What is Bursitis?

Bursitis, also known as a working man’s disease, can occur through repetitive motion or minor impact. A bursa is a sac of fluid that acts as a cushion to protect bones and tendons around a joint. If a joint is overused or under pressure for long periods of time from sport, work or otherwise, a nearby bursa can become inflamed. Pain, swelling and tenderness of a joint are common symptoms of bursitis.

This particular disease is most common in those over 40. Bursitis most commonly strikes in the shoulders in individuals with hobbies such as gardening, raking, carpentry, shoveling, painting, scrubbing, tennis, golf, skiing, throwing, or pitching. Bursitis can also affect the elbows, knees and hips.

How Can Chiropractic Care Help Those with Bursitis?

Chiropractic care can be a great way to manage and relieve swelling and pain caused by bursitis. Routine chiropractic care provides bursitis patients with a safe, non-invasive, non-addictive alternative to prescription medications or over-the-counter pain medications (OTCs), which are commonly prescribed to patients to help them manage their pain and swelling.

Chiropractors deliver a gentle, non-invasive, non-addictive therapy, known as a chiropractic adjustment. Chiropractic adjustments reduce joint restrictions or misalignments in the spine and other joints in the body in an effort to reduce inflammation and improve function of both the affected joint and nervous system. By increasing joint mobility and improving your nervous system function and spinal health, your body has the ability to better manage symptoms caused by bursitis.

Below are some of the health benefits chiropractic care and chiropractic adjustments can provide to bursitis patients:

• Improved joint motion and coordination
• Relief from joint discomfort and pain
• Improved flexibility
• Decreased inflammation

To see if chiropractic care is right for your condition, the chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic will perform a consultation, examination and if necessary, refer you out for diagnostic imaging such as x-ray or MRI. Based on the findings of our chiropractic exam and consultation, your doctor of chiropractic may elect to co-treat your bursitis with other healthcare professionals including massage therapists, physical therapists or other primary care physicians.