, Ari Moushis and Sam Nunan) treats shoulder tendinitis and subacromial bursitis across our Bexley North physio and Marrickville physio clinics using a modern evidence based approach. Every shoulder rehabilitation plan is built around your specific irritability, your work and sport, and your longer term shoulder strength goals.
Accurate Diagnosis
We identify whether you are dealing with rotator cuff tendinitis, subacromial bursitis, a rotator cuff tear or a frozen shoulder pattern.
Hands On Therapy
Joint mobilisation, soft tissue release and dry needling to settle irritated shoulder tendons and bursa.
Rotator Cuff Strength
Progressive rotator cuff strengthening and scapular stabilisation. This is the highest evidence intervention for shoulder tendinitis.
Movement Retraining
Correcting scapular control and pressing mechanics to take load off the rotator cuff and subacromial bursa.
Return to Sport & Work
Structured return to overhead sport, gym pressing or trade work so the shoulder pain does not come straight back.
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What happens at your first physio visit?
Book in 60 Seconds
Book online or over the phone. Same day appointments available. No referral needed.
Your Initial Assessment
Your physio conducts a thorough shoulder joint assessment and identifies exactly what is driving your pain.
Your Treatment Plan
You leave with a clear shoulder rehabilitation plan and a timeline you both agree on.
Ongoing Support
We adjust every step of the way and liaise with your GP or specialist if needed.
6 mistakes that slow shoulder recovery
- Push through sharp shoulder pain on overhead exercises. That is the fastest way to escalate shoulder tendinitis into a bigger problem.
- Rely on rest alone. Prolonged rest weakens the rotator cuff and shoulder pain almost always returns.
- Rush to a cortisone injection as your first step. Research shows physio led rehab has better long term outcomes for most shoulder tendinitis and subacromial bursitis presentations.
- Endlessly stretch the shoulder hoping it will release. Stretching an irritated tendon or bursa often makes it worse.
- Skip the scapular stabilisation and rotator cuff strengthening work. This is the part that actually resolves the underlying shoulder impingement pattern.
- Assume shoulder surgery is inevitable. Most cases of shoulder tendinitis and bursitis resolve with well structured shoulder physiotherapy.
⚠️ When to seek urgent care
- Sudden severe shoulder pain following a fall or dislocation
- Inability to lift the arm at all following an injury
- Numbness, pins and needles or weakness travelling down the arm
- Shoulder pain combined with chest pain, jaw pain or breathlessness (call 000)
- Rapid onset shoulder swelling, redness or warmth (possible infection)
Frequently Asked Questions
Shoulder Physio at Our Bexley North Clinic
Our PHYZFIT Bexley North physio clinic is your local shoulder physio Sydney option, easy walk in from the whole southern Sydney and inner south west catchment. We treat shoulder tendinitis, shoulder bursitis, subacromial bursitis, rotator cuff tendinitis, supraspinatus tendinitis, shoulder impingement, painful arc syndrome, rotator cuff tears, frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis), shoulder blade pain and neck and shoulder pain. Same day shoulder physiotherapy appointments are available today. No referral needed. Medicare, all major Private Health funds, NDIS, SIRA, WorkCover and DVA all accepted.
📍 Address: 20 Shaw Street, Bexley North 2207 NSW · 📞 Phone: (02) 8021 0969 · 🕒 Hours: Mon to Fri 7am to 7pm, Sat 7am to 12pm.
Our Bexley North physio clinic is easy to get to from Bexley, Kingsgrove, Beverly Hills, Bardwell Park, Bardwell Valley, Earlwood, Turrella, Arncliffe, Wolli Creek, Rockdale, Kogarah, Hurstville, Penshurst, Mortdale and Riverwood. Prefer our inner west location? Our Marrickville physio clinic (4 Carrington Road, inside World Gym) covers Marrickville, Newtown, Enmore, Dulwich Hill and the broader inner west.
Ready for Us to Help You With Your Pain?
Same day shoulder physiotherapy at our Bexley North physio clinic. 📍 20 Shaw Street, Bexley North 2207. Also available at our Marrickville location. No referral needed.
PHYZFIT Health and Rehab | Shoulder tendinitis, shoulder bursitis, subacromial bursitis, rotator cuff tendinitis, supraspinatus tendinitis, shoulder impingement, painful arc syndrome, rotator cuff tear, frozen shoulder, shoulder rehabilitation, shoulder physio Sydney, shoulder pain Bexley North and sports physio Sydney | Bexley North and Marrickville | Helping you rebuild trust in your body and live a life without limits.