Bursitis is inflammation of the bursa, a fluid-filled sac that helps provide a cushion between the bones in the hips, knees, shoulders, ankles and elbows. The condition usually feels worse after sleeping on the side that has the bursitis or getting up after having been seated in the same position for awhile. Long walks and climbing stairs can also aggravate bursitis, which means you should approach treadmill training with some caution and awareness.
Bursitis Treatment
Bursitis treatment, initially, involves a change in the conditions that trigger pain. This includes sleeping on your side opposite of the inflamed bursa and reducing activities such as climbing stairs that intensify the pain. If adjusting behaviors doesn't work, cortisone injections into the inflamed area of the hip can often provide lasting relief, though subsequent injections may be needed from time to time.
Treadmill Advantages
Treadmills offer several advantages over walking and running outdoors. Aside from being protected from the elements and having the option of watching television or reading while you walk, treadmills provide a more forgiving walking surface, which takes some of the pressure off the hips, knees and back. If you're in the market for a home treadmill, investigate the shock absorption in a machine you're considering and be sure to try it out to see how it affects your bursitis pain.
Considerations
While running or fast walking may increase hip pain due to bursitis, you can make some adjustments so those activities can be less painful. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends, for example, losing weight to take some of the pressure off your hips and other joints. The Cleveland Clinic suggests that physical therapy, with a focus on improving range of motion and muscle strengthening, can be particularly helpful and allow you to continue to exercise with much less discomfort.
Other Precautions
If you plan to walk or jog on a treadmill and you suffer bursitis, be sure to stretch out before your workout and warm up with some light exercise before you go right into a run. Also, take frequent breaks if you find your walking or jogging is causing you pain. If you're determined to walk or jog for exercise, consider breaking up your sessions on the treadmill with other activities, such as upper body weightlifting, that won't aggravate your hip bursitis.
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