Tendonitis & Bursitis: A Reader-Friendly Guide to Understanding & Healing ๐ชโจ
In this guide, we break down tendonitis and bursitis into simple sectionsโcovering symptoms, causes, natural remedies, and the chiropractic connection. Letโs dive in! ๐โโ๏ธ
What Are Tendonitis and Bursitis? ๐ค
- Tendonitisย is the inflammation of tendons. It typically causes:
- Pain: Acute or chronic discomfort during movement. ๐ฅ
- Weakness: Often associated with noticeable muscle weakness in the affected area. ๐๏ธโโ๏ธ
- Bursitisย involves inflammation of the bursae (the cushioning sacs around your joints), leading to:
- Pain: Deep, aching discomfort during movement. ๐
- Strength: Typically does not result in muscle weakness. ๐ช

Causes & Common Locations ๐
Both conditions can result from overuse, trauma, or simply aging. However, they affect different parts of your body:
Tendonitis (Inflammation of Tendons)
- Biceps Tendinitis:
- Location: The long head of the biceps tendon in the shoulder.
- Causes: Repetitive overhead movements like lifting or throwing. ๐๏ธโโ๏ธ
- Symptoms:ย Pain in the front of the shoulder, especially when lifting or reaching, sometimes with a clicking sensation. ๐
- Elbow Tendinitis (Tennis Elbow/Golferโs Elbow):
- Location: Tendons around the lateral (outside) or medial (inside) epicondyle of the elbow.
- Causes: Repetitive gripping, twisting, or lifting. ๐คฒ
- Symptoms: Pain when gripping or twisting along with forearm weakness. ๐ค

Bursitis (Inflammation of Bursae)
- Shoulder Bursitis (Subacromial Bursitis):
- Location: Under the acromion (bony part of the shoulder).
- Causes: Repetitive shoulder movements. ๐
- Symptoms: Pain when raising your arm, tenderness, and mild swelling. ๐ฃ
- Hip Bursitis (Trochanteric Bursitis):
- Location: Outer side of the hip.
- Causes: Repetitive movement or prolonged pressure (for example, lying on one side). ๐ถโโ๏ธ
- Symptoms: Pain on the outer hip, which can worsen when walking or climbing stairs. ๐โโ๏ธ

Natural Approaches to Healing ๐ฑ
When to Seek Medical Help ๐
- Acute Phase:
- If you experience sudden, intense pain with a loss of movement, seek immediate medical care. ๐
- Persistent Pain:
- If pain continues for two weeks even without movement loss, itโs a good time to consult your healthcare provider. ๐ฉบ
Treatment Steps
- Acute Phase (First 24 to 48 Hours):
- Ice Therapy:
- Apply ice on the affected area to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. โ๏ธ
- Ice Therapy:
- Recovery Phase (After 48 Hours):
- Therapeutic Modalities:
Consider using techniques such as:- Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) โก
- Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF) ๐ก
- Ultrasound Therapy ๐ป
- Therapeutic Modalities:

Nutritional & Herbal Remedies ๐๐ฟ
- Vitamin C:
- Crucial for repairing injured tendons and bursae. ๐
- Bromelain:
- A natural enzyme that reduces tissue inflammation and edema, potentially shortening recovery time by half. ๐
- Curcumin:
- The active ingredient in turmeric, known for its potent anti-inflammatory properties. โจ

The Chiropractic Connection ๐
- Structural Balance:
- Misalignments in your spine can alter body mechanics, stretching tendons or putting pressure on bursae. โ๏ธ
- Nervous System Health:
- A well-aligned spine helps your nervous system effectively monitor injuries.
- Chiropractic adjustments can reduce spinal stress, ensuring your bodyโs natural healing responses work efficiently. ๐คธโโ๏ธ
Summary ๐
Understanding the differences between tendonitis and bursitis is key to effective management. By:
- Identifying symptoms early ๐,
- Following natural healing strategies during both the acute and recovery phases ๐ฑ, and
- Integrating chiropractic care to restore structural balance ๐๏ธโโ๏ธ,
โฆyou can take proactive steps toward recovery and long-term musculoskeletal health.
Thank you for reading our guide. Stay tuned for our next edition, where weโll explore personalized exercise routines and additional nutritional tips for optimal joint health. ๐
With health and balance