Remedy for Supraspinatus Bursitis With Impingement

The supraspinatus is one of four muscles, each with tendons connecting them to bones, that make up the rotator cuff in the shoulder. Supraspinatus bursitis occurs when excess fluid in the bursa sac (which normally prevents friction between joint cartilage and bones) causes swelling (tendinitis) of the supraspinatus tendon. Consequently, the tendon has trouble moving between the humerus (the upper-arm bone) and the acromion (the knob of the shoulder blade) and gets pinched (impingement) during certain arm movements. A remedy or non-surgical treatment for this often painful condition usually includes rest, ice, heat, massage and certain exercises.

Rest, Ice and Heat

• If you lift weights or use your shoulders a lot at work, you should rest your affected shoulder for a few days. This will prevent further swelling in your supraspinatus muscle. It can also prevent the muscle from tearing. During this period of rest, ice your shoulder at 20-minute intervals every three to four hours. Ice will alleviate your inflammation and pain by reducing blood and lymph flow to the supraspinatus muscle. Press an ice pack directly against your painful shoulder. After 48 hours, if the inflammation, pain and swelling have subsided, use heat to promote healing blood flow to the affected area.

Medications

• You should also take ibuprofen or naproxen to reduce supraspinatus bursitis with impingement. These anti-inflammatory medications are COX-2 inhibitors that reduce inflammation and pain by limiting the effects of COX-2 enzymes, the body's natural inflammatory response to joint friction or injuries. You doctor may also prescribe oral steroids or give you a cortisone shot if your pain is more severe.

Massage

• According to Brad Walker, 20-year sports injury consultant, on his Thestretchinghandbook.com site, "massage is one of the best ways to increase blood flow to an injured area, and of course the oxygen and nutrients that go with it." Massage also reduces scar tissue formation. Scar tissue can make you more susceptible to future supraspinatus bursitis problems.

Exercises

• Once the initial swelling subsides, stretching and strength-building exercise for the rotator cuff, including the supraspinatus muscle, can help alleviate bursitis and shoulder impingement symptoms in this area. Following are some exercises that can help relieve some of your symptoms:

  Clasp your hands behind your back. Slowly lift your arms upward, keeping your arms straight. Hold this position for 15-20 seconds, then relax. Do three to four repetitions. (For additional exercises, see references 1 and 2 below.)

  Pull your elbow toward your chest and hold that position for 15-20 seconds. Repeat with other arm, as this will help prevent any inflammation in that shoulder.

  Lie on your side on a bench with your elbow bent at 90 degrees. Place a light dumbbell (or book) in your hand and lift it upward while keeping your upper arm against your side (like a forehand swing in tennis). Repeat up to 10 times.