Bursitis

Symptoms

Bursitis is an inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs around a joint. These pockets, called “bursa,” provide joint lubrication. Inflammation of the bursa causes severe pain during movement. The joints of the shoulders, elbows, knees and Achilles’ tendons are most vulnerable. Frozen shoulder, tennis elbow and bunions are all examples of bursitis and often involve tendinitis as well. Typical inflammatory signs include redness and heat, swelling and tenderness. With rest, healing should not take longer than two weeks.

Causes

Bursitis is often caused by an injury or repetitive stress to the joint. It can occur with arthritis, an infection, or as a result of calcium deposits causing friction. Glucosamine is a nutrient that is found naturally in the body, mostly in cartilage. It is essentially a combination of glucose and amine, an ammonia derivative containing nitrogen and hydrogen atoms. With age, cartilage loses glucosamine and thins leading to joint pain, stiffness and swelling. Overexposure to cold causes a predisposition to inflammation. Bursitis at the Achilles’ tendon is common in young women as a result of poor shoe selection, when the hard back of the shoe presses continually against the tendon just above the heel. Bunions are also often associated with bursitis as a result of inappropriate footwear. Bursitis can become chronic, recurring frequently when the joint continues to undergo repeated strain and overuse.

Nutrition

To reduce inflammation and promote rapid healing, eat oranges and grapefruits which are rich in the antioxidant vitamin C. Make sure to include the white layer under the citrus peel which contains bioflavonoids to enhance the healing action of vitamin C. Essential fatty acids contained in unrefined vegetable and seed oils, such as flax seed oil or pumpkin seed oil, will also help inhibit inflammation. To prevent calcium deposits, which contribute to chronic bursitis, make sure that dietary calcium is taken with magnesium for the proper dissolution and absorption of calcium. Calcium and magnesium are contained in the proper proportion in green vegetables. Milk fortified with synthetic vitamin D is not the best calcium source because synthetic vitamin D tends to bind magnesium, causing it to be excreted. Silica, in the form of water-soluble vegetal silica, is extremely helpful in relieving bursitis. A good dietary source is organic oatmeal.

Nutritional Supplements

Vitamin C and bioflavonoids reduce inflammation and pain, and speed healing. Bioflavonoids act similarly and improve vitamin C absorption. Vitamins A and E, and silica benefit connective tissue repair.

Bromelain is an enzyme which acts as an anti-inflammatory when taken between meals.

Glucosamine supplements, in combination with proper diet and vitamins, can rebuild damaged cartilage. As an anti-inflammatory agent and painkiller, it is effective for long-term treatment of chronic illnesses. Most patients experience relief after taking glucosamine for six weeks.

If the problem persists, intramuscular injections of vitamin B12 and magnesium sulphate, by a physician have provided relief of pain and help break up calcium deposits over time. In some cases, vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) successfully treats bursitis. A vitamin B complex with at least 50 mg of vitamins B5 and B12 should be added to the protocol.

If the problem fails to improve with dietary change or supplementation, consider the possibility of food allergy, assimilation problems and digestive enzyme insufficiencies, especially hydrochloric acid.

Daily dosages:

Most Important

Vitamin C, with bioflavonoids, 3,000–5,000 mg in divided doses

Bromelain, 250 mg three times daily between meals

Glucosamine, 500 mg three times daily for four months

Helpful

Vitamin E, with mixed tocopherols, 400 IU

Vitamin A, 10,000 IU (avoid during pregnancy) or 25,000 IU beta-carotene

Vitamin B5, 1,500–3,000 mg daily for six weeks

Vitamin B complex, 50 mg

Silica, 1,000 mg

Herbal Remedies

Apply warm comfrey, horsetail or oat straw compresses to the affected area help relieve the pain and stiffness.

Arnica and comfrey salves help speed healing.

Use a hot mullein poultice to relieve the pain.

With pus inflammation, apply hot fenugreek seed packs.

Alfalfa, chaparral and stinging nettle juices supply the minerals needed for nourishing and strengthening the tissues. Another good combination is horsetail and oat straw juice and a dash of capsicum. Take 1 tbsp. of juice daily.

Curcumin is the yellow pigment of turmeric and in some studies it has been reported to be as effective as cortisone without any of the associated side-effects. Take 500–1,000 mg three times daily on an empty stomach for about six weeks.

Homeopathy

Use one of the remedies below in a 6c strength, placing 2 tablets under the tongue three times daily. Take as necessary for not longer than two weeks.

Apis is particularly useful when swelling, accompanied by heat and redness, predominates. The affected part is made worse by heat and the pains may be stinging in character.

Use Rhus toxicodendron if there is a great deal of stiffness, made worse by resting and improved by movement and heat. Swelling and tearing pains are present. Consider Rhus toxicodendron if cold and dampness worsens or brings on the symptoms.

If even the slightest movement or jarring causes pain, and heat makes it worse, Bryonia is indicated.

Tissue Salts

Take 4 tablets under the tongue every hour if the pain is severe, then three times daily as necessary.

As after any injury with swelling, use Ferr phos to reduce inflammation.

Kali mur is helpful to decrease swelling.

Calc phos promotes healthy cellular activity and restores tone to weakened tissues.

Calc fluor maintains tissue elasticity.

External/Physical Therapies

Pulsed electromagnetic therapy is highly recommended to eliminate pain, as well as to increase blood circulation, bringing the required nutrients to the injured area.

During the acute stage, rest and immobilize the affected part.

As soon as acute symptoms subside, gentle movement will help recovery.

Apply hot potato or cabbage leaf packs to promote healing.

Apple cider vinegar compresses relieve pain and stiffness.

Place a protective pad on the affected area to avoid friction.

Reflexology

For bursitis in the shoulder, work the reflexes of the adrenal glands, shoulder, neck, mid-back, hip and arm area, as per illustration.

Available Brand Name Products

Nutritional Supplements

Super Bromelain (Albi)

Ascorbate/Non-acidic Vitamin C (Ester-C)

Flax Oil (Flora)

Flax-O-Mega 1,000 mg (Flora)

Udo’s Choice: Ultimate Oil Blend

(Flora)

Udo’s Choice: Ultimate Oil Blend Capsules (Flora)

Beta Carotene (Natural Factors)

Beta Green (Natural Factors)

Bromelain Extra Strength (Natural Factors)

Calcium and Magnesium Citrate

(Natural Factors)

Flax Seed Oil 1,000 mg (Natural Factors)

Flax Seed Oil Liquid (Natural Factors)

Glucosamine Sulfate (Natural Factors)

Vitamin A (Natural Factors)

Advanced Glucosamine Sulfate

(Quest Vitamins)

Herbal Remedies

Dr. Dunner Pagosid Devil’s Claw Root 410 (Flora)

FloraSil (Flora)

Horsetail Leaves (Flora)

Green Magma (Green-foods)

Joint Ease (Natural Factors)

Muscle and Joint (Natural Factors)

Turmeric Extract (Natural Factors)

Alfalfa Leaves (Nature’s Herbs)

ArthPlus (Nature’s Herbs)

Curcumin-Power (Nature’s Herbs)

Inflam-Aid (Nature’s Herbs)

Silica-Power (Nature’s Herbs)

Inflamma-Force (Prairie Naturals)

Homeopathy

Bryonia (Nelsons Homeopathy)

Rhus Tox (Nelsons Homeopathy)

Ruta (Nelsons Homeopathy)

External Therapies

Glucosamine/Chondroitin Topical Gel

(Inno-Vite)

Chamomile Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)

Lavender Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)

Marjoram Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)