Has anyone here ever heard of exercise/physical therapy for bursitis?!?

I'm greatly vexed by my rheumatologist, who has decided that physical therapy will build muscle mass in my shoulder, and therefore will relieve my bursitis.

It sounds idiotic to me. I am *already* muscular, and, also, it hurts like hell to move the joint in any way that could be considered exercise. Besides, bursitis is an inflamation of the bursae, and it seems to me that prodding and jostling them isn't going to help anything.

Note: I normally have a cortisone shot once every year or two, but the one I had last August didn't do me any good. The only medication this sadist has prescribed is an anti-inflamitory, which is no stronger than aspirin.

So, am I wrong to think this guy needs to be fired? Or, what?

Thanks for your input, it's apreciated!

P.S. ...ow, that hurts.

As a physical therapist, I mostly agree with you. Yes, making muscles stronger will not make bursitis go away. Yet, when dealing with bursitis, I find the following things:

1. Many cases of partial rotator cuff tears are misdiagnosed as bursitis. In this case, many can be helped with physical therapy.

2. Bursitis can be caused by muscular imbalance between the muscles that control the scapula and hurmerus. In this cases, strengthening and reducation of posture and movement is done through physical therapy.

3. Many times busitis is helped with conservative physical therapy...ultrasound, phonophoresis, etc. Also, education on which movements to avoid in order to prevent inflammation of the bursae...I know it's not strengthening, but that is only one thing that a physical therapist has to offer.

4. A bursae RARELY becomes inflammed for no reason...there is usually some type of injury (see #1) or a bone spur can be constantly irritating it...if the later is the case, many times a surgical subacromial decompression is necessary.

It may be worth a trip to the therapist for an evaluation...many times we have more suggestions for treatment than what the physician recommends. We may also pick up on something the doctor missed (such as rotator cuff dysfunction) Good luck.

It might be worth a shot to try some PT...but most of these cases get worse with exercise. Good luck. Report It

If you have doubts about your doctor's advice, get a second opinion. My Dr. says exercise is good for osteo arthritis, but that's a whole different ballgame.