Bursitis: What It Is and How Physiotherapy Can Help

Reviewed by the Physiotherapy Team at Waterloo Sports Medicine Centre 

If you've ever experienced pain when moving your shoulder, kneeling, or walking, bursitis may be the cause. Bursitis is a common condition that can affect people of all ages, particularly those who perform repetitive movements at work, during sports, or in everyday activities.  

What Is Bursitis? 

Bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs located throughout the body that help reduce friction between bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Bursitis occurs when one of these bursae becomes irritated or inflamed, leading to pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the affected joint.

Bursitis can develop in several areas of the body, but it most commonly affects the: 

• Shoulder (subacromial bursitis) 

• Hip (trochanteric bursitis) 

• Knee (prepatellar bursitis) 

• Elbow (olecranon bursitis) 

• Heel (retrocalcaneal bursitis) 

  
  

Common Symptoms of Bursitis

• Localized pain or tenderness 

• Visible swelling and redness around the joint 

• Pain with movement or activity 

• Stiffness 

• Reduced range of motion 

Superficial bursitis affects bursae located close to the skin's surface, causing visible swelling, tenderness, warmth, and sometimes redness over the affected area. 

Deep bursitis may not produce obvious swelling because the inflamed bursa is located deeper within the body, typically at the shoulder and hip. 

What Causes Bursitis? 

Bursitis is often caused by repeated stress or overuse of a joint.

• Repetitive lifting, reaching, kneeling, or overhead activities 

• Sudden increases in physical activity 

• Poor movement patterns or biomechanics 

• Direct pressure on a joint for prolonged periods 

• Injuries or trauma 

• Underlying conditions such as arthritis, gout, or diabetes

  
  

How Can Physiotherapy Help? 

Physiotherapy is often one of the most effective treatments for bursitis. Rather than simply treating symptoms, physiotherapy aims to address the underlying factors contributing to irritation of the bursa. 

Your physiotherapist may focus on: 

• Reducing pain and inflammation 

• Improving joint mobility and flexibility 

• Correcting movement patterns and biomechanics 

• Strengthening surrounding muscles 

• Improving posture and body mechanics 

• Developing a gradual return-to-activity plan 

  
  

How Long Does Recovery Take? 

Many mild cases improve within a few weeks with activity modification and physiotherapy. More persistent cases may take 6 to 12 weeks or longer to fully resolve, particularly when symptoms have been present for several months before treatment begins. Early assessment and treatment can often help prevent symptoms from becoming chronic and improve overall recovery outcomes.