Natural Remedies for Treating Bursitis

One of the causes of bursitis is joint overload. Adopt the right habits for treating bursitis and, in turn, don't force your joints to do too much work. 
Natural Remedies for Treating Bursitis

Written by Solimar Cedeño

Last update: 11 June, 2022

Common activities like walking for long periods of time, lifting heavy objects or doing strenuous sports can all damage our joints. This can later turn into painful bursitis. To help treat the pain, we recommend that you take these 6 natural remedies for treating bursitis.

Bursitis is a common condition after your joints have been subjected to blows, excessive physical effort or exhausting activities that you aren’t used to doing. It involves inflammation of the sacs of fluid that surround your joints. These sacs allow for movement in the joint area by mobilizing the tendons and ligaments.

How do you know if you have bursitis?

It’s easy: pay attention to signs like:

  • There’s increased volume in the area of the affected joint.
  • In addition, the joint is painful to move.
  • There’s a gradual decrease in pain when you are at rest.

If you think you might have bursitis, what should you do?

  1. First, go to your doctor. They’re your main ally for treating bursitis, a condition that can appear in any of your joints.
  2. Then, they’ll ask you some questions involving your job, any activities you did during the day, and any external factors that may have caused your bursitis. Then, they’ll move the affected joint using certain medical maneuvers.
  3. In addition, the visit may also include some blood and radiology tests in order to rule out any other conditions.

So, if your doctor diagnosed you with bursitis, now what?

First, don’t panic. Fortunately, it’s a curable condition whose treatment and care is quite simple and easy to do.

There are many different treatment options. Which of the following 6 natural remedies for bursitis you choose will just depend on you. Overall, they’re all a great help that you will be able to do from the comfort of your home.

1. Rest and cold compresses for treating bursitis

treating bursitis

First of all, rest is the fundamental basis of this treatment. Keeping the affected joint out of use and resting on a soft surface will help relieve the pain.

  • Alternate applying an ice or cold pack every 20 minutes to help with the inflammation.
  • Remember to keep this routine constant for at least 4 to 5 days.

2. Apple cider vinegar

treating bursitis

Next, this liquid has been used since ancient times in the Roman Empire as a gastronomic ingredient. Its natural anti-inflammatory effect makes it quite effective for treating bursitis. It helps to alkalize the blood through the use of certain mineral substances like phosphorus, calcium and potassium.

Read more: 
Everything You Need to Know About Bursitis

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar (15 ml)
  • 1 tablespoon of honey (25 g)

What to do?

  • First, mix both ingredients.
  • Then, apply them directly to the affected area and cover with a towel for 15 minutes.
  • It will offer immediate relief and will improve swelling

3. Ginger

treating bursitis

Next, this root can help as a very effective pain relief remedy. It has multiple antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic benefits that are very helpful for treating bursitis.

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons of grated ginger (45 g)
  • 1 glass of water (200 ml)

What to do?

  • First, infuse the ginger in a glass of hot water and then apply it to the affected joint.
  • Repeat the treatment 2 to 3 times a day.

4. Essential oils

treating bursitis

Using nutmeg, coconut or peppermint oils to massage the affected joint can help with circulation. Plus, it will also relieve pain and inflammation.

This technique was used in oriental medicine to treat rheumatological diseases. Currently, it’s still a highly effective therapy.

5. Eat healthy

treating bursitis

Diet plays a fundamental role in getting the nutrients you need for bone repair and muscle relaxation. There are many recommended minerals:

  • Magnesium is one of the essential elements to help with calcium and phosphorus absorption. Foods like cocoa powder, almonds, pumpkin seeds, watermelon and sunflower seeds are rich in this mineral.
  • In addition, by adding vitamins A and B to your usual diet, you will have the anti-inflammatory effect you need to relieve your bursitis. Carrots, tomatoes and citrus fruits are rich in these nutrients.

6. Lifestyle change

treating bursitis

One of the main goals is to get back to our lifestyle after having bursitis. Aside from rest and analgesic therapy, we recommend making certain changes to your daily routine. Overall, this will help keep the pain from worsening and keep it moving correctly.

  • Swimming helps strengthen your muscles and keeps your tendons lax.
  • In addition, you should also wear low rise, comfortable shoes that don’t affect your walk.
  • In addition, remember to reduce long-distance walks. 
  • Finally, remember to have routine doctor check-ups. This will give you the necessary tools and therapy that will best suit your lifestyle, which will help you achieve physical and mental well-being.

All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.



This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.