With Reflexologist Nuria Weaver
Home Remedies for Bursitis
Home remedies for bursitis is safe enough to treat the condition which affects bursae (tiny fluid-filled pads), called bursitis. Bursae are like cushions which lie between the muscles and bones especially near the joints. Bursitis occurs only during the inflammation of bursae.
The inflammations are common in the shoulders, hips and elbows. However, bursitis can occur in the knee, base of the big toe and heel. It is also common in joints where there is a repetitive and frequent movement.
The intense pain associated with bursitis is often mistaken with that of arthritis. In fact bursitis is altogether a different problem which is more common in people involved in physical activities.
Causes of Bursitis
The most common causes are listed below:
- Lifting of something heavy over the head or throwing a ball
- Leaning on the elbows for a long time
- Sitting on a surface particularly on hard surfaces for a long time
- Kneeling for a long time for activities like laying the carpet or cleaning and scrubbing the floor
However, if bursae occur just below the skin around the knee and elbow, there is a tendency for the injury to become infected and have septic bursitis.
Symptoms of Bursitis
Bursitis usually affects the joints and the symptoms associated with this are:
- A achy feeling and stiffness
- The affected sensitive part and it hurts on the application of pressure
- Swollen looks
- Reddish or pinkish appearance
The signs and symptoms can become severe and require medical aid. Some of the severe signs are:
- Disabling joint pain
- The pain may persist for few weeks
- The swelling, bruising, redness and rash becomes excessive on the affected area
- The pain can become sharp and shoot up when you involve with any physical activity like exercise
- High temperature or fever
Tests and Diagnose of Bursitis
The common tests and diagnose you may undergo for bursitis are:
- Imaging tests
An x-ray may be performed on the affected area. However it may not establish a correct diagnose but helps in excluding other major causes of the discomfort. - Lab test
This helps the doctor to screen out the other causes of the inflammation and pain in the joints. Blood tests can be used for analysis of the fluid of the inflamed bursa.
There are treatments and drugs available for bursitis and in extreme cases bursa can be removed surgically. Nevertheless you can also opt for some safe and effective home remedies for bursitis.
Home Remedies for Bursitis using potato and cayenne pepper
- In a cup of water add a grated potato and steep it overnight. In the next morning strain it and drink the liquid before having your breakfast. This is one of the simple home remedies for bursitis.
- Cayenne pepper is also beneficial for the treatment of bursitis. You can add this in a cup of apple cider vinegar and boil it for sometime around fifteen minutes. You can use this as a poultice. Dip a clean cloth into the liquid and gently apply on the affected area.
Home Remedies for Bursitis using olive oil and sea waters
- You can use olive oil and rub on the affected area. Massage the area with the warm oil to reduce the pain on daily basis. This will help and prevent the recurrence of the condition.
- Resent studies showed that sea water can also be used to cure chronic bursitis. Drink this on daily basis and can be easily purchased from a local health store. However, this should not be used when suffering from high blood pressure.
Home Remedies for Bursitis using lavender oil and horseradish root
- Lavender oil is also good for the treatment of bursitis. Add few drops of the oil in the bathwater. Dip your body in the bathwater which will reduce the pain and relive you from spasms.
- Horseradish root is also excellent and is one of the finest home remedies for bursitis. Therefore include a fresh horseradish root and prepare a poultice using it. Grate the root and moisten it with water and then put in a porous bag. Apply this on the affected area and joint to feel better.
Home Remedies for Bursitis using oil and sandalwood paste
- For a gentle massage on the affected joint, you can go for sesame oil, eucalyptus oil or tea tree oil. Rubbing the affected the area and joint with this oil will relieve you from spasms and pain.
- According to the ayurveda, mahanarayan oil and neem oil can be beneficial for burning and painful joints.
Home Remedies for Bursitis using ice packs
- The ice packs can be directly placed on the bursitis and this helps in bringing down the swelling and also helps in reducing the pain. You can repeat this for two to three times a day until the swelling vanishes. Prevent direct exposure of the ice with the skin and hence use towels. It is said that keeping the bursitis affected area a little above heat levels can help to reduce the swelling and bring it back to normal. After the swelling disappears, use a heat pad on the affected areas to get rid of the excess fluid.
Apart from all the home remedies for bursitis, one thing has to be kept in mind that the patient should not undergo any strenuous exercise. Nonetheless, you can try some mild yoga poses and meditation.
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