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BURSITIS
Checklist for Bursitis
| Rating | Nutritional Supplements | Herbs |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin B12 |
Boswellia Cayenne Turmeric Willow |
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| See also: Homeopathic Remedies for Bursitis | ||
 Reliable
and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit. Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies
suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit. An herb is primarily supported by traditional use, or
the herb or supplement has little scientific support and/or minimal health benefit. |
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What are the symptoms of bursitis? Acute bursitis causes pain, tenderness over the inflamed bursa, and limited range of motion. Chronic bursitis attacks may follow acute bursitis, unusual exercise, or strain. Attacks may last a few days to several weeks and are characterized by pain, swelling, and tenderness.
How is it treated? For non-infected, acute bursitis, temporary rest, immobilization (i.e., splinting), and high doses of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are standard. NSAIDs include aspirin, ibuprofen (e.g., Advil®, Motrin®, Nuprin®), naproxen (e.g., Aleve®, Naprosyn®), and others. When rest alone is inadequate to relieve pain, injections of local anesthetic (e.g., lidocaine) may be used. Narcotic pain-relievers are also used. Chronic bursitis is treated similarly, but splinting and rest are less likely to be helpful. Corticosteroid injections may reduce inflammation.
Nutritional supplements that may be helpful: In a preliminary study, intramuscular injections of vitamin B121 2 relieved the symptoms of acute subdeltoid (shoulder) bursitis and also decreased the amount of calcification in some cases. This mechanism is not understood. Oral B vitamins are unlikely to have the same effect, since the body’s absorption of vitamin B12 is quite limited. A doctor should be consulted regarding B12 or B12/niacin injections.
Herbs that may be helpful: While there have been few studies on herbal therapy for bursitis, most practitioners would consider using anti-inflammatory herbs that have proven useful in conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. These would include boswellia, turmeric, willow, and topical cayenne ointment.
References:
1. Klemes IS. Vitamin B12 in acute subdeltoid bursitis. Indust Med Surg 1957;26:290–2.
2. Kellman M. Bursitis: a new chemotherapeutic approach. J Am Osteopathic Assoc 1962;61:896–903.
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