Bursitis Treatment in Medina, OH
Bursitis care is one of the many condition-focused services included in our comprehensive Chiropractic Services approach.
Conservative care for shoulder, hip, elbow, knee, and other joint bursitis
Bursitis is a common cause of joint pain and swelling that can make everyday movements painful—kneeling, climbing stairs, reaching overhead, leaning on your elbow, or simply walking. When a bursa becomes irritated or inflamed, the joint can feel sore, stiff, and tender to pressure.
At LiteForce Chiropractic in Medina, OH, we provide non-surgical, conservative treatment for bursitis affecting the shoulder, hip, elbow, knee, and other joints. Our approach focuses on identifying why the bursa is irritated, correcting faulty mechanics, and reducing inflammation using evidence-informed chiropractic, soft-tissue care, targeted rehabilitation, and adjunctive therapies such as laser when appropriate.
If joint pain and swelling are limiting your daily life, schedule an evaluation:
What Is Bursitis?
A bursa is a small, fluid-filled sac that sits between bones and soft tissues (like tendons or skin). Its job is to reduce friction and cushion the joint. Bursitis occurs when this sac becomes inflamed, often due to repeated pressure, friction, or overuse of the joint.
Common sites include:
Shoulder (subacromial bursitis)
Elbow (olecranon bursitis)
Hip (trochanteric bursitis)
Knee (prepatellar bursitis, pes anserine bursitis)
Heel (retrocalcaneal bursitis)
Typical symptoms:
Localized pain around the joint
Swelling or a puffy appearance over the bursa
Tenderness when you press on the area
Pain with specific movements or positions
Stiffness after rest, easing slightly with movement
In some cases—especially around the elbow or knee—the bursa can become visibly enlarged
Bursitis often results from a combination of mechanical stress and repeated pressure on the bursa. Common contributors include:
Frequent kneeling on hard surfaces
Repeated leaning on elbows
Overhead work or sports stressing the shoulder
Repetitive motions in sport or occupation
Muscle imbalance or joint stiffness altering movement patterns
Direct trauma
Underlying systemic conditions (rare cases)
Most non-infectious bursitis is mechanical and overload-driven, which means addressing joint motion, posture, and soft-tissue tension is often more effective than simply masking pain.
Why Bursitis Develops
Common Types of Bursitis We Treat
Shoulder (Subacromial Bursitis)
Pain on the outside or front of the shoulder, worse with reaching overhead or lying on the affected side.
Heel / Ankle (Retrocalcaneal Bursitis)
Pain at the back of the heel near the Achilles tendon, often related to footwear, Achilles tightness, or overuse.
Elbow (Olecranon Bursitis)
Swelling and tenderness at the tip of the elbow, often linked to leaning on hard surfaces or a direct blow.
Bursitis also frequently coexists with tendinitis and tendinopathy because the same overload that irritates a bursa can stress nearby tendons.
Hip (Trochanteric Bursitis / Lateral Hip Pain)
Pain on the outside of the hip, worse when lying on that side, climbing stairs, or prolonged walking.
Knee (Prepatellar and Pes Anserine Bursitis)
Pain and swelling in front of the kneecap or along the inside of the knee below the joint line, often aggravated by kneeling, squatting, or climbing stairs.
When Bursitis Needs Care
You should seek evaluation if:
Pain or swelling lasts more than 1–2 weeks
Pain interferes with sleep, work, or daily tasks
The joint feels stiff or weak
Swelling keeps returning despite rest
Red-flag signs that require urgent medical evaluation include:
Sudden severe swelling, redness, and warmth
Fever or feeling unwell with a hot, swollen joint
Major trauma or suspected fracture
Inability to bear weight or move the joint
These symptoms may indicate septic bursitis or another serious joint problem. In such cases, we refer to appropriate medical care immediately.
Your evaluation is designed to determine:
Which bursa is involved
Whether the irritation appears mechanical or possibly infectious/systemic
Which movement or load patterns are driving the problem
A typical assessment includes:
Detailed history
Inspection and palpation
Range-of-motion testing
Strength testing and functional movement analysis
Postural and spinal assessment
If your presentation suggests infection, systemic disease, or internal derangement, we will recommend appropriate imaging and medical referral.
How We Evaluate Bursitis at LiteForce Chiropractic
Conservative Bursitis Treatment in Medina, OH
1. Load Management and Position Changes
We help you identify and modify specific behaviors that aggravate the bursa.
Our goal is to reduce inflammation and pain while correcting the mechanics that irritate the bursa. We use a coordinated plan rather than relying on a single modality.
5. Cold / Low-Level Laser Therapy (When Indicated)
When indicated, we may use laser therapy as an adjunct to reduce pain and inflammation.
Laser is not a replacement for load management and biomechanics, but it can speed progress as part of a broader plan.
2. Manual Therapy and Soft-Tissue Treatment
Targeted manual care helps reduce muscle tension, improve circulation, and normalize movement around the joint.
Because bursitis often coexists with tendon irritation, treating the entire region—muscle, tendon, and joint—is more effective than focusing solely on the bursa.
3. Chiropractic Adjustments and Biomechanical Correction
When appropriate, we may adjust joints and regions that influence load through the involved area.
6. Bracing, Padding, and Sleep/Work Modifications
We may recommend padding, ergonomic changes, and sleep position adjustments to reduce compression and friction.
4. Exercise Therapy and Strengthening
We introduce exercises to restore motion, strengthen the joint region, and correct movement patterns.
How Our Approach Compares
Many facilities emphasize imaging, injections, or standardized protocols. Our focus is different:
Conservative care first for most non-infectious bursitis
Coordinated plan integrating manual care, rehab, and adjunct modalities when appropriate
Whole-person kinetic chain assessment
Clear education so you understand causes and prevention
Referral when indicated
Frequently Asked Questions About Bursitis
-
No. Arthritis involves the joint surfaces. Bursitis involves a nearby fluid-filled sac.
-
No. Many cases respond well to activity modification, manual therapy, exercise, and sometimes modalities like laser.
-
Yes, especially if the underlying mechanics or work habits are not changed.
-
Mild cases may improve within weeks. Chronic bursitis may take longer, especially with coexisting issues.
-
Often yes—with modifications. We’ll guide what to avoid and what you can safely continue.
Schedule Your Bursitis Evaluation in Medina, OH
Bursitis can make simple tasks unmanageable, but with a structured, conservative plan that reduces irritation and restores healthy movement, many patients experience meaningful relief without surgery.
If joint pain or swelling is limiting your daily activities, we are ready to help.
Serving Medina, Montville Township, Brunswick, Sharon Township, Valley City, Hinckley, and surrounding Northeast Ohio communities.
