Busitis Physical Therapy Charleston, SC
Healthy and pain-free joints are essential for most daily activities and an active lifestyle. The strength, flexibility, and mobility of joints allow us to walk, run, lift, work, and enjoy recreational activities without pain. When conditions such as bursitis affect one or more of your joints, you can rely on the trained therapists at Coastal Movement Specialists to help you recover and live a happy and fulfilled life. Learn more about bursitis physical therapy below, and contact us today to schedule an appointment in our Johns Island, SC office.
What is Bursitis?
You have more than 140 fluid-filled sacs called bursae that cushion your joints. These small sacs allow your skin, tendons, muscles, and ligaments to glide painlessly and smoothly over the bones of your joints. Bursitis occurs when the thin outer membrane of the bursa becomes inflamed or irritated. This causes pain and swelling of your joint.
+ What are the Symptoms?
If you have bursitis, you may experience one or more of these symptoms:
- Pain, especially when using the joint
- Restricted range of motion
- Swelling and redness
- Achy or stiff feeling
- Tender to pressure on the joint
- Soreness that worsens at night
+ What Causes Bursitis?
The most common causes of bursitis include:
- Repetitive motions. Some daily activities such as typing or using certain tools can cause an inflamed bursa.
- Excessive pressure. Lengthy periods of constant pressure on a joint such as kneeling on your knees or leaning on your elbows, can lead to bursitis of the kneecap and elbow.
- Sudden trauma. An unexpected blow to a joint such as a shoulder or elbow can trigger bursitis.
- Aging. Bursitis can affect you at any age. However, your bursae are susceptible to breaking down as you grow older.
+ Risk Factors
You are at more risk for bursitis if one or more of these things apply to you:
- Your job requires repetitive motions such as typing, kneeling, and painting
- You take part in contact sports where joints receive blows
- You have had a deep cut involving a joint that allowed bacteria to penetrate the bursa
- Your activities include using a joint placed in an awkward position, such as throwing or lifting objects overhead repeatedly
- You have a medical condition such as Rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, or gout
- You have a bone abnormality that places excess stress on your joints
+ Can I Prevent Bursitis?
You can’t prevent every case of bursitis, but you can lower your risks by taking precautions, such as:
- Taking breaks. Avoid prolonged periods of repetitive motions such as typing without taking breaks.
- Maintaining healthy body weight. Keeping your weight down avoids excess stress on your joints.
- Using helpful aids. Take advantage of useful devices such as wheeled carts, hip braces, and cushions.
- Learning proper posture. Talk with one of our trained physical therapists about how to improve your posture.
+ How Can Physical Therapy Help?
We can help speed your recovery from bursitis with a custom-designed treatment program. Our treatment aims to reduce your pain and swelling and help you return to your active lifestyle as quickly and safely as possible. In addition, our physical therapy program aims to improve your range of motion, flexibility, strength, and balance.
Schedule an Appointment
Located on Johns Island, SC, Coastal Movement Specialists serves the entire Charleston area. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with our experienced physical and occupational therapists.