Can a Chiropractor Treat Bursitis?

Bursitis is an inflammatory condition often referred to as working man’s disease. The condition can be very painful and limit mobility, impacting the sufferer’s ability to work, participate in favored activities or perform everyday activities. The good news is that a chiropractor can treat bursitis to relieve the pain and inflammation and help prevent the condition from reoccurring by leveraging the body’s own healing abilities.

What is Bursitis?

Bursitis is an inflammation of the bursa, a fluid-filled sac that provides protection and acts as a cushion between bones, muscles, and tendons. When too much friction or pressure is applied to the bursa, the fluid builds up and inflammation is the result. This type of inflammation can result from overuse, injury, and less commonly from a bacterial infection. Bursitis can affect any joint in the body but is most common in the shoulder, elbow, hip, and knee.

We are more prone to bursitis as we age and men tend to develop it more than women. Other health issues such as diabetes, obesity, gout, and rheumatoid arthritis also increase the risks of developing bursitis.

Common Symptoms of Bursitis

Pain, inflammation, and soreness around a joint are common indicators of bursitis. The affected joint area will appear swollen or red. It is typically easy to diagnose upon examination.

Symptoms of bursitis:

• Pain and stiffness
• Sore to the touch
• Swelling and redness
• Limited range of motion

Bursitis can resolve on its own in a week or two if care is taken to rest the area and eliminate the cause. However, because it is often caused by the friction and pressure of an overuse injury such as those caused by a task required of an occupation, sports participation or even a hobby like gardening further treatment may be necessary to eliminate the flare-up and prevent recurring inflammation.

Chiropractic Treatment for Bursitis

There are many forms of treatment for bursitis depending on the severity and cause of the condition. A chiropractor will treat bursitis with a holistic approach as opposed to prescription pain medication as a temporary solution or more invasive surgical procedures. The chiropractic methods for treating bursitis are very effective at reducing pain and inflammation and restoring movement quickly and naturally.

In my office, my first concern is to relieve my patient’s pain by reducing the inflammation through gentle adjustment and therapeutic use of a cold laser. Resting the area and continuing cold therapy between office visits are typically recommended.

After addressing my patient’s immediate pain, the focus will shift to restoring mobility and flexibility of the affected area to reduce the chances of future inflammation flareups. In some cases, corrective exercise is also recommended to strengthen the surrounding muscles and tendons of the affected joint. Increasing support and better balancing the strain and pressure from a particular motion will help prevent further overuse injury.

If you think you may be suffering from bursitis we can help. Call our office at (845) 592-2237 to schedule an appointment.