Understanding Bursitis: Causes, Symptoms, and How Osteopathy Can Provide Relief
Aches and pains around our joints are common, but when a specific spot becomes persistently tender, swollen, and painful to move, it could be bursitis. This condition, involving the inflammation of small, fluid-filled sacs called bursae, can significantly impact your mobility and quality of life.
Osteopathy offers a holistic and effective approach to managing bursitis. Rather than just addressing the site of inflammation, we look at the entire musculoskeletal system to identify and treat the underlying causes, providing a path to lasting relief.
Key Facts About Bursitis
Your Joint's Cushioning System: Bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that act as cushions between bones, tendons, and muscles near your joints. They reduce friction and help tissues glide smoothly during movement.
Common Sites: Bursitis most frequently affects the shoulder, elbow, hip, and knee, but can occur near any joint.
Prevalence: It is a common cause of localised joint pain, particularly in adults, and can be either acute (short-term) or chronic (persisting).
Common Causes of Bursitis
Bursitis typically occurs when a bursa becomes irritated and inflamed. The most common causes include:
Repetitive Motion or Overuse: This is the most frequent cause. Repeating the same movement pattern (e.g., throwing, kneeling, leaning on elbows) places consistent friction and pressure on a bursa.
Direct Trauma or Pressure: A direct blow to a joint or prolonged pressure, such as kneeling on a hard surface for extended periods, can inflame the bursa.
Underlying Musculoskeletal Conditions: Poor biomechanics, muscle imbalances, or joint stiffness can alter how forces are distributed across a joint, leading to increased stress on a bursa.
Pre-existing Inflammatory Conditions: Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or gout can increase the likelihood of bursitis.
Infection (Septic Bursitis): In rare cases, a bursa can become infected through a cut or puncture in the skin near the joint. This is a serious condition requiring immediate medical attention.
Common Symptoms of Bursitis
Localised Pain: Aching or stiffness in the affected joint, which often worsens with movement or pressure.
Swelling and Warmth: The area may appear visibly swollen and feel warm to the touch.
Tenderness: Significant pain when pressing on the specific spot over the bursa.
Pain with Movement: Pain that flares up during specific activities that use the joint.
Reduced Range of Motion: Stiffness that limits how freely you can move the joint.
How Can Osteopathy Help with Bursitis?
Osteopathic management of bursitis focuses on reducing inflammation, restoring normal joint function, and, most importantly, addressing the root cause to prevent recurrence.
During your initial consultation, we will:
Take a detailed history to understand your symptoms, daily activities, and any recent injuries or changes in activity.
Perform a physical examination to assess the affected joint's range of motion, identify areas of swelling and tenderness, and rule out other potential causes of pain.
Conduct a biomechanical assessment to evaluate your posture, gait, and the function of the muscles and joints surrounding the affected area.
This comprehensive approach allows us to create a tailored treatment plan.
What Does Osteopathic Treatment Involve?
Using gentle, hands-on techniques, we aim to:
Reduce Pain and Inflammation: While we avoid direct, aggressive pressure on the inflamed bursa, we use gentle techniques to improve circulation and lymphatic drainage in the surrounding area, which can help reduce swelling.
Address Muscle Imbalances: We use soft tissue massage, myofascial release, and stretching to relax tight muscles that may be contributing to increased pressure on the bursa.
Improve Joint Mechanics: Gentle mobilisation of the affected joint and the joints above and below it can restore normal movement, reducing the friction and irritation that caused the bursitis.
Correct Biomechanical Dysfunctions: We identify and treat issues in your posture or movement patterns that are overloading the joint. For example, hip bursitis is often related to weakness and poor control in the gluteal muscles.
Provide Personalised Advice and Rehabilitation: You will receive guidance on:
Activity modification to allow the inflammation to settle.
Specific exercises to strengthen supportive muscles and improve flexibility.
Ergonomic and postural advice to reduce ongoing stress on the joint.
When to Seek Immediate Medical Help
While most cases of bursitis are non-infectious and respond well to conservative care, it is crucial to rule out more serious conditions. Please consult your GP or seek urgent care if you experience:
Signs of Infection (Septic Bursitis): This includes a fever, chills, the area being red, hot, and very painful, or if you have an open wound near the joint.
Severe, disabling pain that comes on suddenly.
A joint that appears deformed or you are unable to move it.
Sharp, shooting pain or numbness and tingling radiating down the limb.
Your GP can provide a definitive diagnosis and may discuss other management options, such as medication or aspiration, if necessary.
Find Relief from Joint Pain
Living with the persistent pain of bursitis can be frustrating. Osteopathy provides a safe, non-invasive, and drug-free pathway to not only alleviate your symptoms but also to address the underlying causes and empower you with strategies to maintain your joint health.
Click here to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced osteopaths. Let us help you restore comfortable, pain-free movement.
References
*Aaron, D. L., Patel, A., Kayiaros, S., & Calfee, R. (2011). Four common types of bursitis: diagnosis and management. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 19(6), 359-367. [Link: https://journals.lww.com/jaaos/Abstract/2011/06000/Four_Common_Types_of_Bursitis__Diagnosis_and.6.aspx]*
Williams, C. H., & Sternard, B. T. (2023). Bursitis. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. [Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513340/]
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). (2020). Musculoskeletal conditions. [Link: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/chronic-musculoskeletal-conditions/musculoskeletal-conditions]
Disclaimer: This blog post provides general information only and is not intended as a substitute for professional health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a registered health practitioner, such as your General Practitioner (GP) or osteopath, for diagnosis and treatment of health conditions. The information provided is based on the best available evidence at the time of publication but should not be relied upon as a sole source of information. Individual results from osteopathic treatment may vary based on the individual’s specific condition and response to care. In cases of suspected infection (septic bursitis), immediate medical attention is required.