Bursitis Treatment in Melbourne
Drug-free bursitis care in Melbourne, FL. Dr. Rachael Callaway treats hip, shoulder, and knee bursitis with chiropractic care, soft-tissue work, and Shockwave.
Chiropractic care for bursitis
Get to the root of your bursitis
Also known as: Hip Bursitis, Shoulder Bursitis, Trochanteric Bursitis
If a deep, aching pain in your hip, shoulder, or knee flares up with movement and doesn't respond to rest, bursitis may be the culprit. Bursae are small fluid-filled sacs that cushion joints, and when they become inflamed — usually from overuse or faulty movement mechanics — the pain can be sharp and persistent. Dr. Rachael Callaway helps patients in Melbourne and across Brevard County by easing the load on the irritated bursa and addressing the mechanics driving the inflammation — with Shockwave Therapy as an option for hip bursitis.
Symptoms of bursitis
- ✓Deep, aching pain directly over the hip, shoulder, or knee
- ✓Pain that worsens with movement, pressure, or lying on the affected side
- ✓Swelling or warmth over the affected joint
- ✓Stiffness first thing in the morning or after sitting for a long time
- ✓Pain that radiates into the outer thigh or upper arm
- ✓Limited range of motion in the joint
- ✓Pain that flares with climbing stairs, reaching overhead, or walking on hard surfaces
Common causes
- Repetitive motions from sport, work, or daily activity
- Faulty joint mechanics that increase friction across the bursa
- Tight or weak muscles that shift load onto the bursa
- Hip or shoulder joint restriction from poor posture or an old injury
- Direct trauma or prolonged pressure on the joint (kneeling, leaning)
- Leg-length discrepancy or gait abnormalities driving hip bursitis
- Underlying joint inflammation or arthritis
Our approach
How we treat bursitis in Melbourne
- Step 1
Thorough exam
We assess your movement, joint mobility, and muscle balance to find the mechanical fault stressing the bursa — and refer for imaging only when it will change your care plan.
- Step 2
A clear, personalized plan
You get a plain-English explanation of what we found and a written report of findings with recommendations focused on offloading the irritated bursa and addressing the pattern driving it.
- Step 3
Gentle, hands-on care
We combine chiropractic adjustments, soft-tissue techniques, and massage therapy — plus Shockwave Therapy for hip bursitis — to calm irritation and restore healthier joint mechanics.
The basics
Understanding bursitis
Bursae are tiny, fluid-filled cushions positioned at key friction points around your joints — between tendons, bones, and muscles. When repeated stress or poor movement mechanics overloads a bursa, the sac swells and becomes inflamed, producing the deep, achy pain that's the hallmark of bursitis. The most commonly affected sites are the outer hip (trochanteric bursitis), the shoulder, the knee (prepatellar or pes anserine bursitis), and the elbow. In many cases, the inflammation isn't the root problem — it's the signal that a joint isn't moving correctly, forcing surrounding structures to compensate.
That's why simply resting or getting a cortisone injection often provides only temporary relief. The bursa settles down, but the movement fault that stressed it remains — and the pain returns. Conservative chiropractic care takes a different approach: reduce the load on the inflamed bursa, then look for and address the mechanical cause so the bursitis is less likely to come back. For hip bursitis specifically, Shockwave Therapy is one of the soft-tissue techniques our chiropractors use.
Certificate to Health
New Patient Special
Find out what's causing your pain and how we can help. An initial chiropractic evaluation for $60, which covers your consultation, exam and report of findings.
Certificate good only for first time patients who are residents of Brevard County, and does not apply to workers comp or accident cases. FEDERAL LAW PROHIBITS USE BY MEDICARE. ADDITIONAL SERVICES ARE AT ESTABLISHED PRICES. THE PATIENT AND ANY OTHER PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT HAS A RIGHT TO REFUSE TO PAY, CANCEL PAYMENT, OR BE REIMBURSED FOR PAYMENT FOR ANY OTHER SERVICE, EXAMINATION, OR TREATMENT THAT IS PERFORMED AS A RESULT OF AND WITHIN 72 HOURS OF RESPONDING TO THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE FREE, DISCOUNTED FEE, OR REDUCED FEE SERVICE, EXAMINATION OR TREATMENT.
