I have bursitis

[Bree]

My doctor put me on a steroid pack & gave me some pain pills, and told me not to massage for a week and ice, ice ice! My doctor says I'm probably not doing anything wrong, it's just a result of overuse. If it doesn't get better with the steroid pack, or if it gets better but comes back in the future, I'll need to have cortisone injections into my shouler :undecided: I really don't want that! I'm really down about this... I love doing bodywork, and I'm a little scared that this is going to hinder my career.

Anyone have any suggestions as to how I can help this heal faster, and how to keep from getting it again?

ETA- The bursitis is sub-acromial bursitis. Also, the swelling is causing a nerve to be pinched, and I keep getting shooting jolts down to my elbow

 

[businessman95]

That seriously bites.

It took my dad a full six weeks to get over an olecranon bursitis. But, he was in construction, so maybe he wasn't quite as good about icing as you'll be. *wink*

BTW, it hasn't back again. He had it in something like 1997 and he retired last year, so it's not like he didn't keep working.

Hang in there. It can be tough, but I think overall, once it's gone, take care of yourself and you'll find it won't hinder you in the long run.

 

[jpayne1324]

Last night it was feeling better before I went to bed, but when I woke up this morning it was hurting again, and the pain was a little more superior than it was at first. I kept ice on it this morning for a couple hours, and I've had my arm in a sling all day, and more ice this evening. The pain is more like a dull ache now, and the nerve pains are pretty much gone.

A fellow MT showed me today how to move my waist more & my shoulders less during a massage. By watching her, I was able to see that I have been using my shoulders a bit more than I should, so I'm going to alter my stance.

 

[========]

Time, ice, anti inflammatories if prescribed. I had bursitis in my hip when I worked at the doc's office (not doing massage). They weren't my docs and I never went to my own to get treated although it might have made it easier if I had. I wasn't able to take off any time and in retrospect I probably should have since I was on my feet all day long. But the office manager really gave me a hard time when I had to have some enlarged axillary lymph nodes removed and took 1 day off for the surgery....so glad I'm out of there.

Rest it as much as possible. Although my hip hurt like heck, I've never had a recurrence. Feel better soon.

 

[ntouchspa]

Time, ice, and intiinflammatories are all helpful, but you must take a look at causative factors. AS bodyworkers, we tend to shorten through the anterior shoulder and chest due to prolonged internal rotation of the shoulders. Opening up the chest and front of the shoulder is vital, just as in our clients. Self stretching to the pecs and shoulder, as well as treatment for the same, can help both with reducing the irritation as well as preventing re-occurance. The "itis" diagnosis is often just the description of the symptom, rather than a clue to the cause. Reduce the tightness in the region and symptoms will reduce or go away.

 

[Alexandra D]

Pink,
I had bursitis in my glenohumeral joint while I was in MT school. I missed 5 weeks of hands on. I couldn't abduct my arm even a few inches. My advice is to follow doctor's orders FANATICALLY. The only way to speed up healing is to NOT use your arm. Ice, Ice baby, and anti-inflams as prescribed.

You will get better, it may or may not return. It's been a couple years since I suffered with this, and every once in a while when I feel a little twinge, I immediately ice and take Aleve.

You['ll get past this, promise! :kiss:

 

[Jackie the Peace Maker]

Thanks for all the helpful replies. It eases my mind to know that I'm not the only one who's had this. This morning my shoulder felt better, however my neck hurt on the right side. I got a massage in school today & we found a big knot in my neck, and my right rhomboids are just a mess. I felt better afterwards, and was able to give a 40 minute massage with little pain in my shoulder. I also saw a client this evening & did a full hour without pain.

My husband finally convinced me to see his chiropractor, and he was able to get me in today without an appointment. I told him about my bursitis, and he felt of my neck & said my C3 & C4 were "out of whack" and that is helping to cause the bursitis. I've also had problems with my hip since having my son 2 years ago, and when he assessed my hips & legs, he said my left leg is shorter than the right! Also, my L4 is "out of whack." He adjusted me, and it sounded like someone stepping on bubble wrap : It felt good right afterwards, but I am in sooo much pain right now! My left hip is sore, but my neck is inflamed & my shoulder is killing me.

I think I probably overdid it today :undecided: I'm going to do nothing except lay around with ice on my neck/shoulder all weekend, lol.