Tap to Read ➤

Bursitis Physical Therapy

Medha Godbole
A major part of the recovery from bursitis includes exercises. The course of treatment is more or less the same for any kind of condition, but the physical therapy varies, depending on the joint affected. This article provides information about the various exercises to treat hip and shoulder bursitis.
Without the bone joints, we would not have been able to move our limbs freely. Also, any problem with these joints may make our lives miserable. Bursitis is one such problem which affects our joints. It is the inflammation of a small sack in our joints which contains the fluid which lubricates the joints.
It also acts as a cushion between bone or muscle, tendons, and skin. As it affects the joints, it needs immediate treatment. One aspect of the treatment for this problem is physical therapy.

Physical Therapy for Hip Bursitis

In this condition, once the doctor gives you the permission to engage in exercising, you may go for cycling or walking. Exercises for trochanteric bursitis should be performed on flat surfaces and not for long stretches.
The steps to perform this exercise are:
  • First lie on your back with your knees bent and feet on the floor.
  • While raising the leg on the side of the affected hip, cross it leg over the other.
  • Stretch the crossed leg over the uncrossed leg just below the knee.
Other leg exercises include, simple leg raises which can be performed by lying on your back and raising your leg 6-8 inches above the ground and holding it there for a few seconds. It would be beneficial if you can perform 3 sets of 10 such raises.

Physical Therapy for Shoulder Bursitis

Exercise 1

  • Stand straight and then bend down at the waist on the side which has the affected shoulder, and let the affected arm hang down at your side.
  • Move your body back and forth and create small circles of the affected shoulder using the weight of your arm and the gravitational force.
  • Use this method to move your arm in clockwise and counter clockwise circular motions.

Exercise 2

  • Start off by standing against a wall sideways, with your elbow at a 90 degree angle.
  • Place the outer part of your forearm against the wall.
  • Contracting your muscles, press the arms into the wall, but keep your shoulders fixed.
  • Hold for 5 seconds and do 5 repetitions of this.
  • After this, position the inside of your forearm against the wall and repeat what was done earlier.

Exercise 3

  • This will strengthen the rotator cuff. Lie on your stomach on your bed.
  • With one arm out at shoulder level, bend your elbow at 90 degrees and keep your hand down.
  • With your elbow bent gradually, raise your hand.
  • Stop when your hand reaches your shoulder level.
  • Bring the hand down gradually and repeat with the other hand.
In addition to these, other remedies include massages and hot and cold compress. What kind of exercises are prescribed also depends on how the individual takes it. Some might find cold or hot compress in tandem with exercises more effective, while some maybe just fine with a simple massage or acupressure accompanied by light exercises.