Hip bursitis induces pain and swelling in the hip area, making everyday life difficult. Bursitis refers to the inflammation of a bursa. A bursa is a fluid-filled sac that protects muscles, ligaments, tendons, and skin from rubbing against bone and causing friction. There are around 160 bursae in the human body. Bursae near the knees, heels, shoulders, elbows, and hips become inflamed more frequently than the others. This is how hip bursitis develops. Keep reading to learn more about hip bursitis and how to treat it. Scroll down!
What Causes Bursitis In The Hip?
Hip bursitis or trochanteric bursitis is the inflammation of bursa in the hip region. This occurs due to the vigorous activities that inflict pressure on the bones or the bursa. The common cause for hip bursitis are –
Incorrect posture at work or home Exertion of the hip muscles and joints due to over-activity Bone spurs Injury to the hip Spinal issues
If you have one leg that is longer than the other, it increases the risk of developing trochanteric bursitis. Medical conditions such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and thyroid diseases can also cause hip bursitis (1).
What Are Bursitis Symptoms?
Symptoms of hip bursitis include –
Hip pain which can be sharp initially and then become a constant pain Pain in the outer thighs Swelling at the affected site Stiffness in the hip joint Clicking sensation at the hip Difficulty in walking (1)
Bursitis is not serious in nature. It can be easily cured with proper care of the injured or inflamed area. Home remedies are enough to cure the ailment, but if this issue is recurring frequently, you should surely consult your doctor. Let’s check out the best home remedies to cure the ailment.
How To Get Rid Of Hip Bursitis
Top 10 Home Remedies For Hip Bursitis
1. Essential Oils For Hip Bursitis
1/4 cup olive oil 4-5 drops of German chamomile oil or basil oil or rosemary oil or sweet birch oil or wintergreen oil or myrrh oil or helichrysum oili Oil made from the flowering plants in the sunflower family, which eases inflammation and also helps lower pain. or copaiba oil
Repeat this every night until the hip bursitis heals. Most of these essential oils possess anti-inflammatory properties that will reduce the swelling. They also provide heat to the skin as they are warm in nature. This can help to ease the pain and give relief (2), (3), (4), Sweet birch oil and wintergreen oil are safe for short-term use only.
2. Heat Or Ice For Hip Bursitis
An ice pack A heat pack
Use this remedy as and when required. This is a standard treatment when it comes to treating muscular pains. The initial application of the ice pack helps to reduce the pain and swelling, and numb the area. Then, the application of heat will enhance circulation to the affected site and help to heal the inflammation further. A final application of the ice pack ensures that the muscles and joints do not get inflamed again (5).
3. Massage Therapy For Hip Bursitis
1-2 teaspoons castor oil Repeat this every night, before going to bed, until you get relief from the pain and swelling. As the warmth of the oil soothes the pain, the oil itself helps to reduce the inflammation with it anti-inflammatory compounds (6).
4. Apple Cider Vinegar
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar 2 cups warm water A soft towel
Repeat this once every day. This solution, rich in vitamins and minerals, is effective in reducing the swelling. It also can enhance circulation to the region and speed up the healing process ( 7).
5. Magnesium Supplements
Magnesium supplements (as directed by your doctor)
Have the magnesium supplements in the dosage recommended by your doctor. As per your doctor’s advice. When the magnesium levels in the body fall, metabolic and inflammatory disorders start to crop up as this mineral plays a vital role in many of these processes (8). Magnesium exerts an anti-inflammatory effect on the affected region. Do not use this remedy for more than one week.
6. Turmeric For Bursitis
1 teaspoon turmeric A glass of warm milk or warm water
Have this turmeric infused milk 1-2 times every day. Turmeric is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which could potentially help reduce hip swelling and alleviate pain associated with hip bursitis. While these benefits have been observed in general, further research is needed to confirm its specific effects on hip bursitis (9).
7. Blackstrap Molasses
1 tablespoon blackstrap molasses A glass of water
Mix the molasses in water and drink this. Drink a glass of this every day. Blackstrap molasses are an excellent source of magnesium and potassium. They help relieve joint pain symptoms seen in rheumatoid arthritis and bursitis (10) (11).
8. Ginger
Few drops of ginger oil Apply this on the affected area and massage for a minute or so, until it gets absorbed into the skin. Apply this once or twice every day. Ginger is commonly used to reduce both pain and inflammation at different sites of the body. Topical application of ginger oil will have a direct impact on the hip swelling. Ginger should also be included in the daily diet to keep inflammations and even infections at bay (12).
9. Mullein Tea
2 teaspoons mullein herb 2 cups of hot water A soft cloth
Repeat this as and when required. The herb mullein helps to reduce the swelling and pain as it is anti-inflammatory in nature (13). The warmth of the tea will also relieve the stiffness in the hip joint that you may be experiencing.
10. Alfalfa For Bursitis
1 teaspoon dried alfalfa leaves A cup of hot water
Drink a cup of this herbal tea every day. Drinking alfalfa tea will bring down the levels of inflammatory compounds in the body and thus give you relief from hip bursitis (14). While these home remedies may help manage hip bursitis, seeking medical attention is important. Your doctor may recommend some treatments to help alleviate pain and heal the issue properly. Check out the section below to know what some of these treatments may be.
Treatment For Hip Bursitis
Hip bursitis often responds well to multiple treatment approaches. Initially, your healthcare provider may explore systematic measures, such as resting the affected hip, avoiding activities that exacerbate pain, and applying ice to provide relief. They may recommend physical therapy exercises to improve hip strength and flexibility. In some cases, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be prescribed to manage inflammation and pain. For more severe or persistent cases, corticosteroid injections, administered directly into the bursa under ultrasound guidance, may provide substantial relief ( 16). It is advised to consult a healthcare professional for a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific condition. Martha Peterson, a somatic educator and movement expert blogger, shares her take on the importance of trauma relief after undergoing a labral tear. In one of her blog posts, she writes, “Whether you get surgery for your tear or not, it is critically important to regain full muscle function of the muscles of the somatic center if you’re ever going to move efficiently again (i)”.
Summing It Up
We have also answered some commonly asked questions for you below. How long does hip bursitis take to heal? It can take 2-8 weeks for hip bursitis to heal if other interventions like physical therapy or medication like corticosteroids are not used to get relief from the symptoms. Is walking good for hip bursitis? Walking becomes very uncomfortable and even painful at times when you have hip bursitis. It is best to take rest and let your body heal instead of straining it with any physical activity. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any stretching or rehabilitation exercises. What are the best foods to eat for bursitis? • Fruits like citrus fruits, kiwi, pineapple, papaya, bananas, etc • Veggies such as dark green leafy vegetables, kale, bell peppers, beans, etc • Eggs, fish, and grass-fed meats • Walnuts and flaxseeds • Barley, oatmeal, and other low glycemic indexi A dietary carbohydrate rating system that shows how quickly each food elevates your blood sugar levels when eaten alone. grains Some foods that should be avoided if you are suffering from hip bursitis are – • Processed foods • Food with high sugar content • Refined starch food items • Legumes What are the risk factors for hip bursitis? Do not push your body—hip bursitis is a sign that you need to slow down! Factors that are associated with increased risk of hip bursitis are – • Hip injury • Rheumatoid arthritis • Repetitive stress to the hip joint causing injury • Calcium deposits on the hip bones • Previously undergone surgery at the hip site What exercises should you avoid if you have hip bursitis? It is necessary that the activities that cause hip bursitis should be avoided to give relief to the inflamed bursa. Simple things like sitting in an uncomfortable chair can also lead to pain in the hips. So, try and avoid all such activities that worsen your pain. Do not exert the bones and muscles with fast-paced aerobic exercises or weight training exercises that will put pressure on the hip joint. When to see a doctor for hip bursitis? It is advisable to see your doctor if you experience any of the conditions listed out below with the usual symptoms of hip bursitis – • Sharp or shooting pain • Excessive swelling and rashes • Persistent pain for 1-2 weeks • Unbearable pain in the hip • Fever What vitamin is good for bursitis? Vitamin C has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce bursitis-related inflammation (15). What happens if hip bursitis goes untreated? Untreated bursitis may lead to health complications like septic bursitis ( inflammation of the bursa due to infection), osteomyelitis (infection in the bones), and chronic sinus (16). How should I sleep with hip bursitis? Individuals with bursitis are recommended to sleep on their backs on a soft mattress. If one wishes to sleep on their side, they can place a pillow between their knees to keep the hips aligned. Find relief from hip bursitis pain with easy self-treatment techniques shared in this informative video. Discover how to alleviate discomfort and improve your mobility from the comfort of your home.
