Home Remedies for Bursitis

Bursitis is often confused with arthritis because they are both attributed to joint pain and stiffness. However, bursitis is different than arthritis because it is the inflammation of the bursa which is a tiny sac filled with fluid near every joint in the body. The inflammation of a bursa can be caused by bruises, bumps, overuse, and repeated pressure. There are different symptoms you can look for to make sure it is bursitis and not arthritis. These symptoms include:

Specific and localized pain
Pain is a dull ache or stiffness
Pain is primarily in the joint areas
Pain gets worse with movement
Affected area is swollen or warm to the touch

If you have any of the above symptoms you may have bursitis.

There are different things a person suffering from bursitis can do to help ease the pain and relieve the inflammation caused by bursitis.

Home Remedies for Bursitis: Rest

The pain from bursitis will go away after a few days of rest. This doesn't mean stopping all movement. Stopping all movement, especially in the affected joint may cause it to freeze or lock up. Just take it easy for a few days and avoid what you were doing when the pain started.

Home Remedies for Bursitis: New Shoes

If you have bursitis in your feet then you may have gotten it from shoes that don't fit properly anymore. Spring for a new pair of comfy shoes and it should ease up in a couple of days.

Home Remedies for Bursitis: Make Changes

Think about what you were doing when you got bursitis in the first place and change the way you will do it in the future. If you were kneeling in the garden or doing anything on your knees when the pain started, get some knee pads. If you were laying on the floor using your elbows to prop your head up while reading a book, buy a book holder to raise your book and take the weight off of your arms. After changing the way you were doing something, the pain and swelling will ease up in a couple of days and you will feel better.

Home Remedies for Bursitis: Ice

Ice will bring down the swelling caused by the bursitis. Apply an ice pack or a frozen bag of vegetables to the affected area for 20 minutes, three to four times a day. If the bursitis is deeper in your joint then apply the ice twice as long to help bring the swelling down.

Home Remedies for Bursitis: Exercise

Play the itsy bitsy spider up the wall method with your hand. Doctor's recommend that if you are dealing with bursitis, slowly move your fingers up the wall like a spider would crawl up a wall. This can help restore your shoulders range of motion. Go slow with it because moving too fast could make it worse instead of better.

There is another method of exercising called the cat stretch. To use this method, get down on your hands and put your hands slightly forward of your head. Keep your elbows stiff as you stretch backwards and come down on your heels. This exercise is good for stiffness in your shoulder joints. There are many different exercises you can do to help ease the pain and stiffness caused by bursitis. Ask your doctor what he or she recommends.

Home Remedies for Bursitis: Orange Juice

Vitamin C works wonders for many ailments and bursitis is no exception. It is especially good for recovering from an injury. Not getting enough vitamin C has been proven to lessen the proper formation of the bursa. The recommended dosage of vitamin C is 60 milligrams a day for men and women ages 15 and over. All you need to do to get the recommended dose is to drink ¾ cup of orange juice every day.

Home Remedies for Bursitis: Pineapple

Pineapple's contain bromelain which is an enzyme that reduces inflammation and swelling caused by bursitis and other injuries. Just eat a little bit of pineapple or drink pineapple juice every day to help ease the inflammation and swelling.

Bursitis may also be a sign to slow down and rest your body. By resting, exercising, and using these home remedies, the bursitis should ease up in no time.

Sources:

Home Remedies for Bursitis

The Doctor's Book of Home Remedies