Ultrasound isn’t just for capturing images of a baby in a pregnant woman’s belly. In recent years, ultrasound has actually been proven to be therapeutic for all kinds of bursitis.

What Is Arthritis – Bursitis?

Bursitis is the inflammation or irritation of the bursa and is more common in adults, especially those over 40 years of age. The bursa is a sac filled with lubricating fluid located between tissues such as bone, muscle, tendons, and skin that decreases rubbing, friction, and irritation.

What Causes Bursitis?

This condition is most often caused by repetitive, minor impact on the area, or from a sudden, more serious injury. Age also plays a role. As tendons age they are less able to tolerate stress, are less elastic, and are easier to tear. Overuse or injury to the joint at work or play can also increase a person’s risk. More leisure time and greater exertion coupled with those aging tendons, injuries such as golfer’s knee and tennis elbow have become more and more common.

An abnormal or poorly placed bone or joint (such as length differences in your legs or arthritis in a joint) can put added stress on a bursa sac, causing bursitis. Stress or inflammation from other conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout, psoriatic arthritis, thyroid disorders, or unusual medication reactions may also increase a person’s risk. In addition, an infection can occasionally lead to inflammation of a bursa.

What Parts of the Body Does Bursitis Affect?

  • Base of the thumb
  • Elbow
  • Shoulder
  • Hip
  • Knee
  • Achilles tendon

What Are the Symptoms of Bursitis?

The most common symptom is pain at the site of the bursa and beyond. The pain may be a gradual buildup or sudden and severe, especially if calcium deposits are present. Loss of motion in the shoulder — called “adhesive capsulitis” or frozen shoulder — can also be a sign of bursitis.

Ultrasound waves penetrate the inflamed bursae and massage it directly to restore blood flow, thus effectively reducing the swelling quickly. In addition to pain relief, it’s equally important to aid the body in rebuilding tissues. Boosting your natural abilities to regenerate healthier tissues is perhaps the best bursitis treatment there is. So, along with the ultrasound treatments to relieve immediate pain, please follow a good, protein-rich diet, and, if you are not lactose intolerant, enjoy natural calcium boosters like milk.