Bursitis Treatment in Upper Darby, PA | Shoulder, Hip & Knee Bursitis Pain Relief Near Philadelphia
If you are dealing with persistent shoulder, hip, knee, or elbow pain, bursitis may be one possible cause. Bursitis occurs when a bursa—a small fluid-filled sac that helps reduce friction around a joint—becomes irritated or inflamed.
At Everybody’s Chiropractic Center in Upper Darby, PA, we evaluate patients with joint and soft-tissue pain to help determine what may be contributing to their symptoms and which conservative treatment options may be appropriate.
What Is Bursitis?
Bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs located near many joints. They help cushion areas where muscles, tendons, skin, and bones move against one another.
When a bursa becomes irritated or inflamed, the condition is known as bursitis. Symptoms can develop after repetitive activity, direct pressure or injury, overuse, or changes in how a joint is moving.
Because several conditions can cause similar joint pain, an evaluation is important before assuming bursitis is responsible for your symptoms.
Common Types of Bursitis
Bursitis can occur in several areas of the body. Common locations include:
- Shoulder bursitis — often involving the subacromial bursa and causing pain with reaching or lifting the arm
- Hip bursitis — pain may occur around the outside of the hip, particularly with walking, climbing stairs, or lying on the affected side
- Knee bursitis — certain bursae around the knee can become irritated following repetitive activity, pressure, or injury
- Elbow bursitis — commonly causes tenderness or swelling around the back of the elbow
- Trochanteric bursitis — commonly associated with pain around the outside of the hip
The location of pain alone does not establish a diagnosis. Other joint, tendon, muscle, and referred-pain conditions can produce similar symptoms.
Hip Bursitis and Outer Hip Pain
Pain along the outside of the hip is commonly associated with the area around the greater trochanter. Patients may notice discomfort while walking, climbing stairs, getting up from a chair, or lying on the painful side.
However, outer hip pain is not always caused by bursitis. Tendon problems and other musculoskeletal conditions can produce similar symptoms.
At Everybody’s Chiropractic Center, we evaluate the painful area along with joint movement, surrounding muscles and soft tissues, and other relevant examination findings before recommending treatment.
Shoulder Bursitis and Shoulder Pain
Shoulder bursitis can cause pain when raising the arm, reaching overhead, sleeping on the affected shoulder, or performing repetitive activities.
Because rotator cuff problems, tendon irritation, joint dysfunction, and other conditions can produce similar symptoms, determining what is contributing to the shoulder pain is an important part of choosing appropriate care.
Our evaluation may include examination of shoulder movement, strength, tenderness, function, and the surrounding musculoskeletal structures.
Symptoms Associated With Bursitis
Symptoms vary depending on the location and severity of the condition. They may include:
- Pain or tenderness around a joint
- Swelling
- Pain with certain movements
- Reduced or painful range of motion
- Stiffness
- Pain when pressure is placed on the affected area
- Difficulty sleeping on the painful side
- Discomfort with repetitive activities
Sudden severe pain, significant swelling, fever, redness or warmth around a joint, or symptoms following a significant injury should be evaluated promptly by an appropriate healthcare professional.
Conservative Bursitis Treatment in Upper Darby
Treatment recommendations depend on the cause of the symptoms, the joint involved, examination findings, health history, and other individual factors.
When appropriate, conservative care at Everybody’s Chiropractic Center may include:
- Chiropractic care when joint mechanics are contributing to the problem
- Soft-tissue techniques
- Joint mobilization
- Rehabilitation and therapeutic exercises
- Movement and activity recommendations
- SoftWave Therapy for selected musculoskeletal conditions
The goal is to develop a treatment plan based on the individual patient’s findings rather than treating every case of joint pain the same way.
SoftWave Therapy and Bursitis
SoftWave Therapy is a non-invasive form of extracorporeal shockwave therapy that uses acoustic waves delivered through a handheld applicator.
Shockwave therapy has been studied for a variety of musculoskeletal conditions, particularly certain tendon-related problems. Whether SoftWave Therapy should be considered for someone experiencing symptoms associated with bursitis depends on the diagnosis, treatment area, health history, and examination findings.
At Everybody’s Chiropractic Center, we evaluate patients before recommending SoftWave Therapy rather than assuming it is appropriate for every painful joint.
For a more complete explanation of the technology, read What Is SoftWave Therapy and How Does It Work?.
What Can Cause or Contribute to Bursitis?
Factors associated with bursitis can vary by location and may include:
- Repetitive movements
- Sports and exercise activities
- Direct pressure on a joint
- Prolonged kneeling
- Repetitive overhead activity
- Injury or trauma
- Changes in movement or joint mechanics
- Certain underlying health conditions
Identifying factors that may be contributing to the symptoms can help guide treatment recommendations and activity modifications.
When Should Bursitis Be Evaluated?
Consider an evaluation when joint pain is persistent, keeps returning, limits normal activity, or is not improving as expected.
An examination can help distinguish bursitis from other potential causes of shoulder, hip, knee, or elbow pain and determine whether conservative care may be appropriate.
Why Choose Everybody’s Chiropractic Center?
Everybody’s Chiropractic Center has served Upper Darby and surrounding Delaware County communities for decades. Dr. Dan Klein has 30+ years of experience caring for patients with musculoskeletal pain and injuries.
Our approach begins with an individual evaluation. Treatment recommendations are based on your symptoms, examination findings, health history, and goals.
We serve patients from Upper Darby, Havertown, Drexel Hill, Broomall, Springfield, Media, Philadelphia, and surrounding Delaware County communities.
Bursitis Treatment in Upper Darby, PA
If shoulder, hip, knee, or elbow pain is interfering with your activities, an evaluation can help determine what may be causing your symptoms and what treatment options may be appropriate.
Everybody’s Chiropractic Center
115 E Township Line Road
Upper Darby, PA 19082
Phone: 610-789-1800
Ready to find out what may be contributing to your joint pain? Schedule a consultation or call 610-789-1800.