Why Choose Chiropractic Care for Bursitis?

Many clients choose chiropractic care for bursitis because it is non-invasive, can help you recover faster, and does not call for any potentially addictive pain medications. Chiropractic medicine also helps you learn stretches and exercises that benefit your condition in the long term.

Bursitis is a painful condition occurring in joints, especially knees, wrists, and elbows. It is caused by the swelling of the bursa, a liquid-filled sack located between a bone and a moving part, such as a muscle or a tendon, according to the National Institute for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. This kind of condition is extremely debilitating, preventing people from doing their work or simple daily chores, such as carrying grocery bags or gardening.

Many people who suffer from bursitis prefer to rely on the traditional RICE treatment method: rest, ice, compress and elevate. However, the doctors at Specific Care Chiropractic recommend choosing chiropractic care for bursitis. In this article, we will explain why the RICE method is not the best choice for you and how the chiropractic approach adds more benefits to your overall health and well-being.

Why RICE for Bursitis Is Not the Best Course of Treatment

The RICE method is basically a passive treatment method. You simply protect the painful area, apply ice to reduce pain, and wait for the inflammation to subside. This method is slow, preventing you from returning to work for several weeks. During this time, you are losing the wages your family depends on.

Moreover, waiting for bursitis to heal on its own may favor the development of scar tissue in the injured joint. When you make a full recovery, you realize that your joint is no longer as strong and flexible as it used to be.

The approach of chiropractic care for bursitis is different because it aims to restore the full use of the injured body part.

How Does a Chiropractor Benefit You During the Treatment of Bursitis?

Before creating a plan for chiropractic care for bursitis, a chiropractor will send you to have an X-ray of the painful joint. In this way, the doctor will have a clear diagnosis and know the extent and severity of the inflammation.

Here are some of the main reasons why chiropractic care for bursitis is the best treatment plan for anyone:

1.Faster Recovery

In our experience, patients who seek chiropractic care for bursitis as soon as they experience pain and tenderness in the joint heal after just a few treatment sessions. In less than two weeks, you regain the full use of your joint and can perform all your daily tasks, including work activities.

Office workers who suffer from bursitis in the wrists are among the most frequent types of patients we get. The level of pain they experience prevents them from using a keyboard and mouse.

2. Non-Addictive Treatment Method

Bursitis pain can be debilitating and cause many people to seek medicated pain relief. In some cases, they cannot alleviate pain with NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and go to their doctor to get a prescription for opioids. This is a very dangerous path to follow, as it may lead to addiction.

By contrast, chiropractic care for bursitis does not involve any kind of medicine, taken either by mouth or injection. The chiropractor’s adjustments will alleviate pain in a natural way, by reducing swelling and inflammation. During the entire treatment course, the chiropractor will ask you to self-evaluate your level of pain and adjust the chiropractic care for bursitis accordingly, as well as prescribe physiotherapy if necessary.

3. Helpful Advice for Avoiding Further Occurrences

The main cause of bursitis is overuse of the joint. Professional athletes and manual workers are the most at-risk categories of people to develop this condition. While it is impossible to refrain from performing the physical tasks involved in your job, the chiropractor will help you find a new, healthier work routine.

During the individual plan for chiropractic care for bursitis, the chiropractor will evaluate various aspects that may have contributed to your condition, such as:

Your body posture while performing manual tasks
The protective equipment you use
How often you take breaks.

Depending on the findings, the chiropractor will give you a list of helpful tips that will help you continue performing these tasks and protect your joints from further injury.

4. Treating the Root Cause of Bursitis, Not Just the Symptoms

Chiropractors aim to address the root cause of your injury, not just your symptoms. Depending on the type of bursitis you have, your chiropractor will create a custom treatment plan that targets your condition at the source, rather than just alleviating your symptoms temporarily.

5. Rehabilitation for Long-Term Results

Most chiropractors focus on whole-body wellness, meaning they’ll not only teach you exercises to address your bursitis but also improve your strength, flexibility, and overall physical ability. Your chiropractor may also encourage lifestyle adjustments to benefit you over the long term, such as staying active and maintaining a healthy diet.

6. Customized Treatment Plan

Unlike other types of doctors, chiropractors and physical therapists create a treatment plan that is unique to you and your needs. Your doctor will assess your condition, listen to the details of your symptoms, and create a treatment plan that suits your needs. Plus, your chiropractor will continue to assess your condition throughout your treatment so they can regularly adjust your plan.

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Physical Therapy Can Also Help Treat Bursitis

Certain types of bursitis, such as hip bursitis, can greatly benefit from physical therapy. A physiotherapist may recommend any of the following types of treatments:

Massage therapy, which can address the chronic pain bursitis often causes. Massage can also help promote faster healing because it increases circulation throughout the body.
Stretching and strength training that teaches you how to remain flexible and strong. You may notice decreased pain with stretching and strength training, as your range of motion will increase. Your physical therapist may also recommend that you continue practicing the exercises they teach you at home for best results.
Electrical muscle stimulation (E-STIM), which is useful in reducing inflammation and chronic pain in bursitis patients. Your physical therapist will use a device to send gentle electric pulses to the site of your bursitis.
Ultrasound therapy, which improves blood circulation and heals damaged tissue.
Rehabilitation, or rehabilitative therapy, helps improve range of motion, mobility, strength, stability, and balance. This type of physiotherapy treatment is often prescribed for patients who suffered an injury that led to bursitis.
Corrective care, which is generally used after a chiropractic adjustment to treat chronic pain and help you feel better.

Your chiropractor and physical therapist can work together to create a treatment plan that includes both chiropractic and physiotherapy methods. This way, the treatments they recommend will complement each other for a well-rounded treatment against bursitis.

Types of Bursitis and How They Occur

While bursitis is generally a temporary condition, it can cause pain, discomfort, and a limited range of motion. Bursitis can also affect you in any bursa in your body, meaning you could deal with:

Hip bursitis
Kneecap bursitis
Knee bursitis
Posterior Achilles tendon bursitis
Retromalleolar tendon bursitis
Elbow bursitis

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, bursitis often occurs because of injury, overuse, or infection. Issues like arthritis, gout, tendonitis, diabetes, and thyroid disease can cause bursitis.

Symptoms You May Notice If You Have Bursitis

If you notice any of the following symptoms, you may want to visit a chiropractor for bursitis treatment. Your doctor may diagnose you with bursitis if you’re dealing with any of the following symptoms:

Tenderness in one part of your body
Swelling and redness
Limited range of motion
Pain

It can be tricky to diagnose bursitis without running the proper tests, as bursitis symptoms are often similar to those of other medical conditions. However, our chiropractors will thoroughly assess your condition to ensure you understand what bursitis is and what your treatment options include.

How Does a Chiropractor Diagnose Bursitis?

Your doctor can use a variety of methods to diagnose bursitis. Beyond asking about your medical history and conducting a physical exam, they might order the following tests:

X-rays
Ultrasound
Aspiration
Blood tests
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

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Seek Chiropractic Care for Bursitis in Our Clinics

Specific Care Chiropractic focuses on helping people find pain relief and a safe and effective solution for various conditions and injuries. Our chiropractors have extensive experience in identifying and treating various painful conditions, including bursitis.

So far, thousands of people benefitted from chiropractic care for bursitis in one of our clinics. We encourage you to get in touch with us and find out what our chiropractors can do for you in: