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Medically reviewed by Dr. Tony Willcox, PhD, D.A.O.M., A.P.
Last reviewed: September 2026
Bursitis is the inflammation of a bursa — one of the small, fluid-filled sacs that cushion the space between bones, tendons, and muscles around a joint. These sacs act as shock absorbers, reducing friction as you move. When a bursa becomes irritated and inflamed, it swells and grows painful, leaving the nearby joint stiff and tender. Bursitis most commonly affects the shoulder, hip (where it is known as trochanteric bursitis), elbow, and knee. It is often brought on by repetitive motion, prolonged pressure, or injury, and it can be acute or settle into a recurring, chronic problem.
Bursitis tends to announce itself around a specific joint. Common symptoms include:
Causes usually involve repetitive movement or sustained pressure — leaning on the elbows, kneeling, running, or overhead work — along with injury, poor posture, and sometimes underlying conditions such as arthritis or gout. In some cases, a bursa can become infected, known as septic bursitis, which is more serious. Any bursitis with significant redness, heat, or fever should be evaluated by a physician right away, as it may indicate infection, which requires medical treatment.
In Chinese medicine, bursitis falls within the broad category of Bi syndrome, or obstruction syndrome, in which the flow of Qi and Blood through a region becomes blocked — producing pain, swelling, and heat. Bursitis is often understood as a local accumulation of damp and heat where obstruction has settled. Treatment aims to clear the heat, move the stagnation, and restore free circulation through the affected joint. Dr. Willcox assesses whether the presentation is more acute and inflamed or chronic and stubborn, and tailors the approach accordingly.
Acupuncture for bursitis is thought to work by prompting the release of the body’s natural anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving compounds, improving circulation to the affected area to help clear inflammation, and easing the muscle tension that often surrounds an irritated joint. For deeper or more stubborn bursitis, electro-acupuncture may be added to enhance the effect.
Direct clinical trials on acupuncture for bursitis specifically are limited, so it is best to be straightforward about that. What is stronger is the broader evidence for acupuncture in musculoskeletal pain: a 2024 review of clinical practice guidelines found that most guideline recommendations supported acupuncture as a treatment option for chronic musculoskeletal pain — with shoulder pain, a very common site of bursitis, among the most-addressed conditions. In practice, acupuncture is widely used for the pain and inflammation of bursitis as part of a conservative, non-drug approach.
At Acupuncture Zen, bursitis is often addressed with acupuncture, sometimes combined with electro-acupuncture, cupping, or laser therapy to ease inflammation — always as a complement to, not a replacement for, appropriate medical care.
A first visit begins with a conversation about which joint is affected, how the pain started, what makes it better or worse, and any diagnoses already made. Dr. Willcox may gently assess the joint’s range of motion and tenderness. Treatment involves fine needles placed around the affected area, along with supporting points, often with warming or electrostimulation, followed by a period of rest. Many patients feel some easing over the first few sessions, with more lasting relief building across a short series. Dr. Willcox coordinates with a patient’s physician when helpful and will refer out promptly if an infection is suspected.
It depends on whether the bursitis is acute or chronic and how long it has been present. Acute flares may settle in a few sessions, while chronic or recurring bursitis often benefits from a longer series with attention to the underlying cause.
If a bursa is infected — marked by significant redness, heat, swelling, and sometimes fever — that is a medical emergency requiring antibiotics, not acupuncture. Always have such symptoms evaluated by a physician first.
Bursitis most often affects the shoulder, hip, elbow, and knee, and acupuncture can be used at any of these sites to help ease pain and inflammation. Hip bursitis (trochanteric) and shoulder bursitis are among the most common — treatment is placed around the affected joint and tailored to what’s driving it.
Yes — the hip and shoulder are two of the most frequent sites, and both respond well to a conservative, drug-free approach. Dr. Willcox often combines acupuncture with cupping or laser therapy to support circulation and ease inflammation around the joint.
Most patients find treatment gentle and well tolerated. Fine needles are placed around the tender joint and supporting points, often with warming or gentle stimulation, followed by a period of rest — many describe the session as relaxing rather than painful.
Bursitis can make everyday movement genuinely painful — and acupuncture offers one gentle, drug-free avenue toward relief. It is offered here as a complement to conventional care, never a substitute for medical evaluation, especially where infection is a possibility. Patients are encouraged to keep their physician informed as part of a coordinated approach.
Ready to move that joint again without the wince? Call Acupuncture Zen at 561-633-3537 to schedule a visit in Delray Beach.
Peace and Blessings,
Dr. Tony Willcox, PhD, D.A.O.M., A.P.