Types of bursitis we treat
Bursitis can develop in any joint that’s repeatedly loaded or stressed, but a few sites are especially common. We regularly help patients in Melbourne and the surrounding Space Coast with:
- Hip bursitis (trochanteric bursitis) — pain over the outer hip or buttock, often worse when lying on that side or walking on hard surfaces. Usually driven by hip-muscle imbalances or a leg-length difference, and one of the conditions our chiropractors treat with Shockwave Therapy. Related to our hip pain page.
- Shoulder bursitis — a deep ache under or around the shoulder that flares with overhead reaching. Often linked to rotator-cuff weakness or poor shoulder mechanics. See our shoulder pain page and rotator cuff page.
- Knee bursitis — pain over the front of the knee (prepatellar) or the inner knee (pes anserine), often from kneeling, stair-climbing, or faulty gait. Connected to the broader picture on our knee pain page.
- Elbow bursitis (olecranon bursitis) — swelling and aching over the back of the elbow, typically from repetitive pressure or impact.
- Bursitis alongside arthritis — inflamed bursae often develop secondary to underlying joint degeneration. See our arthritis page.
Your exam tells us which structure is involved and what’s driving it — so your plan targets the cause, not just the symptom.
When to see a chiropractor in Melbourne
Many people assume bursitis just needs rest, but the mechanics driving the inflammation often persist without active care. Consider requesting an exam if you notice:
- Joint pain that worsens with specific movements, overhead reaching, or climbing stairs
- Deep aching over the outer hip, shoulder tip, or knee that flares with lying on that side
- Swelling, warmth, or tenderness directly over a joint
- Pain that has lingered more than a week or two despite rest
- Bursitis that keeps returning after short-term relief from medication or injections
- Reduced range of motion or strength in the affected joint
Seek prompt medical care if a swollen joint is hot, red, and accompanied by fever — this can signal an infected bursa.
What to expect at your first visit
Your first visit is focused on understanding your joint mechanics before any treatment. Here’s how it goes:
- Listen to your story — when the pain started, which activities provoke it, and how it’s affecting your work, sleep, or activity.
- Examine thoroughly — orthopedic testing, joint mobility assessment, and movement analysis to look for the mechanical cause of the bursitis. We refer for imaging only when it will change your care.
- Explain what we found — in plain English, with a written report of findings and realistic recommendations.
- Start care when you’re ready — once you understand the plan, we schedule your treatment visits and share activity tips to reduce the load on the irritated bursa.
You’re never locked into open-ended treatment — just a clear plan you understand.
Drug-free bursitis relief — without medication or surgery
Anti-inflammatories and cortisone injections can quiet bursitis pain for a few weeks, but they don’t change the joint mechanics or muscle imbalances that caused the inflammation in the first place — so the bursa can become irritated again. Surgery to remove the bursa is rarely necessary and still doesn’t fix the underlying movement fault. Chiropractic care offers a different path: ease the load on the inflamed bursa, then work on the mechanics behind it — without drugs. For hip bursitis, Shockwave Therapy is an added option. And if your exam ever suggests you need imaging or specialist referral, we’ll tell you honestly and help coordinate that care. Individual results may vary.
Bursitis care at CARE Natural Wellness Center
At CARE Natural Wellness Center, serving Melbourne and the rest of Brevard County, we look past the inflamed bursa to find why it became inflamed — and we give you a clear plan. Dr. Rachael Callaway combines gentle chiropractic adjustments, hands-on soft-tissue techniques including Shockwave Therapy for hip bursitis, and massage therapy into one coordinated plan. Whether your bursitis is in the hip, shoulder, or knee — or has been recurring despite previous treatment — we build a plan specific to your mechanics and goals.
Ready to get started? Our New Patient Special makes your first visit easy, and you can request an appointment online — our office will contact you to confirm a time.
Why choose chiropractic
Chiropractic care vs. the typical bursitis routine
| Comparison factor | Chiropractic Care | Pain Meds & Surgery |
|---|---|---|
| Addresses the root cause | ✓Works on joint mechanics | ✕Masks the symptoms |
| Drug-free & non-invasive | ✓Always | ✕Rarely |
| Risk of side effects | ✓Minimal | ✕Higher (meds, injections, surgery) |
| Personalized to you | ✓Custom care plan | ✕One-size-fits-all |
| Options for hip bursitis | ✓Shockwave Therapy available | ✕Injections or surgery |
| Typical recovery | ✓Active & gradual | ✕Often recurring |
Treatment options
Services we use to relieve bursitis
Chiropractic Care
Gentle, precise chiropractic adjustments in Melbourne, FL that restore motion to restricted joints and help ease back pain, neck pain, and headaches at the source.
