Bursitis and Bursitic Pain refer to pain caused by inflammation of or injury to a bursa. Many people will experience Bursitis or Bursitic Pain in their lives, due to the nature of their work, sporting activities, or due to the effect of other issues and injuries. Bursitis is caused by the inflammation of a bursa. A bursa is a fluid-filled pocket of tissue that lies between two other structures, that allows these structures to move smoothly relative to each other. Repeated, forceful, or traumatic movements may result in irritation of the bursa, which commonly causes inflammation and swelling of the tissue pocket. This results in the tissue pressing against the structures surrounding it, which causes pain. Bursitis can be acute, as in the case of inflammation following injury in sport, or chronic if it follows a months' long pattern of irritation. Epidemiological research shows that subacromial bursitis alone accounts for a substantial proportion of shoulder pain presentations, with ultrasonographic studies identifying bursitis in up to 44% of symptomatic shoulders (Draghi et al., 2015).
A bursa functions as a low‑friction interface, and its inflammation typically results from repeated, forceful, or traumatic movements. When irritated, the bursal tissue swells, increasing pressure on surrounding structures and generating pain. Repetitive mechanical load is the most consistent driver of bursal irritation, a finding supported by clinical reviews demonstrating that overuse is the leading cause of non‑infectious bursitis (Girish et al., 2011; Somashekar, 2021). Bursitis may present acutely following a specific incident such as a sporting injury or chronically when low‑grade irritation persists for months. Chronic bursitis is particularly prevalent in individuals whose work requires sustained or repetitive movement patterns, with occupational studies noting that manual workers experience bursitis at nearly twice the rate of non‑manual workers (Walker‑Bone et al., 2004; Jonczy et al., 2025).
Symptoms of bursitis are typically aggravated by specific or sustained movements and by continued effort throughout the day. Resting the affected region often provides relief, reflecting the mechanical nature of the condition. The specific cause of bursitis varies with age, occupation, biomechanics, and comorbidities, and this variability underscores the importance of individualised assessment. Load modification is one of the most effective early strategies for reducing bursitic pain, a principle consistently supported in musculoskeletal rehabilitation literature (Brinks et al., 2011). Movement patterns shape the risk profile for bursitis, and movement quality is often the first step toward recovery.
Management of Bursitis depends on the cause of the pain, how it feels and changes over the day, what makes it better or worse, and the length of time you have been experiencing the pain. Your first assessment will explore all of these aspects, laying the groundwork for reducing pain and improving comfort. From there, your treatment plan will be personalised to target the root cause, with a focus on easing pain, restoring free movement, and building strategies to reduce the chance of future flare-ups.
At Atlas Physio, we guide you with practical education, structured care, and ongoing support both in the clinic and at home. To make treatment accessible, we’re open seven days a week with evening appointments available, we offer bulk billing for eligible clients, and there are no gap fees for WorkCover or TAC clients. Get in touch today to take the first step toward moving with ease and confidence, supported by care that is consistent, straightforward, and designed to deliver lasting results.
REFERENCES
Brinks, A., van Rijn, R. M., Willemsen, S. P., Bohnen, A. M., Verhaar, J. A., Koes, B. W., & Bierma-Zeinstra, S. M. (2011). Corticosteroid injections for greater trochanteric pain syndrome: a randomized controlled trial in primary care. Annals of family medicine, 9(3), 226–234.
Draghi, F., Scudeller, L., Draghi, A. G., & Bortolotto, C. (2015). Prevalence of subacromial-subdeltoid bursitis in shoulder pain: an ultrasonographic study. Journal of ultrasound, 18(2), 151–158.
Girish, G., Lobo, L. G., Jacobson, J. A., Morag, Y., Miller, B., & Jamadar, D. A. (2011). Ultrasound of the shoulder: Asymptomatic findings in men. AJR American Journal of Roentgenology, 197(4), W713–W719
Jonczy, M. L., Büchler, L., Mahenthiran, Y., Helfenstein, F., Appenzeller-Herzog, C., & Isaak, A. (2025). Epidemiology, clinical manifestation, diagnosis,and treatment of bursitis iliopectinea: A systematic review. SAGE open medicine, 13, 20503121251317899.
Somashekar, A. (2021). Socioeconomic impact and role of bursitis in joint health. Rheumatology: Current Research, 11(2), 1–3. Retrieved 13th December 2025 from https://www.longdom.org/open-access-pdfs/socioeconomic-impact-and-role-of-bursitis-in-joint-health.pdf
Walker‑Bone, K., Palmer, K. T., Reading, I., Coggon, D., & Cooper, C. (2004). Prevalence and impact of musculoskeletal disorders of the upper limb in the general population. Arthritis & Rheumatism, 51(4), 642–651