The hip joint is a marvel of flexibility, power and stability and can handle the impact of our daily activities. The joint is the largest and strongest joint in the body.

The hip joint can take a beating, but when a repetitive activity occurs – the hip joint can become painful.

Bursitis is an inflammation of the bursa – a fluid-filled sac which serve as a cushion between bones and muscles, tendons, and skin.  The sac allows for freedom of movement in an area where friction can occur.

The hip has three bursae but the largest one is usually involved:

  • Greater Trochanter Bursa: located on lateral side of hip, over the greater trochanter (the boney part on the lateral side of the hip). It lays under the TFL and gluteus maximus as they converge to form the iliotibial band over the greater trochanter.  The bursa allows for all these muscles to move smoothly during hip movement.

In trochanteric bursa, the bursa becomes inflamed if the hip is overused or injured. The most common cause of trochanteric bursitis is friction created from soft tissue tightness of the muscles and tendons that cross over the bursae around the greater trochanter.

Causes of Trochanteric Bursitis:

  • Slow onset
  • Trauma to the hip.
  • Potential sacroiliac joint problem referring to the hip which is simultaneously involved with the bursitis.
  • Occurs mostly in middle-aged or older people.
  • Active adults who regularly walk, run, or cycle.

Symptoms of Trochanteric Bursitis:

  • Pain over the outside of the hip with potential radiating down the outside of the leg.
  • Pain that is dull, achy to sharp and stabbing.
  • Pain might radiate down the leg.
  • Pain worse going up stairs.
  • Unable to lie or sleep on the problem hip or waking up when rolling on the problem hip in the night.
  • More common in women between the ages of 45-65.

I approach treating your Bursitis to your presentation, which involves:

  • Analyzing your posture – how are the hips aligned?
  • Discussing potential lifestyle dynamics impacting the joint.
  • Understanding how other factors such as arthritis can aggravate the problem.
  • Muscle testing the muscles comprising the hip for weakness and pain.
  • Targeting effected muscles, releasing motor points, trigger points and relaxing the fascia.
  • Providing exercises to continue treatment success between acupuncture treatments.

Call (914) 572-5137 today or click here to schedule an appointment & learn more about how we can help you.