Bursitis occurs when the bursa sac inside of your shoulder joint becomes inflammed and painful. The bursa is inside your joint to provide lubrication and cushioning for bone intersections. Bursitis can make using your shoulder painful. A painful shoulder can be uncomfortable to move, but not moving your shoulder can make your condition worse by causing you to lose muscle. This may even lead to a frozen shoulder, a condition in which the shoulder joint will not move. Physical therapy aimed at increasing movement and strength is a good way to rehab your shoulder joint.
Goals of Physical Therapy
Physical therapy for a rotator cuff bursitis is aimed at improving two aspects of shoulder function. These are range of motion and strength. When you first begin your physical therapy treatment the physical therapist will begin with exercise to improve the motion and flexibility of your shoulder joint. When range of motion has increased, the next step is to improve your strength by challenging the muscles of the shoulder joint.
Pendulum
The pendulum exercise should be a rather pain free way of increasing the motion of your shoulder joint. To perform this exercise bend forward at your hips so that you are facing the ground. Support yourself with your good arm if needed. Lower the injured arm so it is hanging and slowly move it in a circular motion, trying to get as far in each direction as you can without causing pain. Go in each direction 10 times for three sets.
Wall Crawl
The wall crawl is another exercise aimed at increasing range of motion. Stand facing a wall and place your injured arm's hand on the wall. Slowly crawl your fingers up the wall as high as you can without pain. Hold the highest position for a few seconds, then slowly crawl your fingers back down. Repeat this exercise for three repetitions of three sets.
Rotation Exercises
You can move onto the rotation exercise when you begin to gain range of motion. This exercise will require a resistance band. Fix one end of the band to a fixed object and hold the other end with your injured arm. Stand away from the fixed end so the resistance band is tight and keeping your elbow bent and your arm against your side. Your hand should be positioned out and away from your body and slowly rotate it in toward your body for the internal rotation exercise. To perform the external rotation exercise start with your hand grasping the resistance band against your body and slowly rotate it to the position out and away from your body. Perform both exercises for one to three sets of 10 to 15 repetitions.
Flexion and Extension Exercises
These exercise are also for improving strength and you will need a resistance band. For the flexion exercise, tie one end of the band to a fixed object and stand with your back facing the tied end. With the other end of the band in your hand, slowly raise your straightened arm up to shoulder height and then lower it back down to the starting position. To perform the extension exercise, turn around and face the tied end of the resistance band and with a straightened arm extend your arm back behind you. Hold for a second then return to the starting position. Try to perform one to three sets of 10 to 15 repetitions.
