Healthy Habits for Bonsall and Fallbrook Folks: Bursitis – stress to the bursa

Bursa is a sac that is filled with fluid found between the tissues of the muscles, bones, skin and tendons. The role of the bursa is to provide lubrication to help reduce rubbing, friction and irritation between these areas.

Bursitis is the inflammation of the bursa. This inflammation can be caused by impact to the area, sudden injury or overuse of repetitive motion such as painting, carpentry, throwing, tennis and golf.

This condition is also age related because as people get older, the tendons have been worn which makes them easier to tear, have less elasticity and less tolerable to stressors.

The body's kinetic chain is composed of bone on top of bone and joint on top of joint stacked in alignment to produce motion. When a bone or joint is misaligned or not in its proper place, stress can be added to the bursa sac.

Risk for bursitis also increases in persons with thyroid disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, gout and abnormal reaction to a medication. Even leaning on the elbows and scrubbing the floors on the knees can cause it.

Bursitis is more common in persons over the age of 40. The five parts of the body that this condition affects are the hip, elbow, shoulder, knee and Achilles tendon. Bursitis is painful and gradually builds in severity. Bursitis can be so painful, for example, that the area can become immobile. It is the term for the "frozen shoulder" that can result from bursitis pain. The area will actually look swollen and red. It feels achy and stiff and especially tender to touch.

At the first onset of pain, it is important to stop whatever activity you are performing. A baseball player might keep pitching through the pain for the love of the sport, but bursitis might creep in and make it unbearable to continue.

Upon experiencing pain, the area needs to be given rest. Ice should also be applied. The area is inflamed so anti-inflammatories can be used. A doctor might prescribe corticosteroids, a type of steroid, to help reduce inflammation more quickly. This method calls for an injection at the site of the pain. Injections aren't meant to be repeatedly used.

Physical therapy can also be used. It can help improve the range of motion that has been compromised due to pain. Surgery for bursitis is used as a last resort.

It is important to be conscious of your joints. Take breaks during repetitive tasks. Keep a healthy body weight so that extra stress isn't added to the joints. A physical exam by a doctor will tell their patient when bursitis has struck when they tell them about the area and pain.

Sometimes with what people do daily, they forget that wear and tear can accumulate. Don't test the body's joint capabilities. Don't test their expiration date. Pain is never pleasant so keep these precautions in mind, and the joints will thank you.

Megan Johnson McCullough holds a master's degree in physical education and health science, is a candidate for her doctorate, is a professional natural bodybuilder and is a National Academy of Sports Medicine master trainer.