Understanding Bursitis — and How Chiropractic Care Can Help Naturally
Bursitis occurs when the small, fluid-filled sacs that cushion your joints—called bursae—become inflamed and irritated. This can create sharp or aching pain around the shoulders, hips, elbows, knees, or heels, and can make simple movements like walking, reaching, or climbing stairs feel difficult. For many adults in Plano, Murphy, and Richardson, bursitis pain can slowly limit activity levels and quality of life.
While medications and rest may provide temporary relief, they often do not address the underlying imbalances in the body that allow bursitis to develop or persist. Because the bursae are influenced by joint alignment, movement patterns, and the way the nervous system controls muscles and posture, a neurologically focused approach can be an important part of long-term natural relief for bursitis.
At Vita Nova Chiropractic, we provide neurologically based chiropractic care to help restore proper spinal and joint function, improve nervous system communication, and support your body’s ability to heal. Using gentle adjustments and specialized protocols such as the Zone Technique, we help people in Plano, Murphy, and Richardson seek lasting relief from bursitis and return to the activities they love.
What Causes Bursitis?
Bursitis typically develops when a bursa is exposed to ongoing stress, pressure, or irritation. This may be from repetitive motion, poor biomechanics, misalignments in the spine or extremity joints, or systemic inflammation in the body. Over time, these stresses cause the bursa to swell and become painful, especially with movement or when pressure is applied over the affected area.
Repetitive Stress and Overuse
Activities that require the same motion over and over—such as throwing, kneeling, running, or lifting—can irritate the bursae. Workers, athletes, and even active parents in the Plano and Murphy areas often experience bursitis due to repeated strain on the same joints.
Poor Posture and Movement Patterns
Forward head posture, rounded shoulders, or imbalanced hips place abnormal pressure on specific joints and soft tissues. Over time, this uneven loading can inflame nearby bursae. At Vita Nova Chiropractic, we regularly see how correcting posture and alignment can reduce stress on irritated bursae.
Spinal and Extremity Misalignments (Subluxations)
When spinal or extremity joints do not move or align correctly—known in chiropractic as subluxations—this can change how weight and force are transferred through the body. These altered mechanics may cause certain bursae to work overtime, contributing to chronic bursitis pain in areas such as the shoulder, hip, knee, or heel.
Muscle Imbalances and Weakness
If some muscles are tight while others are weak, joints no longer move in a smooth, stable way. This can cause friction and pressure over the bursae. Neurologically based chiropractic helps improve muscle coordination by restoring clear communication between the brain and body.
Systemic Inflammation and Irritation
Overall inflammatory load in the body—from stress, sedentary lifestyle, or other health factors—can make bursae more reactive and sensitive. By improving nervous system balance, chiropractic care may support better regulation of inflammation and tissue healing.
Previous Injury or Trauma
Falls, sports injuries, car accidents, or past surgeries around a joint can alter normal joint motion and lead to ongoing irritation of a bursa. Correcting underlying joint and spinal alignment can help reduce this excess strain over time.
Common Symptoms of Bursitis
Bursitis most often affects the shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, or heel, but can occur around almost any major joint. Symptoms may develop gradually or come on suddenly after an increase in activity.
- Localized pain around a joint, often worse with movement or pressure
- Tenderness when touching or lying on the affected area
- Swelling or a feeling of fullness near the joint
- Stiffness and reduced range of motion
- Sharp pain with specific movements (e.g., reaching overhead, climbing stairs, kneeling)
- Aching pain at night or after prolonged activity
- Weakness or fatigue in the surrounding muscles due to pain
- Difficulty performing daily tasks like dressing, walking, or lifting objects
How Chiropractic Care Helps With Bursitis
Chiropractic care focuses on identifying and correcting subluxations—areas of misalignment and improper motion in the spine and other joints that can interfere with nerve communication. When these subluxations are present, they may change how your body moves and bears weight, placing added stress on nearby bursae and soft tissues.
Through gentle, precise adjustments, a bursitis chiropractor at Vita Nova works to reduce nerve interference so the brain and body can communicate more clearly. This neurologically focused care helps normalize muscle tone, coordination, and joint movement, which can reduce the abnormal friction and compression that aggravate a bursa.
