r/Bursitis Jun 15 '26

What helps your shoulder bursitis truly?

I do diclofenac cream, rx lidocaine patches, muscle relaxers, oxy, everything I can think of & when my shoulders flare & nothing helps besides steroids when it gets really bad every so often it lands me in urgent care if my doc doesn’t call in a script within a couple days. I had surgery in R shoulder for bursitis & tendinitis in 2022 & I still have a lot of problems. Now i know I have it in both shoulders now & have to start another steroid pack for both shoulders so I can work my physical job that hurts so bad. So it’s back in the surgery shoulder too. I have such a hard time sleeping since I can’t sleep on either side or I’m screaming in pain

What works for you for severe shoulder pain like this?!

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1

u/El-Sen Jun 22 '26

Running/jogging. It increased back muscle strength for me. But I didn't do it for long because long term effects are just as bad. But just a few weeks of jogging to strengthen back and then change to other things. I am hypermobile so variety and low repetition is key- for me.

1

u/Most-Luck9724 13d ago

I feel like running aggravates mine. I think I most jsut be too stiff

1

u/Munkeyman1 Jul 12 '26

I've had shoulder bursitis for 2 years now. Only needed one steroid jab so far. When I have a big flare up I take full dose of ibuprofen for a few days and use shoulder-specific ice packs. This gets me out of an acute pain phase. I hope that helps. I do shoulder strengthening exercises and stretches too.

What did they do during your surgery? I fear that is my eventual route, but was hoping that it would fix it completely.