Bursitis is not permanent. It can be a short-lived or chronic condition, lingering for several weeks, or coming back repeatedly, if not treated correctly. Appropriate healthcare is an important part of feeling better, so you should have any signs and symptoms evaluated right away.
A chiropractor can assess and diagnose your condition. They can help you understand how long your bursitis symptoms may last. The care you need starts with a comprehensive physical exam and a request for diagnostic tests. Your doctor will explain the benefits of chiropractic care, available treatment options, and your prognosis.
Bursitis Is Not Permanent
Bursitis does not last forever. It will respond to treatment, which should begin as promptly after diagnosis as possible. Bursitis will not typically go away on its own. Even hip bursitis, which affects a large area of your body and can change your gait and stride may respond favorably to treatment.
The start of your treatment plan might involve rest and it can take time to return to your usual routine and normal activities. While not permanent, bursitis can result in long-term muscle or joint damage if you continually stress the affected area.
How Long Bursitis May Last
Bursitis typically responds to treatment but can last from several days to several weeks. It can also have painful and aggravating flare-ups that occasionally recur. Some common causes of recurrence include:
- Failure to seek appropriate medical care
- Not stretching and strengthening your joints
- Not stretching and strengthening your muscles
As you cope with the pain of bursitis, it is natural to have concerns about the way your body reacts to movement in the afflicted area. Performing familiar activities differently, though, can also cause recurrence.
Stick to your treatment plan until your healthcare team determines that you have reached maximum medical improvement. They may prescribe home stretches and other follow-up routines. Keep up with these as well.
What Is Bursitis and How Is It Diagnosed?
Before a chiropractor treats you for bursitis, they will explain exactly what it is and ensure an accurate diagnosis is made. The bursa is a fluid-filled sac that cushions and protects the areas around your bones and tissues. Cleveland Clinic research describes bursitis as degeneration of the bursae that cause pain, irritation, and swelling.
Your diagnosis will involve defining the types of bursitis you have, which can include:
- Subacromial bursitis, affecting the shoulders
- Olecranon bursitis, affecting the elbows
- Prepatellar bursitis, affecting the knees
- Iliopectineal bursitis, affecting the hips
- Ischial bursitis, affecting the bottom
Ischial bursitis can sometimes be confused with sciatica, muscle strains, and arthritis. As it can closely mimic these ailments, a proper diagnosis by your physician is important.
Even your feet can be affected by bursitis, making walking a challenge. While each type of bursitis will affect a different area, all are caused by a swollen area surrounding the bursae.
What Bursitis Symptoms Could Send You to a Doctor?
The symptom that causes the most concern for most bursitis patients is pain. If it worsens when you move the associated body part, you should be alert to other symptoms and seek medical help sooner rather than later. Additional bursitis signs and symptoms include:
- Stiffness and achiness
- Redness at the pain site
- Swelling at the pain site
- Warmth in the damaged joint
You might also have an otherwise unexplained fever and chills, especially if your case of bursitis was caused by an infection. Infection is a rare cause, though, with more common causes that can include:
- Sports
- Raking
- Painting
- Carpentry
- Scrubbing
- Shoveling
- Gardening
- Poor posture
Playing a musical instrument can also cause bursitis. All these activities have one thing in common—repetitive motion and muscle overuse. Non-repetitive motion causes include misaligned joints, bone spurs, and having different leg lengths. Your chiropractor will discuss your symptoms, activities, and lifestyle to determine the cause of yours.
What Chiropractic Treatments Are Available for Bursitis?
Chiropractic medicine focuses on the way your body and its system connect and relate to each other. It treats musculoskeletal disorders and nerve damage by providing pain relief without reliance on medications.
It offers multiple disciplines for treating bursitis and its accompanying pain and inflammation that make movement difficult.
How Physical Therapy Treats Bursitis
Physical therapy, also called physiotherapy, can increase range of motion and relieve pressure points. It can also restore strength in weakened joints with targeted stretches and gradual extensions without stressing the bursitis site.
Pain Management for Bursitis Relief
Chiropractic pain management therapies use hot and cold techniques to soothe injured areas and reduce inflammation. They are sometimes combined with effective pain medications. Medication could be necessary if your bursitis is caused by an infection or if the fluid in your bursa becomes infected.
Rehabilitation Can Promote Long-Term Relief
Long-term pain management can keep you feeling better. Rehabilitation combined with corresponding complementary treatments and therapies can extend the effects of your treatments.
Massage Therapy Can Soothe Aches and Pains Away
The gentle pressure and strategic muscle stimulation of massage therapy simultaneously promote relaxation and healing. Your healthcare team will explain the variety of massage techniques and which will offer you the most relief.
Joint Manipulation Can Relieve the Pressure of Bursitis
Bursitis affects your joints, so relieving pressure on those areas also lessens pain. This technique is applied carefully to avoid putting too much pressure on the joint, which can cause added aggravation.
Neurology to Treat Afflicted Nerves
The joints in your body contain lots of nerves. Depending on where bursitis is afflicting you, treating the nearby nerves with chiropractic care can provide pain relief.
Call Naples Community Injury Center for Help Treating Bursitis Pain
If you are suffering from the pain of bursitis, your condition can be treated. Bursitis is not permanent, though the pain can last for a long time—weeks or even months—without appropriate medical treatment.
Chiropractic care for bursitis is available. Get the pain relief you need by contacting Naples Community Injury Center today at (239) 631-5445.
