Chronic Conditions · Trenton, MI
Bursitis
Physical therapy for bursitis at Total Body Rehab — evaluation-driven, one-on-one care in Trenton, serving all of Downriver.
Bursae are small fluid-filled cushions that reduce friction where tendons cross bone. When one is irritated — at the shoulder, hip, knee, or elbow — the area aches, swells, and resents pressure and repetitive motion.
Here's the key insight: bursitis is almost always a symptom of a mechanical problem, not the problem itself. Treat only the inflammation and it returns; fix the mechanics and it stays gone.
Common signs & symptoms
- Localized aching and swelling near a joint
- Pain lying on the affected side (classic at the hip)
- Pain with repetitive motion or direct pressure
- Warmth over the irritated area
- Stiffness after rest
How physical therapy helps
We settle the irritated bursa with activity modification and soft-tissue treatment, then correct what inflamed it: weak hip abductors behind hip bursitis, shoulder mechanics behind subacromial bursitis, kneeling habits behind knee bursitis. Strengthening the surrounding muscles is what keeps the friction — and the recurrence — away.
Treatments we use
- Activity modification
- Manual therapy
- Targeted strengthening
- Dry needling
- Mechanics correction
Frequently asked questions
Should I get the bursa drained or injected?
Sometimes appropriate — that's a physician decision, and injections can help acutely. But without fixing the mechanics that irritated the bursa, relief tends to be temporary. Rehab addresses the cause.
Why does my hip bursitis flare when I sleep on that side?
Direct pressure compresses the irritated tissue over the hip's bony point. A pillow between the knees and treatment of the underlying gluteal tendons usually resolves the night pain.
How long does bursitis take to settle?
Acute cases often calm within 2–4 weeks; the strengthening that prevents recurrence continues an additional month or so. Chronic bursitis follows tendon-rehab timelines — steady over 6–12 weeks.
This page is general education, not a diagnosis. For advice about your specific situation, schedule an evaluation or talk with your physician.