What Is Bursitis? And Why Your Shoulder, Elbow, or Hip Might Be Giving You Grief

Bursitis sounds serious, but it’s more common than you think—and often manageable with the right treatment. Whether you’re lifting weights in the gym, gardening, or just working at a desk all day, bursitis could be the cause of that discomfort you’re feeling in your joints.

What Is Bursitis?

Your body has about 160 tiny fluid-filled sacs called bursae. Their job is to act like cushions between bones, muscles, and tendons—reducing friction and making movement smooth.

Bursitis happens when one of these bursae becomes irritated or inflamed, often due to repetitive movement or pressure. The result: pain, swelling, tenderness, and stiffness, typically near a joint.

What Causes Bursitis?

The most common causes behind bursitis include:

• Repetitive activities: Think lifting, kneeling, typing, or throwing.
• Sudden injury: A blow or fall can trigger inflammation.
• Poor posture or biomechanics: Stressing joints the wrong way adds up over time.
• Underlying conditions: Rheumatoid arthritis, gout, or infection can contribute.

Who’s Most at Risk?

• Adults over 40
  • Why? Natural wear and tear increases bursa irritation
• Manual labourers and tradespeople
  • Why? Frequent joint stress (knees, elbows, shoulders)
• Athletes (especially swimmers, runners, and throwers)
  • Why? Repetitive motions and overtraining
• Office workers
  • Why? Poor desk ergonomics and sustained postures

How Is It Different from Other Injuries?

Bursitis is often confused with:

• Tendinopathy : Degeneration and inflammation of a tendon, not the bursa.
• Arthritis: Involves joint inflammation and stiffness throughout the joint—not the surrounding bursa.
• Strains or sprains: Involve muscles or ligaments and often result from acute injury, not overuse.

How Do You Treat and Recover from Bursitis?

• Rest and activity modification: Avoid movements that aggravate the area.
• Ice therapy: Helps reduce inflammation in the early stages.
• Gentle movement and rehab: Keeps stiffness at bay and improves joint function.
• Strengthening and stretching exercises: Target muscles around the joint for better support and reduced strain.
• Posture correction and ergonomic tweaks: To prevent recurrence, especially in work or sport settings.
• Massage therapy or manual techniques: To ease surrounding tension and improve recovery.

If you’re noticing persistent joint pain or swelling—especially after repeated activity—bursitis might be the hidden culprit. Don’t wait for it to get worse. Early intervention with a physiotherapist can make all the difference in healing and keeping you active, pain-free, and doing what you love.

Synergy Physio has clinics in Woking and Egham, which is easily assessable from Staines-upon-Thames, Sunningdale and Englefield Green and Virginia Water.