Bursitis is an inflammation of the bursa, which is a small, fluid-filled sac which lubricates and cushions pressure points between the bones, tendons and muscles near the joints. Bursae help the joints to maneuver with ease. Common symptoms of bursitis include a dull ache or stiffness near the elbow, hip, knee, shoulder, big toe or other joints; a worsening of pain with movement or pressure; swelling, warmth and redness in the realm. Common causes of bursitis include overuse, stress and direct trauma to a joint. Bursitis might also result from an infection, arthritis or gout.
The Ayurvedic treatment of bursitis is aimed toward controlling the pain and reducing the swelling and inflammation within the bursae. Medicines like Triphala-Guggulu, Yograj-Guggulu, Kaishor-Guggulu, Vat-Gajankush-Ras, Maha-Vat-Vidhwans-Ras and Vish-Tinduk-Vati are used to regulate pain, swelling and inflammation. Local application on the affected parts might be done using medicines like Vishgarbha oil, Mahanarayan oil and Mahasaindhav oil. Local steam fomentation of the affected parts using decoctions like Dashmool-Qadha and Nirgundi-Qadha can also be a really effective procedure for reducing pain and swelling.
For patients who don’t reply to the above medicines, additional treatment is required to regulate the pain and swelling. In such situations, medicines like Trayodashang-Guggulu, Tapyadi-Loh and Ekang-Veer-Ras are used for prolonged periods. If the bursitis is as a result of an infection, medicines like Sukshma-Triphala, Panch-Tikta-Ghrut-Guggulu and Gandhak-Rasayan are used with a purpose to treat the infection. In some refractory patients, the local application of leeches brings a couple of dramatic relief from pain and swelling.
With adequate treatment and rest, bursitis normally disappears inside a few weeks. In an effort to prevent bursitis or its reoccurrence, it’s advisable to interact in regular physical activity and exercise carefully to strengthen the muscles. It will be significant to keep up an excellent posture, to avoid prolonged and repetitive tasks, and to avoid sitting still in a single position for a very long time.
