Bursitis

Bursitis is inflammation or irritation of a bursa, a small fluid-filled sac that reduces friction between bone, tendon, muscle, and skin near a joint. It commonly affects the shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, and heel, especially in settings of repetitive motion, prolonged pressure, direct irritation, or altered joint mechanics. Symptoms often include localized pain, tenderness, swelling, and pain with movement or pressure. In some cases, bursitis is related to overuse alone; in others, it overlaps with problems such as tendinopathy, rotator cuff irritation, arthritis, crystal disease, or infection, which is one reason evaluation and treatment plans can vary.

Treatment options depend on where the bursitis is located, how inflamed it is, how long it has been present, whether infection has been ruled out, and how much function is limited. Western care often emphasizes load modification, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory strategies, and sometimes aspiration or corticosteroid injection for selected cases. Eastern approaches such as acupuncture, manual therapy, and certain traditional herbal approaches are also used, often with the goal of reducing pain, improving circulation, and supporting function. Research is stronger for some options than others, and many people explore a combined approach when symptoms are persistent or recurrent.