Bursitis Acupuncture Treatment Works Best

This post gives an in-depth description of bursitis and then describes how the bursitis acupuncture treatment works best to resolve pain and restore normal mobility. Bursitis is the inflammation of a bursa, a small fluid-filled sac that cushions the bones, tendons, joints, and muscles, allowing for smooth movement by reducing friction. This condition commonly arises from repetitive motion, injury, prolonged pressure on a joint, infections, or underlying health issues like rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and diabetes. Symptoms of bursitis include sharp or achy pain, visible swelling, increased tenderness, limited range of motion, and sometimes redness and warmth, especially if infection is present.

Bursitis Impacts Daily Life

Bursitis can significantly impact daily life. Persistent pain and discomfort may interfere with sleep, leading to fatigue and reduced quality of life. Limited mobility in the affected joint can hinder the performance of everyday tasks, affecting personal and professional activities and reducing productivity and independence. The condition can also lead to decreased physical activity due to pain and movement restrictions, potentially resulting in muscle weakness, stiffness, weight gain, and associated health issues.

Bursitis Takes An Emotional Toll

Emotionally and psychologically, chronic pain and limited mobility can cause frustration, anxiety, and depression, while the inability to engage in social and recreational activities can further affect mental health. If left untreated, bursitis can become chronic, leading to persistent pain and inflammation. In cases where bursitis is caused by an infection, there is a risk of the infection spreading, which requires prompt medical attention.

Typical Western Medicine Approach to Treating Bursitis

Typical management and treatment of bursitis involve a combination of rest, ice therapy, and medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to alleviate pain and inflammation. Physical therapy, including exercises and stretches, can improve flexibility and strength. Severe inflammation may require corticosteroid injections, and in rare cases, surgical intervention to drain or remove the inflamed bursa may be necessary. Lifestyle modifications, such as adjusting activities, using supportive devices, and practicing good ergonomics, are crucial in preventing the recurrence of bursitis.

However, what your doctor may not tell you is that the bursitis acupuncture treatment works best. Keep reading to learn more about this safe, highly effective therapy.

Bursitis commonly affects the following locations on the body:

Shoulder (Subacromial Bursitis)

• Inflammation of the subacromial bursa, located under the acromion (part of the shoulder blade).

Elbow (Olecranon Bursitis)

• Inflammation of the olecranon bursa, located at the tip of the elbow.

Hip (Trochanteric Bursitis)

• Inflammation of the bursa located over the greater trochanter of the femur.

Knee (Prepatellar Bursitis and Pes Anserine Bursitis)

• Prepatellar bursitis affects the bursa located in front of the kneecap.
• Pes anserine bursitis affects the bursa located on the inner side of the knee, below the joint.

Heel (Retrocalcaneal Bursitis)

• Inflammation of the bursa located between the Achilles tendon and the heel bone.

Buttocks (Ischial Bursitis)

• Inflammation of the bursa located over the ischial tuberosity (the bone you sit on).

These locations are prone to bursitis due to repetitive motion, pressure, or trauma that can irritate the bursae and cause inflammation.

Bursitis Acupuncture Treatment Works Best

Acupuncture can effectively resolve bursitis by targeting the underlying inflammation and promoting healing through enhanced blood circulation. During an acupuncture session, sterile, single-use, fine needles are inserted into specific points around the affected area. This stimulates the body’s natural healing processes by increasing local blood flow around the inflamed bursa.

The increased blood circulation brought about by acupuncture delivers essential nutrients and oxygen to the inflamed tissue, which helps reduce swelling and draw off the inflammation. As the inflammation subsides, the body can repair damaged tissues more effectively, promoting faster healing.

Additionally, acupuncture helps release endorphins, the body’s natural pain-relieving chemicals, which reduce pain and improve overall comfort. By addressing both inflammation and pain, acupuncture not only alleviates the symptoms of bursitis but also supports the body’s ability to heal itself, leading to long-term relief and recovery.

