The human body has over 150 bursae, which are fluid-filled sacs. Each bursa has a protective function, especially in joint movement, where soft tissue like ligaments and tendons constantly glide over bones. Therefore, bursae provide the extra padding needed to reduce friction and prevent soft tissue injury. When injured, it’s time for bursitis treatment.
If the bursa becomes inflamed or irritated, you can experience problems in the following areas:
- Elbows (sometimes called tennis elbow)
- Shoulders
- Knees
- Hips or thighs
- Ankles
- Achilles tendon/Heel
What is Bursitis, And What Causes It?
When the bursa becomes inflamed or irritated, this condition is known as bursitis.
Repetitive movements are the major cause of bursitis. For instance, you can overuse a joint by lifting something over your head over and over or playing a musical instrument.
Bursitis can also result when you place too much pressure on the bursa, for instance, by kneeling or leaning your elbows on a particularly hard surface. Injury, trauma to the affected area, being overweight, arthritis, gout, infection, and aging are also associated with bursitis.
What Are the Symptoms of Bursitis?
If you have bursitis, you may notice the following, particularly around joints and muscles:
- Pain or tenderness during movement or when you press on the area
- Achiness or stiffness
- Swelling
- Redness
- Tenderness even when motionless
- Warmth, fever, and chills if there’s a complicating infection
- Limitation of movement
Prevention and Treatment Options for Mild Bursitis
It’s not always possible to prevent all types of bursitis, but doing the following can reduce the risk of this condition:
- Wearing knee and elbow pads.
- Maintaining proper form when lifting – for instance, bending your knees to avoid stressing your hip joints.
- Taking a break from repetitive movements.
- Avoiding activities that trigger the condition.
- Exercising to strengthen your muscles and further protect your joints.
If you’re already experiencing symptoms of bursitis, here are some self-care tips:
- Rest while making sure the area is elevated.
- Protect the affected area by wearing a brace, band, or splint.
- Place ice packs on the affected area.
- Take over-the-counter anti-inflammation medicine like ibuprofen. Ibuprofen is also an effective pain killer.
A Treatment Option for Cases of Severe Bursitis
The self-care treatment options mentioned above are generally effective for minor flare-ups. But for chronic recurrent or severe bursa inflammation, you may need to turn to advanced treatment options. One such option is available in the form of acoustic wave therapy (AWT).
Flagstone Medical Health Group makes this breakthrough option available to you, and their acoustic wave therapy can be a game-changer when it comes to chronic recurrent or severe bursitis treatment.
How does Acoustic Wave Therapy Work, and What Are the Benefits?
When acoustic wave therapy is used in bursitis treatment, the affected area is exposed to low-intensity acoustic sound waves. These waves are not invasive in any way, but they do an excellent job of stimulating the body’s natural healing processes into gear.
Invasive treatments like injections and surgery can be scary and painful, which is why acoustic wave therapy is recommended as the first port of call for individuals seeking relief from chronic recurrent or severe bursitis.
Acoustic wave therapy is not only non-invasive; it also delivers lasting results and is a drug-free treatment with no harsh side effects. Additionally, there’s no recovery time to schedule on your calendar. Once you have the treatment done, you’ll likely be back up on your feet, moving without pain, and running in no time.
In a nutshell, here are some benefits associated with this cutting-edge treatment:
- Increased blood flow through neovascularization (formation of new blood vessels)
- Reduced inflammation
- Pain relief
- Stimulation of soft tissue regeneration
Remember, bursae have a vital function in your body due to their anti-friction mechanism. When you use acoustic wave therapy, your bursae become healthier, restoring function so you can live life without holding back. Read more about the use of acoustic wave therapy in the treatment of various other conditions.
Have More Questions? Here’s How to Learn More
So, there you have it. Although bursitis is a painful and uncomfortable condition, Flagstone Medical Group is waiting on standby to help you. Their non-invasive treatment for chronic recurrent or severe bursitis can deliver the solution you seek.
What’s more, you can start the journey to relief from bursitis now. Simply fill out the form below to schedule a consultation, have your questions answered, or get more information. We will be happy to hear from you and assist in improving the quality of your life!
