1. Too Much of a Good Thing
You work hard. You play hard and your joints pay the price, especially your bursa. Your 150+ bursae surround all your major joints. Their job is to soften the motion between your bones and the tendons and muscles surrounding them. Bursitis develops when the bursae are inflamed due to over use or repeat movement. Areas most commonly affected are shoulders, hips, elbows, knees, heels and the bottom of your big toe.
2. Pay Attention to the Pain
Physical exertion usually causes bursitis but not always. Other conditions, such as the gout, infection, arthritis or a frozen shoulder, also cause bursitis. An injured rotator cuff is usually the cause of shoulder bursitis; bursitis in the buttocks results from excessive bicycling and the pain in your hips is associated with excessive standing or sitting. Sports, such as golf, baseball or tennis and vacuuming lead to bursitis in your elbow (tennis elbow). Activities, like ice-skating, or ill-fitting footwear, affect the ankles. Spending too much time on your knees gardening or cleaning causes bursitis in the knee and creates a soft, oval-shaped bump on the joint.
3. Repeat Activity May Be the Culprit
Physical exertion usually causes bursitis but not always. Other conditions, such as the gout, infection, arthritis, or frozen shoulder, also cause bursitis. Shoulder bursitis is linked to an injured rotator cuff. Bursitis in the buttocks results from excessive bicycling and the pain in your hips is associated with excessive standing or sitting. Sports, such as golf, baseball or tennis, and vacuuming lead to bursitis in your elbow (tennis elbow). Activities, like ice skating, or ill-fitting footwear, affect the ankles. Spending too much time on your knees gardening or cleaning causes bursitis in the knee and creates a soft, oval-shaped bump on the joint.
4. Call for Help
Contact your physician if you experience intense, shooting pain for over two weeks; if the affected area is inflamed, tender, bruised, a rash develops or if you run a fever. Also, alert your doctor if you use prescription drugs or suffer from an illness that may raise your risk for infection, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes. Your physician will examine you and takes your medical history to confirm a bursitis diagnosis. Blood tests and X-Rays will verify or refute the presence of other illnesses. Doctors generally recommend prescription medications to reduce inflammation.
5. Homeopathic Treatments Provide Relief
Home remedies also alleviate bursitis pain. Give your body a well-deserved rest. Ice the swollen area throughout the day. This reduces pain and inflammation. Anti-inflammatory medications, like ibuprofen or aspirin, or a corticosteroid injection, relieve tenderness. Elongate your muscles before and after any physical activity. Consider physical therapy that includes range of motion exercises, particularly if you suffer from frozen shoulder. Take frequent breaks when working or exercising. Stay away from hard surfaces. Cushions, elbow pads and foam soften your joints. Wear proper fitting footwear. Bursitis pain usually subsides within two weeks with a treatment plan.
