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Massage Therapy for Bursitis

Joints that repeat the same motion over and over are subject to bursitis, an inflammation of the fluid-filled sac which cushions the area where tendons or muscles meet bones or skin.

2 min read
Last Modified: Apr 26, 2020

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This "bursa" is meant to prevent friction, but when it gets inflamed the result is bursitis - which can affect your shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, heel or big toe. Bursitis may cause tenderness and pain around the affected joint, a sense of stiffness when you move, and redness, warmth and swelling in the area.

RELIEVING SYMPTOMS

Avoiding repetitive motion might be one way to relieve bursitis, but that isn't practical for people whose work or preferred activity requires such motion. In addition, sometimes the condition is caused by arthritis, infection, injury or other factors you can't prevent. That's where massage comes in handy.

Myofascial release therapy applies pressure that releases or loosens tightness in your fascia, the protective layer which surrounds your bones, muscles and joints. Tell your professional massage therapist that you're suffering from bursitis, and you'll receive a massage customized for your particular situation.

TYPES OF MASSAGE

Depending on the amount of pressure required to provide the relief you need, you might experience any of these treatments at Massage Envy:

  • Swedish Relaxation Massage, which helps decrease muscle toxins and stress hormones while promoting circulation, flexibility and relaxation
  • Deep Tissue Massage, which addresses the deepest layers of muscle tissue, fascia and tendons to release chronic muscle tension
  • Hot Stone Envy™, which helps reduce muscle spasms, pain and chronic tension while increasing the blood flow that nourishes muscles