In Australia, bursitis is a common condition, particularly among athletes and people who perform repetitive physical tasks. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, musculoskeletal conditions, including bursitis, affect over 6 million Australians and are the second leading cause of disability in the country.
Bursitis is caused by the inflammation of a bursa, which is a small fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion between bone and soft tissue. A bursa (plural bursae) reduces friction and assists joint movement.
When you overuse or injure a joint, a nearby bursa can become irritated or inflamed. As a result, the bursa fills with excess fluid, causing pain and a reduction of motion.
Other symptoms of bursitis may include:
The shoulder (sub-acromial bursitis), hip (trochanteric bursitis), elbow (olecranon bursitis), knee (suprapatellar bursitis) and heel (calcaneus bursitis) are the most common sites of bursitis.
Factors that can increase the risk of developing bursitis include previous injury, overuse, excessive strain on joints, age, occupation and certain medical conditions.
Even if you feel like you have managed to live with your injury and bursitis pain, it can impact and affect your daily life:
Our team at Canterbury Health Hub (CHH) will first assess your bursitis to determine its cause and severity. Based on the assessment, we will develop an individualised treatment plan.
Treatments at CHH aim to restore proper function and balance to the body, which reduces inflammation and tension caused by bursitis. Our team will tailor a treatment program for you using a combination of soft tissue massage, dry needling, joint mobilisation and manipulation techniques. This helps with resolving and/or managing symptoms for the long term, rather than just for a short time.
Our CHH team will develop a customised exercise plan to address any imbalances or weaknesses in your muscles, which is a vital step in breaking the cycle which may be contributing to your bursitis.
Education and prevention are essential for long-term management of bursitis. The CHH Osteopaths will teach you strategies to manage your injury and bursitis, preventing reoccurrence. Our comprehensive approach, which centres on identifying and addressing the underlying cause of the problem, results in patients completing treatment feeling more comfortable and stronger than when they first started.
Download our FREE Bursitis Recovery Program for more detailed information.
This Program also includes Tips for Avoiding Injections for Bursitis.
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The Canterbury Health Hub Bursitis Recovery Info Pack is the perfect place to start on your journey to recovery. The pack includes helpful information on:
Simply fill in your details in the form below, and instantly download the free Bursitis Recovery Info Pack.