In addition, restoring proper alignment can support better circulation and drainage around irritated tissues, aiding in the body’s natural inflammation resolution and healing processes. Many practice members in Plano, Murphy, and Richardson notice improved mobility, less stiffness, and more comfort with movement as their nervous system function and spinal alignment improve.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Bursitis
- Helps reduce joint and soft tissue stress contributing to bursitis pain
- Improves spinal and extremity alignment for healthier biomechanics
- Supports clearer brain-body communication through neurologically based chiropractic care
- May decrease local inflammation by restoring proper motion and function
- Enhances range of motion and joint flexibility
- Promotes more balanced posture and movement patterns
- Encourages natural, drug-free relief for bursitis and related discomfort
- Can complement medical or rehabilitative care plans
- Provides an individualized, holistic approach focused on long-term wellness
The Brain-Body Connection — Why Bursitis Affects More Than Pain
Your nervous system—brain, spinal cord, and nerves—controls every muscle contraction, joint motion, and healing response in the body. When the nervous system is stressed or disrupted by spinal subluxations, it can change how your body distributes weight, stabilizes joints, and responds to irritation. Over time, this can contribute to or worsen bursitis.
By focusing on the brain-body connection, Vita Nova Chiropractic aims to improve how your nervous system regulates posture, muscle tone, and movement. Many people report that as their spine and nervous system function better, they not only experience less bursitis pain, but also sleep better, feel more energetic, and move with greater ease. Techniques such as the Zone Technique are designed to balance specific brain centers, supporting overall function—not just symptom relief.
How Subluxations Contribute to Bursitis
Subluxations occur when joints, especially in the spine and extremities, are misaligned or not moving properly. These disruptions can interfere with nerve signals, alter muscle tension, and change how forces are transmitted through your body. When this happens around a joint that houses a bursa, that bursa may be forced to absorb more stress than it was designed to handle.
Over time, the combination of poor mechanics and altered nervous system control can inflame the bursa and make it more susceptible to ongoing irritation. Correcting subluxations through gentle chiropractic adjustments can help restore balance to the entire neuromusculoskeletal system, taking pressure off the bursae and allowing them to calm down.
- Uneven loading of joints increases friction over the bursa
- Altered nerve input and output change muscle tone around the joint
- Compensatory movement patterns develop, stressing additional bursae
- Inflammation may persist due to ongoing mechanical irritation
- Nearby tissues can become tight, weak, or hypersensitive, worsening pain
Scientific Evidence Supporting Chiropractic and Bursitis Relief
Effectiveness of manual therapy in the management of musculoskeletal disorders of the shoulder
This systematic review evaluated manual therapy approaches—including joint mobilization and manipulation—for shoulder conditions such as subacromial pain and bursitis. The authors found that manual therapy, when combined with exercise, improved pain and function in many patients. These findings support the role of hands-on care in improving joint mechanics related to bursae.
Spinal manipulation and clinical outcomes for chronic low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis
While focused on low back pain, this meta-analysis showed that spinal manipulation can produce meaningful improvements in pain and function for musculoskeletal complaints. By demonstrating how restoring spinal motion and alignment benefits chronic pain, the study supports using chiropractic adjustments as part of a comprehensive approach to conditions like bursitis that involve joint and soft tissue irritation.
Immediate effects of spinal manipulation on pain and muscle activation in patients with musculoskeletal pain
Researchers investigated how spinal manipulation affects pain levels and muscle activation in patients with various musculoskeletal complaints. The study found immediate reductions in pain and changes in muscle activity following adjustments. These results suggest that chiropractic care may quickly influence the neuromuscular system, which is crucial in managing abnormal joint loading associated with bursitis.
Our Approach at Vita Nova Chiropractic
Comprehensive Consultation
Your visit begins with a detailed consultation to discuss your health history, lifestyle, and specific bursitis concerns. We’ll talk about when your pain started, what makes it better or worse, and how it affects your daily life and activities in Plano, Murphy, or Richardson. This conversation helps us understand the bigger picture behind your symptoms.
