What is the best treatment for bursitis?

A combination of activity changes, targeted exercises, and pain relief strategies is usually recommended. A physiotherapist can help guide this process.

How long does bursitis take to heal?

Recovery varies from weeks to months depending on the bursa involved, load levels, and general health.

Do I need a cortisone injection for bursitis?

Some people benefit from an image-guided injection when pain remains high. This is usually combined with physiotherapy rather than used alone.

When should I see a doctor urgently for bursitis?

Seek immediate care if the area is hot, red, swollen, or if you have a fever or feel unwell, as this may indicate infection or another serious problem.

Bursitis Treatment

Article by
John Miller,
Shane Armfield

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Woman pointing to shoulder for bursitis treatment in a PhysioWorks clinic — Physiotherapy Can Help Reduce Shoulder Bursitis Pain.

How Is Bursitis Treated?

Bursitis treatment aims to calm the irritated bursa, reduce pain, and restore comfortable movement. Early assessment by a physiotherapist can help identify why the bursa became overloaded and guide a safe, progressive recovery plan. Many people benefit from a mix of activity changes, targeted exercises, and, in some cases, medication or injections discussed with their doctor.

You can learn more about bursitis causes and common flare patterns here.

Your bursa sits between bones, tendons, and soft tissues to reduce friction. When these structures rub or compress the bursa too much, it can become swollen and painful. Common areas include the shoulder, hip, knee, elbow, and heel. If your bursitis is part of a broader joint pain or arthritis picture, your physiotherapist can adapt your bursitis treatment plan to suit your health and activity goals.

Common Causes of Bursitis

Bursitis often develops from one or more of the following factors:

Repetitive movements or sustained postures that compress the bursa.
Sudden increases in training load or unaccustomed activity.
Direct trauma, such as a bump, fall, or prolonged kneeling.
Underlying joint or tendon problems that change how you move.
Systemic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout, or diabetes.
Occasionally, infection inside the bursa (septic bursitis).

For a detailed medical overview of bursitis, see the NCBI clinical summary. A physiotherapist can assess your movement patterns and identify which factors are most relevant to your bursitis.

Symptoms of Bursitis

Bursitis symptoms vary depending on the region, but often include:

Localised pain near a joint.
Tenderness on direct pressure over the bursa.
Swelling or a feeling of fullness around the area.
Reduced movement due to pain.
Discomfort with lying, leaning, or kneeling.

If the area becomes red, hot, or if you feel unwell, this may suggest infection and requires urgent medical review.

Physiotherapy-Led Bursitis Treatment

Physiotherapy is central to bursitis treatment. Your physiotherapist may use:

Load modification to settle irritation and reduce pressure on the bursa.
Targeted strengthening and stretching to support joint movement and improve control.
Movement coaching to reduce compression on the bursa during daily tasks and sport.
Manual therapy where helpful to improve comfort and mobility.
Electrotherapy modalities for selected cases, as part of a broader plan.
Education on flare-up management and long-term prevention strategies.

Exercise-based rehabilitation is an important part of modern bursitis management. Your physiotherapist will pace your exercises so that they feel achievable rather than aggravating. Bursitis physiotherapy treatment focuses on restoring safe movement while progressively improving your joint control and load tolerance.

Home Care Strategies

Simple home strategies can support your bursitis treatment:

Apply a wrapped ice pack for 15–20 minutes as tolerated, unless advised otherwise.
Use supportive positions or padding, such as pillows or kneeling pads, to reduce pressure.
Reduce clearly aggravating activities while you recover.
Return to normal tasks gradually instead of all at once.

If your pain worsens despite home care, arrange a review with your physiotherapist or doctor.

Medication and Injection Options

Your doctor may suggest medical options alongside physiotherapy:

NSAIDs: Oral anti-inflammatory medicines or anti-inflammatory gels may help some people.
Corticosteroid injections: Image-guided injections can reduce pain in selected cases. These are usually combined with exercise and load management.
Antibiotics: If septic bursitis is suspected, prompt medical review and antibiotics are important.
Surgery: Surgical removal of a bursa is rarely required and is generally reserved for cases that do not respond to well-planned conservative care.

Your physiotherapist can liaise with your doctor when injections, imaging, or other medical options are being considered.

When Should You Worry?

Seek urgent care if you have:

Rapid swelling or redness around the bursa.
Severe or escalating pain.
Fever, chills, or feeling unwell.
Inability to bear weight or use the limb.

Book a physiotherapy or medical review promptly if:

Symptoms last more than a few days without improvement.
Pain keeps returning once you resume activity.
Your pain is limiting sleep, work, or sport.

Early bursitis treatment can shorten recovery time and reduce the chance of ongoing irritation.