Acupuncture Points for Specific Bursitis Locations

Shoulder (Subacromial Bursitis)

• LI 15 (Jianyu): Located on the shoulder, in the depression anterior and inferior to the acromion, this point helps relieve shoulder pain and improve joint mobility.
• SI 9 (Jianzhen): Found just above the posterior axillary fold, this point reduces inflammation and eases shoulder discomfort.
• TB 14 (Jianliao): Positioned on the posterior aspect of the shoulder, in the depression inferior to the acromion, this point is effective in alleviating shoulder pain and swelling.

Elbow (Olecranon Bursitis)

• LI 11 (Quchi): Situated at the lateral end of the elbow crease, this point is excellent for reducing inflammation and alleviating elbow pain.
• LI 10 (Shousanli): Located 2 cun (approximately 2 finger widths) below LI 11, this point helps relieve pain and improve circulation in the elbow.
• TB 10 (Tianjing): Found in the depression 1 cun proximal to the olecranon, this point is beneficial for reducing elbow swelling and pain.

Hip (Trochanteric Bursitis)

• GB 29 (Juliao): Located on the lateral aspect of the hip, midway between the ASIS (anterior superior iliac spine) and the greater trochanter, this point helps relieve hip pain and inflammation.
• GB 30 (Huantiao): Situated at the junction of the lateral third and medial two-thirds of the distance between the greater trochanter and the sacral hiatus, this point is effective for hip pain and promoting blood circulation.
• Piriformis Motor Point: Found in the belly of the piriformis muscles, this point relieves spasms in the piriformis, easing pressure on the greater trochanter.

Knee (Prepatellar and Pes Anserine Bursitis)

• ST 35 (Dubi): Located just below the patella, on the lateral side of the patellar ligament, this point is excellent for reducing knee swelling and pain.
• SP 9 (Yinlingquan): Found on the lower leg, in the depression posterior and inferior to the medial condyle of the tibia, this point helps relieve knee inflammation and discomfort.
• GB 34 (Yanglingquan): Situated in the depression anterior and inferior to the head of the fibula, this point is also effective for knee pain and promoting blood flow.

Heel (Retrocalcaneal Bursitis)

• KI 3 (Taixi): Located in the depression between the medial malleolus and the Achilles tendon, this point helps reduce heel pain and inflammation.
• BL 60 (Kunlun): Found in the depression between the lateral malleolus and the Achilles tendon, this point is beneficial for heel discomfort and improving circulation.
• BL 57 (Chengshan): Situated in the depression formed below the bellies of the gastrocnemius muscle when the leg is stretched, this point helps alleviate heel pain and inflammation.

Buttocks (Ischial Bursitis)

• BL 36 (Chengfu): Located in the center of the gluteal fold, this point helps relieve pain and inflammation in the buttocks area.
• GB 30 (Huantiao): Positioned at the junction of the lateral third and medial two-thirds of the distance between the greater trochanter and the sacral hiatus, this point is also effective for buttocks pain and promoting blood circulation.
• BL 40 (Weizhong): Found in the center of the popliteal crease, this point helps reduce inflammation and discomfort in the buttocks and lower back.

Using these acupuncture points, practitioners can effectively target the specific areas impacted by bursitis, reducing inflammation and easing pain and discomfort for their patients.

Acupuncture Is Safe

Acupuncture is considered safe because it involves the use of fine, sterile, single-use needles that are carefully inserted into specific points on the body by trained practitioners. This minimally invasive technique carries a low risk of side effects or complications when performed by qualified professionals. Additionally, acupuncture promotes natural healing processes without the use of drugs, thereby avoiding the potential for adverse reactions or dependency. The practice is regulated, and practitioners are required to follow strict hygiene and safety protocols, further ensuring the safety of the treatment.

The practitioners at Raleigh Acupuncture have been effectively treating bursitis for the past twenty years. No matter what type of bursitis you have, the bursitis acupuncture treatment works best to resolve pain and restore normal function.

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