Neurological & Spinal Assessment
We use thorough spinal, postural, and neurological assessments to identify areas of subluxation, restricted motion, and compensatory patterns that may be contributing to your bursitis pain. This may include range-of-motion testing, orthopedic checks, and non-invasive nervous system evaluations. Our goal is to find the root causes, not just chase the painful area.
Gentle, Targeted Adjustments
Based on your assessment, we deliver precise, gentle chiropractic adjustments tailored to your body and comfort level. These adjustments aim to restore proper alignment and motion in the spine and extremities, supporting better joint mechanics and reduced stress on irritated bursae. We utilize neurologically based methods to keep care safe, specific, and effective.
Ongoing Support & Progress Tracking
As your care progresses, we regularly re-evaluate your function, symptoms, and goals. We’ll discuss home strategies such as posture improvements, activity modifications, and simple exercises to support your healing. Our team walks with you through each phase of your recovery, celebrating improvements and adjusting your plan as your body changes.
Why Choose Vita Nova Chiropractic?
- Focus on neurologically based chiropractic care, not just symptom management
- Experience helping adults with joint, soft tissue, and bursitis-related concerns
- Gentle, specific techniques tailored to your comfort and needs
- Holistic, whole-body approach that respects your body’s innate healing ability
- Convenient location serving Plano, Murphy, and Richardson communities
- Thorough assessments that look at posture, alignment, and nervous system function
- Drug-free, non-surgical option for those seeking natural relief for bursitis
- Supportive, educational environment where your questions are welcomed
Frequently Asked Questions — Bursitis & Chiropractic Care
Can chiropractic care really help with bursitis, or just back pain?
Chiropractic care is widely known for helping with back pain, but it also addresses issues affecting many other joints and soft tissues. Because bursitis is often related to abnormal joint mechanics and nervous system imbalances, chiropractic adjustments can play a significant role in restoring proper movement and reducing irritation. By improving alignment and nervous system function, we can help create a healthier environment for the bursa to heal.
Will chiropractic care hurt my inflamed bursa?
Our goal is always to reduce pain and improve comfort, not add to it. At Vita Nova Chiropractic, adjustments are gentle and tailored to your condition and sensitivity level. We do not “twist” or force an inflamed joint; instead, we work with your spine and surrounding areas to relieve underlying stress. Many practice members notice that as their body relaxes and alignment improves, bursitis pain becomes more manageable.
How long does it take to see improvement in bursitis with chiropractic?
Every person and every case of bursitis is unique. Some people notice improved mobility and less discomfort within the first few visits, while others require more time as chronic issues are addressed. Factors such as how long you’ve had symptoms, your overall health, and your daily activities all influence healing time. We will review your progress regularly and discuss realistic expectations based on your individual situation.
Do I need imaging before starting chiropractic care for bursitis?
In some cases, imaging such as X-rays or other studies may be helpful to better understand joint alignment or rule out more serious issues. During your initial evaluation, we will determine whether imaging is recommended based on your history and examination findings. If needed, we will discuss appropriate next steps and collaborate with other healthcare providers when appropriate.
Is chiropractic care safe if I already see another provider for bursitis treatment?
Yes, chiropractic care can often complement the care you receive from other providers, including medical doctors or physical therapists. Our focus is on improving spinal alignment and nervous system function, which can support your body’s response to other therapies. We are happy to coordinate with your healthcare team to help you achieve the best possible outcome.
Ready to Get Relief From Your Bursitis?
If you are living with ongoing bursitis pain in the shoulder, hip, knee, elbow, or heel, you do not have to face it alone. A customized, neurologically based chiropractic approach may help reduce stress on irritated bursae and restore healthier movement so you can return to the activities you enjoy.
Contact Vita Nova Chiropractic today at (214) 380-5387 to schedule your initial evaluation. We proudly serve individuals and families from Plano, Murphy, Richardson, and the surrounding communities who are seeking gentle, natural relief for bursitis and a higher level of overall wellness.
Disclaimer
We do not diagnose or treat conditions, diseases, or symptoms. Our care is centered on improving the neuromusculoskeletal system by addressing spinal subluxations and the subluxation complex. Any improvement in overall health or function is the natural result of restoring proper spinal alignment and supporting the body’s innate ability to heal itself. For medical diagnosis or treatment, please consult a licensed medical professional.
