What is Bursitis?
Bursitis is a painful inflammatory condition that affects the fluid-filled bursa in the joints. The job of the bursa is to provide cushioning inside the joint capsule, but if the bursa is inflamed it makes movement painful and difficult. Bursitis can be caused by injuries, over use or autoimmune conditions. The most common joints to be affected are the shoulder, hip, elbow and knee.
Symptoms include aching in the joint even at rest; pain on movement of the affected joint; swelling, inflammation and heat around the joint; pain can be worse at night; stiffening of the joint to prevent excessive painful movement.
I assess for Bursitis by comparing the affected joint with the unaffected side, looking at range of movement; pain assessment in certain positions; feeling for swelling and inflammation; and joint-specific special tests depending which joint is affected.
Symptoms include aching in the joint even at rest; pain on movement of the affected joint; swelling, inflammation and heat around the joint; pain can be worse at night; stiffening of the joint to prevent excessive painful movement.
I assess for Bursitis by comparing the affected joint with the unaffected side, looking at range of movement; pain assessment in certain positions; feeling for swelling and inflammation; and joint-specific special tests depending which joint is affected.
What kinds of treatments help Bursitis?
The techniques I've found that work the best for people with Bursitis include gentle mobilisations, releasing surrounding muscles, cupping, and taping. This helps to relieve the symptoms while the healing process takes place.
Postural exercises and modifying activities can be helpful in positioning the joint in a non-aggravating way, particularly the shoulder joint because it tends to roll forward and compress the joint space.
Hydrotherapy as an exercise plan can be great because the warm water takes the weight of the joint and allows for more movement with less pain. Our closest Hydrotherapy pool is at Knox Leisureworks in Boronia.
NSAIDs (Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs) can help reduce the inflammation, I find the gels and creams to be a better option than the tablets because it targets the problem area and doesn't impact the digestive system, however always follow your GP or pharmacists advice when using any medications.
Cortisone injections can be prescribed by a GP, the results seem to be quite variable - for some people it works very well, and for some people it works very short term or not at all. (Keep in mind, the people I see are generally the people it hasn't worked for - because if it did work, they have no need to keep getting treatment for their Bursitis!)
Postural exercises and modifying activities can be helpful in positioning the joint in a non-aggravating way, particularly the shoulder joint because it tends to roll forward and compress the joint space.
Hydrotherapy as an exercise plan can be great because the warm water takes the weight of the joint and allows for more movement with less pain. Our closest Hydrotherapy pool is at Knox Leisureworks in Boronia.
NSAIDs (Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs) can help reduce the inflammation, I find the gels and creams to be a better option than the tablets because it targets the problem area and doesn't impact the digestive system, however always follow your GP or pharmacists advice when using any medications.
Cortisone injections can be prescribed by a GP, the results seem to be quite variable - for some people it works very well, and for some people it works very short term or not at all. (Keep in mind, the people I see are generally the people it hasn't worked for - because if it did work, they have no need to keep getting treatment for their Bursitis!)
Get your treatment plan started!
Lets start with your Initial Consultation and Treatment.
A typical treatment plan for Bursitis involves treatment every 1-2 weeks in the beginning, plus prescribed corrective exercises and activity modifications to be done at home.
In addition to Myotherapy, you may see your GP to discuss medical treatment to go hand in hand with your treatment plan.
A typical treatment plan for Bursitis involves treatment every 1-2 weeks in the beginning, plus prescribed corrective exercises and activity modifications to be done at home.
In addition to Myotherapy, you may see your GP to discuss medical treatment to go hand in hand with your treatment plan.
