13 Home Remedies for Bursitis - Bursitis

Give it a rest. The pain of bursitis may disappear completely after a few days of resting the affected joint. This doesn't mean ceasing all movement. Particularly in a shoulder, immobilization could "freeze" the joint with adhesions (fibrous tissue) and scar tissue. Just take it easy and try to avoid the movement or activity that brought on the pain.

Get new shoes. If you have bursitis on your heel, you probably got it because of improperly fitting shoes. The solution is simple: Toss the shoes, and put on a better-fitting pair.

Make a change. Search for ways to adjust the activity or habit that sparked the pain to lessen the stress it puts on your joints. If crawling around in the garden or laying flooring has left you with bursitis of the knee, get yourself a low stool to sit on instead or buy a pair of sturdy, well-cushioned kneepads. If leaning on your elbows while reading has caused your elbows to swell and ache, use a book holder to prop up your reading material and take the weight off your arms.

Deflate the inflammation. Take two regular-strength aspirin or ibuprofen four times a day to reduce the swelling of the bursa; this will also help ease the pain. If you are taking blood pressure medicine or have kidney problems or a bleeding disorder, however, check with your doctor first. And avoid giving aspirin to children. Consult this list of precautions to take when using over-the-counter analgesics.

Skip the acetaminophen. Unlike aspirin and ibuprofen, this over-the-counter pain reliever isn't an anti-inflammatory, so it doesn't do as much to combat bursitis.

Put it on ice. Ice is a must when you're dealing with swelling. Ice brings down swelling by slowing blood flow to the area. Apply an ice pack to the joint for about 20 minutes (twice as long if your bursitis is deep in the joint) three or four times a day. Protect your skin by putting a towel or cloth between the ice pack and bare skin. Elevating the joint above your heart will also help reduce swelling.

Warm it up. After the initial swelling has been brought down (usually about three to four days), heat from a heating pad or heat pack will not only feel good but will get rid of excess fluid by increasing circulation.

Use a stepladder. Overhead reaching or pushing and pulling at or above shoulder level may worsen shoulder pain. If you can't reach something easily, use a stepladder, or better yet, have someone else get it for you.

Get in the swing of things. As soon as the pain has eased enough to allow it, you need to begin gently moving the affected joint through its full range of motion. A doctor or physical therapist can prescribe a set of exercises designed to do just that for your affected joint. For bursitis of the shoulder, for example, one effective exercise is the pendulum swing. To do this exercise, bend at the waist, and support your weight by leaning your good arm against a desk or chair back. Swing your sore arm back and forth and then in clockwise and counterclockwise circles.

Play "Itsy Bitsy Spider." Another gentle exercise you can do to restore your shoulder's range of motion is to crawl your hand up the wall, like a spider. Make it a laid-back spider, however. Anything other than slow, controlled movement within the joint's natural range of motion during the healing process may do more harm than good.

Most cases of bursitis clear up in a couple weeks if you stop aggravating the area, but you can do a few simple things to speed healing and make the process more comfortable. There are also some nutritional secrets that may help prevent future bursitis.

Home Remedies From the Refrigerator
Orange juice. Vitamin C is a wonder nutrient. Its antioxidant properties make it an ideal addition to the diet, especially when you are recovering from an injury. Vitamin C is vital for preventing and repairing injuries. Not getting enough vitamin C has been found to hinder proper formation and maintenance of bursa. Men and women older than 15 years of age need at least 60 milligrams a day. Drink just 3/4 cup orange juice a day, and you'll meet your daily quota.

Pineapple. Pineapples contain bromelain, an enzyme that studies have shown reduces inflammation in sports injuries, such as bursitis, and reduces swelling.

Home Remedies From the Spice Rack

Turmeric. Studies have found that turmeric, specifically the yellow pigment in turmeric called curcumin, is a very effective anti-inflammatory. In animal studies turmeric was as effective as cortisone, and it didn't have any side effects.

Bursitis may be a sign to take it easy and rest your body. But, using the home remedies from this article, you can ease the pain and swelling while you're waiting for your joints to heal.