What Is Bursitis?
Bursitis occurs when a bursa becomes irritated or inflamed. Bursae are small fluid-filled sacs that help reduce friction between muscles, tendons and bones around a joint.
When a bursa becomes inflamed it can cause pain, swelling and discomfort during movement. Bursitis commonly affects joints that experience repetitive movement or pressure, such as the shoulder, hip, knee or elbow.
Symptoms may develop gradually due to overuse, repetitive activity or prolonged pressure on a joint.
Common Symptoms
People experiencing bursitis may notice:
- Localised pain around a joint
- Tenderness when pressing on the affected area
- Swelling around the joint
- Pain during movement or activity
- Reduced comfort when lying on the affected side (common with hip or shoulder bursitis)
Symptoms can vary depending on the joint involved.
How We Help
At The Bromley Physiotherapy and Injury Rehab Clinic, we assess joint movement, surrounding muscle function and activity patterns to identify factors contributing to the irritation.
Treatment may include:
- Manual therapy to improve joint movement
- Soft tissue techniques to reduce muscle tension
- Exercises to improve strength and stability around the joint
- Advice on activity modification and load management
The aim is to reduce irritation in the affected area, restore comfortable movement and help prevent symptoms from returning.
