Relieve Pain and Restore Mobility

Physio for Bursitis

At Australian Sports Physiotherapy, we’re committed to helping you overcome musculoskeletal issues so you can lead a pain-free life. Bursitis is a common condition we address through our specialised physiotherapy treatments tailored to your unique needs.

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Your Path to Recovery

Overcoming Bursitis

At Australian Sports Physiotherapy, we offer treatment for bursitis to restore your mobility and alleviate pain.

Bursitis, the inflammation of the bursae, can cause significant discomfort and restrict your movement. Our experienced team at Australian Sports Physiotherapy provides a comprehensive approach to bursitis treatment, encompassing the latest in diagnostic tools and tailored physiotherapy techniques. We focus on understanding the underlying causes of your bursitis to offer a treatment plan that addresses both symptoms and root causes.

Integrating manual therapy, exercise prescriptions, and patient education, we help you achieve long-term relief and prevent recurrence.

It’s time to take action against bursitis.

Bursitis Physiotherapy

What is Bursitis?

Bursitis is the inflammation of the bursae, small fluid-filled sacs that cushion and lubricate the joints, reducing friction between bones, tendons, and muscles. When these sacs become inflamed due to repetitive movements, overuse, trauma, muscle imbalance or underlying conditions, the bursae can often swell like an inflated balloon in a tight space, and lead to pain, swelling, and limited mobility.

Examples of Bursitis in Various Body Parts:

Shoulder Bursitis (Subacromial Bursitis)

A very common condition often seen in individuals or athletes who perform repetitive overhead movements. Shoulder bursitis causes pain and stiffness in the shoulder joint, especially when lifting the arm.

Elbow Bursitis (Olecranon Bursitis)

Commonly known as “student’s elbow” or “Popeye elbow,” this condition involves inflammation of the bursa at the tip of the elbow, resulting in swelling, tenderness, and discomfort, particularly when leaning on the affected elbow.

Hip Bursitis (Trochanteric Bursitis)

Hip bursitis typically affects individuals involved in activities that require repetitive hip movements, such as running, hiking or a rapid influx of daily walking. It causes pain and tenderness on the outside of the hip especially when sleep on your side and may radiate down the thigh.

Knee Bursitis (Prepatellar Bursitis)

Also known as “housemaid’s knee” or “carpet layer’s knee,” knee bursitis occurs due to prolonged kneeling or trauma to the front of the knee, resulting in swelling, warmth, and pain around the kneecap.

Don't let bursitis slow you down.

For more detailed answers and a personalised treatment plan, contact our experienced team.

Bursitis Physiotherapy Melbourne

Why Treat Bursitis with Physiotherapy?

Bursitis can be easily diagnosed with ultrasound imaging. It is commonly treated by your doctor with a corticosteroid injection (CSI) under ultrasound to reduce the swelling in the sac and alleviate pain. Although this treatment is highly effective when injected accurately, it fails to consider the cause or aggravating factors leading to this irritation and it is not long before patients are sore again.

Because of this, Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in managing and alleviating symptoms of bursitis by:

Addressing Underlying Factors: Our comprehensive assessment helps identify contributing factors to bursitis, such as muscle imbalances or faulty movement patterns, which we address through personalised exercise programs, manual therapy and corrective strategies.
Pain Relief: Our targeted physiotherapy interventions, including manual therapy and Dry needling help reduce pain and inflammation associated with bursitis and surrounding tissue.
Improving Range of Motion: Through gentle stretching and mobilisation techniques, we aim to restore flexibility and mobility in the affected joint, allowing you to move more comfortably and with less discomfort.

Frequently asked questions about Bursitis

What causes bursitis?

Bursitis is often caused by repetitive movement or excessive pressure on the joints, leading to inflammation of the bursae. It can also result from trauma or underlying rheumatic conditions.

How is bursitis diagnosed?

Bursitis is primarily diagnosed through clinical examination and patient history. Ultrasound imaging may be used to confirm inflammation and exclude other conditions.

Can bursitis heal on its own?

Some mild cases of bursitis may resolve without intensive treatment. However, professional physiotherapy can expedite the healing process, ensuring proper recovery and preventing recurrence.

Is bursitis treatment painful?

Physiotherapy treatments for bursitis are designed to relieve pain and improve function with minimal discomfort. Some techniques may cause slight discomfort, but these are typically well-tolerated.

How long does it take to recover from bursitis?

Recovery time varies based on the severity and location of bursitis. With proper treatment, many patients begin to see improvement within a few weeks.

Australian Sports Physio

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