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If you've ever dealt with bursitis, you know how much of a pain it can be — literally. Not only can this condition be pretty uncomfortable, but it can also stop you from doing some of the activities that you enjoy the most. Let’s look at bursitis, its common symptoms and causes, and, most importantly, how to manage it without the use of medication.
What is Bursitis?
Let’s start by better understanding bursitis. Bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that act as cushions between bones and soft tissues like muscles, tendons, and skin. They help reduce friction and allow for smooth, pain-free joint movement. When they become inflamed, however, they can cause significant discomfort and limit your ability to move the affected area. Bursitis is most common in the elbows, also called tennis elbow, the hips, and the shoulders. It can also appear in the knees.
Common Symptoms of Bursitis
How do you know if you might have bursitis? Here are some common symptoms to watch for:
- Pain in the joint when moving it: Typically, this is a dull ache or stiffness around the affected joint, which can become sharp when raising your arm above your head, bending the elbow, or walking.
- Pain at night: Discomfort that tends to increase in the evenings or when sleeping.
- Swelling: The area around the joint may become swollen and tender to the touch.
- Redness: The skin over the inflamed bursae might appear red and warm.
- Limited range of motion: If you can’t move the joint to its full range of motion forward, backward, and in a circular motion if the pain is in your hips and shoulders, you may have bursitis.
Causes of Bursitis
Bursitis can be triggered by a variety of factors. Some of the most common causes include:
- Repetitive motion: Activities that involve repetitive movements or pressure on a joint, such as running, cycling, or even prolonged kneeling, can lead to bursitis.
- Injury: A sudden impact or injury to the joint can cause the bursae to become inflamed.
- Infection: Though less common, bursitis can result from an infection, particularly if the bursae are located near the surface of the skin.
- Underlying conditions: Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout can increase the risk of developing bursitis by causing chronic inflammation in the joints.
Chiropractic Treatments That Can Be Used for Bursitis
Some of the most common treatments include RICE: rest, ice, compression (to reduce swelling), and elevation. This is a good place to start before you see a chiropractor or another doctor for treatment. Medication can also be prescribed to reduce inflammation and pain. However, many people try to avoid the use of medicines, especially for long-term use.
Chiropractic care is effective in relieving inflammation and restoring range of motion for many patients. Rest will also be involved to allow the bursae to return to normal. At Village Chiropractic, we offer a range of treatments designed to alleviate pain and promote healing in the best way possible for each of our patients. A treatment plan is created for each patient based on their pain and where the pain is located. Several types of treatment may be included to get the best results as quickly as possible.
Cold Laser Therapy
Cold laser therapy is one of our go-to treatments for bursitis. This innovative therapy uses low-level lasers to penetrate the skin and target the inflamed bursae. The laser light stimulates cellular activity, which reduces inflammation and promotes tissue repair. One of the best parts? It's a painless procedure that can significantly reduce your bursitis symptoms without any downtime.
Myofascial Acoustic Compression Therapy (MyACT)
Myofascial Acoustic Compression Therapy, or MyACT, is another treatment we use for bursitis. MyACT uses focused acoustic waves to target specific areas of myofascial tissue surrounding the inflamed bursa. This therapy is especially effective at releasing tension and improving blood circulation in the affected area. This reduces pain and inflammation in the bursa. It's a powerful tool in our arsenal for treating bursitis and helping our patients get back to their normal activities.
Spinal Adjustments
As inflammation is reduced, it’s also important to return your range of motion in the joints. A spinal adjustment realigns the spine and joints to help your body move as it should. Typically patients require a few adjustments to get the spine to realign and stay there. Talk to the chiropractor about how many are recommended and if it’s right for you based on where the bursitis is located. Each one takes only a few minutes.
Knee Traction
If bursitis is affecting your knees, knee traction might be used. Knee traction involves gently stretching the knee joint to reduce pressure on the bursae and improve joint mobility. This treatment helps to alleviate pain by enhancing blood flow to the affected area, promoting faster healing, and reducing inflammation. It's a simple yet effective way to get relief from bursitis pain and regain your mobility.
Why Choose Chiropractic Care for Bursitis?
You might be wondering why chiropractic care is a good choice for treating bursitis. Here are a few reasons why we think it's a great option:
- Personalized Treatment Plans: At Village Chiropractic, we create customized treatment plans that address your specific condition and needs. We take the time to understand your unique situation and develop a plan that's tailored just for you.
- Non-Invasive: Chiropractic treatments are non-invasive, meaning there are no surgical procedures or long recovery times. You can get relief from your bursitis pain without the risks and downtime associated with surgery.
- Holistic Approach: We believe in a holistic approach to health and well-being. Chiropractic care considers your overall health and provides comprehensive treatment that supports your body’s natural healing processes. We focus on treating the root cause of your pain, not just the symptoms.
Bursitis Treatment at Village Chiropractic
Bursitis isn’t fun, but with the right treatment, you can manage the pain and get back to your normal activities. At Village Chiropractic, we’re committed to helping you find relief with treatments like cold laser therapy, knee traction, and spinal adjustments. Our goal is to provide personalized, non-invasive care that supports your body’s natural healing processes.
If you’re struggling with bursitis or other joint pain, schedule an appointment with us today at our office in The Woodlands, and start your journey to pain-free living.