Learn more →Massage Therapy
Therapeutic massage in Melbourne, FL relaxes tight muscles, supports circulation, and complements chiropractic care for neck pain, whiplash, and tension headaches.
Learn more →Shockwave Therapy
Acoustic Shockwave Therapy in Melbourne, FL helps restart the body’s healing response for stubborn tendon problems like plantar fasciitis and tennis elbow.
Learn more →Related conditions
Other conditions we treat in Melbourne
Patient reviews
What our Melbourne patients say
“Dr Walsh is amazing! The staff is amazing as well.”
“Dr. Brian Walsh and his caring office staff have been serving me for almost 30 years now. His chiropractic skills and Nutritional Response Testing have helped me tremendously to navigate the health obstacles that have presented themselves in my journey. From severe issues with thyroid disease to menopause symptoms to navigating the pain related to arthritis and joint issues, Dr. Walsh has been a reliable resource and a readily available care provider who has helped me maintain and improve my quality of life through access to helpful natural supplements and practical strategies for quality and healthy pain management and treatment options. His helpful and compassionate staff always go the distance to ensure that you get the care you need and they do so with cheerfulness and respect. I honestly don’t know what my quality of life would be like without access to this wonderful group of professionals.”
“Dr Walsh and staff are phenomenal”
What causes bursitis?+
Bursitis is usually caused by repetitive overuse of a joint or faulty movement mechanics that force the bursa to absorb excess friction and load. Common culprits include repetitive reaching overhead (shoulder), prolonged kneeling or stair-climbing (knee), and hip-muscle imbalances or leg-length differences (hip). Trauma, prolonged pressure, and underlying joint inflammation like arthritis can also trigger it.
Can a chiropractor help bursitis?+
Often, yes. Chiropractic care looks at the joint mechanics and muscle imbalances driving the inflammation — not just the inflamed bursa itself. Adjustments aim to restore proper joint motion, and soft-tissue techniques address tight muscles that overload the bursa. Individual results may vary.
Do you use Shockwave Therapy for bursitis?+
For hip bursitis, yes — it is one of the conditions Dr. Callaway uses Shockwave Therapy for. For bursitis in other joints, we rely on adjustments and other soft-tissue techniques. Your exam determines what fits your case.
How many visits will I need for bursitis relief?+
It depends on how long you've had the pain, which joint is affected, and the underlying cause. After your evaluation, Dr. Callaway gives you a written report of findings with specific recommendations — not open-ended treatment.
Is bursitis the same as tendinitis?+
They're different but often appear together. Bursitis is inflammation of the bursa sac; tendinitis is inflammation of a tendon. Both are typically overuse problems driven by poor mechanics, and both are often a good fit for conservative care that addresses the movement fault behind them.
Should I rest completely when I have bursitis?+
Complete rest is rarely the best answer. Prolonged rest allows muscles to weaken further and can slow recovery. The goal is to reduce the load on the irritated bursa while staying as active as your pain allows.
How do I get started?+
New patients begin with our Certificate to Health initial chiropractic evaluation — a consultation, chiropractic examination, and written report of findings with recommendations. Our New Patients page has the details, or call our office at (321) 728-1387.
Do I need a referral or imaging before my first visit?+
No. Florida patients can see a chiropractor directly, with no physician referral required. Many cases of bursitis don't require imaging before care begins — we screen for red flags on your first exam and refer for imaging only when it will change your plan.
How is hip bursitis different from hip arthritis?+
Hip bursitis pain is typically felt over the outer hip or buttock and worsens with lying on that side or climbing stairs. Hip arthritis pain is usually felt deeper in the groin and worsens with weight-bearing and rotation. Both can coexist, and your exam will help clarify which is dominant.
Can bursitis come back after treatment?+
It can if the underlying mechanics aren't addressed. That's why our care looks beyond pain relief to the joint motion and muscle balance that protect the bursa.