Aging Allergies Anxiety, Worry & Fear Bursitis Carpal Tunnel Check-Ups Cooking Feeling Healthy Fibromyalgia Handling Stress Feet Children Nagging Aches Nervous System Posture Pregnancy Sciatica Scoliosis Subluxation Wry Neck Your Car Healthy Habits Bursitis We often hear the term bursitis. People will claim to have bursitis or state they have been diagnosed with bursitis but are often unaware of what constitutes this condition. Unfortunately, if misdiagnosed or if the underlying problem causing the bursitis is not removed a long-standing or chronic health problem could be the end result. A bursa is a fluid filled sac found in various areas of the body such as the hip where they function to prevent the rubbing of fragile and soft tissues against hard and bony surfaces. For example, to prevent a rope from fraying when being placed over a sharp edge, a piece of rubber or plastic may be used as protection over the sharp edge. Such is the job for a bursa when it comes to protecting muscles and tendons from bones. This bursa is very susceptible to irritation in various instances. Some examples include trauma (being banged against an object or falling down), overuse of a joint (repetitive), misuse of a joint (bad positioning), degeneration of a joint, muscle spasms or tightening, and improper positioning or function of joints due to imbalance in the body. Once the bursa is irritated because of one of the above reasons, it becomes inflamed. Hence the name bursitis (the ending -itis generally indicates an inflammatory condition). Ways to determine if the bursa is irritated or if there is an underlying problem affecting the bursa include: Snapping or sharp popping of a joint or in the area of a joint when moving. Pain that is very tender at a specific point and spreads outward from that area with lessening pain. Pain when pressure is placed over the involved area or joint. The pain is a deep aching pain and is made worse by using the muscles that cross the particular joint. Treatment for bursitis or any such joint discomforts should be started as soon as possible to avoid any long-term problems. Once the bursa is irritated the body will attempt to keep pressure off the bursa by working in a different way. This is called compensation. This pattern of change will not only create bad habits in the body and the way it moves but will lead to further problems in the future. Understanding this, the importance of removing the cause of any irritation to the bursa would be extremely useful not only in the short term, but in the long term as well. The joints most commonly affected by bursitis are the shoulder and the hip. These joints are used in daily activities with great frequency and if not working at their best or if working in pain the quality of life of the individual can be greatly impaired. Doctors of Chiropractic are specially trained to assess the human frame to determine what is causing irritation to the bursa. Care can be administered to alleviate bursitis pain while treatment can be given to ensure the bursitis does not return. Together with proper stretches, specific exercises and other forms of care people can do at home bursitis can be successfully overcome and avoided. Although we hear the term quite often, we are quick to accept bursitis as a "fact of life". This does not have to be the case. Our joints are what keep us moving and unless they are taken care of we can really be slowed down. Don't let life come to a crawl. Keep moving, stay active, and have that bursitis examined today! Sign-up to receive Dr. Dave's bi-monthly newsletter, filled with helpful information to keep yourself healthy and happy. Add me Remove Me Email List Management by Ezine Director Download these two exclusive reports: "6 Secrets to a Healthy Pain-Free Body" and "6 Secrets to a Healthy Child". Copyright © 2003, Dr. David Koivuranta. All rights reserved.