How to Treat Bursitis

Bursitis is the swelling of a bursa, a small sac of fluid that cushions and lubricates areas, such as muscles and bones, which rub against each other. Repetitive movement over time or continued pressure on a joint can cause bursitis. Follow these steps to treat it at home.

Instructions

• 1

  Rest the area of your body that has bursitis. For example, if you have it in your arms, don't do any lifting or similar activities. Get plenty of sleep to reduce symptoms.

• 2

  Use ice or cold packs when you have pain and tenderness. Ice relieves inflammation and can help you heal faster. Hold it in place for 10 to 20 minutes. This can be done up to twice an hour for the first 72 hours and then three to four times a day after that.

• 3

  Place a hot pack or heating pad on an area that has long-term pain. Do this for 15 to 20 minutes, three to four times a day. Taking a warm shower or bath can also have a soothing effect.

• 4

  Take a pain reliever. Acetaminophen, ibuprofen or aspirin can help treat the pain if taken as directed. Continue to rest even after the medicine has made you feel better. Otherwise, you may still overuse the affected area.

• 5

  Do range-of-motion exercises if your bursitis is in or near your joint. The can be done when you're resting the area to prevent stiffness. Doing yoga and pilates can gently strengthen your muscles. Stretch before doing any exercising. Stop if you begin to feel any pain.

• 6

  Change repetitive movements that may have caused your bursitis. Find a new way to do this activity or alternate the ways you do it. If you're often sitting for long periods of time, walk around every hour or so. This can be used to treat current bursitis and prevent it in the future.