If you’ve ever felt a painful lump near a joint that aches when you move, you’ve probably dealt with bursitis. It’s caused by inflamed fluid‑filled sacs (bursae) that cushion bones, tendons, and muscles. The good news? Most cases settle down with a few smart moves you can start today.
First, protect the affected area. Stop doing anything that makes the pain worse—skip heavy lifting, avoid repetitive motions, and give the joint a break. Rest doesn’t mean lying on the couch all day; it just means limiting the specific activity that triggered the flare‑up.
Cold therapy is your fastest friend. Pack an ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas) in a thin towel and apply it for 15‑20 minutes, three to four times a day. The chill shrinks blood vessels, easing swelling and numbing pain.
After the first 48 hours, you can switch to heat for a few minutes at a time to relax tightened muscles. Warm showers, heating pads, or a warm towel work well—just keep the heat gentle to avoid burns.
OTC anti‑inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve) can cut pain and swelling. Stick to the label dosage and check with a pharmacist if you have stomach, kidney, or heart issues.
Gentle stretching keeps the joint from stiffening. Try a light range‑of‑motion exercise: raise your arm or leg just enough to feel a gentle pull, hold for a few seconds, then lower. Do this a few times a day, but stop if it hurts.
If pain lasts more than a week, gets worse, or you notice redness, fever, or a sudden loss of movement, it’s time to get professional help. A doctor may aspirate fluid from the bursa to reduce pressure and check for infection.
Physical therapy can speed recovery. A therapist will teach you targeted exercises that strengthen surrounding muscles, improve joint stability, and prevent future flare‑ups.
In stubborn cases, a short course of prescription steroids may be injected directly into the bursa. This can dramatically cut inflammation, but it’s usually a last‑resort option after other methods fail.
Rarely, surgery is needed to remove a chronically inflamed bursa. It’s a quick outpatient procedure with a short rehab period, but most people recover fully without going under the knife.
Bottom line: start with rest, ice, and OTC meds, add gentle movement, and watch for red flags. Most bursitis episodes improve within a couple of weeks, letting you get back to your daily routine faster than you’d expect.
Need more detailed guidance? Check out our related articles on anti‑inflammatory drugs, safe online pharmacy purchases, and physical therapy tips—all designed to help you manage pain and stay healthy.
Learn what bursitis is, why it happens, how to spot the signs and which treatments work best to get you moving again.