Bursitis
Bursitis is inflammation of the small fluid-filled sacs that cushion your joints, causing pain and swelling. We settle the inflammation and address the mechanics causing it at our Marple clinic.

Understanding Your Condition
Bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that sit between tendons and bone, reducing friction where tissues move over each other. When a bursa becomes inflamed — usually from pressure, friction or overuse — it swells and becomes painful. Bursitis commonly affects the hip, shoulder, knee and elbow.
At Complete Recovery Physiotherapy in Marple, we settle the inflamed bursa with hands-on treatment and address the mechanics causing the irritation — the posture, movement or activity that's compressing or overloading it — so it settles and doesn't keep returning.

What You Feel
- Pain and swelling over a bony point near a joint
- Tenderness and warmth in the area
- Pain that worsens with pressure or movement
- Discomfort when lying on the affected area
- Swelling that may be visible or felt
- Pain with repeated movement of the nearby joint
- Stiffness in the surrounding joint
- Discomfort that eases with rest and returns with activity
Common Causes
- Repeated pressure or friction on the bursa
- Overuse from sport, work or daily activity
- Poor posture and movement mechanics
- Tight muscles increasing friction over the bursa
- Direct trauma or a fall onto the area
- Sudden increases in training or activity
- Weakness in the muscles around the joint
- Prolonged pressure such as kneeling or leaning on an elbow
Who Physiotherapy Can Help
Bursitis affects people across every walk of life — runners and walkers with hip bursitis, office workers with elbow or shoulder bursitis, gardeners and tradespeople with knee bursitis. We help with both recent flare-ups and recurring bursitis that keeps coming back.
If a bony point near one of your joints is painful, swollen and tender, you may have bursitis. We'll assess and confirm the cause, then build a plan to settle it.
Struggling with Bursitis?
Book your assessment today. We'll find the root cause and start hands-on treatment in your first session.
Your Assessment
Your assessment confirms bursitis and identifies the factors causing the inflammation. We palpate the area, assess the nearby joint's movement and strength, and review the activities and postures that compress or overload the bursa.
Bursitis often recurs because only the inflammation is treated, not the mechanics causing it. We'll explain your diagnosis and design a programme to settle the pain and fix the underlying cause.
How We Treat It
Our hands-on treatment approach:
- Assessment to confirm bursitis and identify the cause
- Hands-on treatment to ease pain, swelling and soft tissue tension
- Advice on modifying aggravating pressure and activity
- Strengthening and stretching to correct the mechanics
- Posture and movement correction
- A graded return to activity without recurrence
Expected Recovery
Most bursitis improves within 4–8 weeks of targeted treatment that addresses both the inflammation and the cause. Acute flare-ups settle faster, while recurrent bursitis takes a little longer and needs consistent mechanics correction.
The key is fixing the posture, movement or activity compressing the bursa — without that, the inflammation keeps returning. We give you a clear plan and the habits to keep the bursa settled long-term.
Everything You Need to Know Before Booking
No GP referral needed. Direct access appointments available — often same-day or within a few days.
What Happens at Your First Appointment
Your first session is a 45-minute comprehensive assessment. We start by listening — understanding your symptoms, your history, and what you want to get back to. We then carry out a thorough hands-on physical examination to identify the root cause of your problem. You'll receive a clear explanation of what's going on, a personalised treatment plan, and hands-on treatment begins in that very first session. You leave knowing exactly what's wrong, what we'll do about it, and how long recovery will take.
What Should I Wear?
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that allows easy access to the area we're treating. For knee, hip, or leg problems, shorts are ideal. For shoulder, neck, or back issues, a loose top or vest works well. You'll never be asked to undress beyond what's necessary for examination and treatment, and you'll always be treated with dignity and respect in our private treatment room.
How Many Sessions Will I Need?
This depends on your condition, how long you've had it, and your goals. Many patients feel significant improvement within 3–6 sessions. Acute injuries often resolve faster, while long-standing or complex conditions may need more. We'll give you a clear treatment timeline at your first appointment — and we only ever recommend sessions you genuinely need. Our goal is to get you independent and pain-free as quickly as possible, not to keep you coming back.
Can I Claim Through Insurance?
Yes. We are recognised by most major health insurance providers including AXA, Vitality, Bupa, WPA, and Healix. We can bill your insurer directly so you don't need to pay upfront — simply bring your insurance authorisation number to your appointment. If you're not sure whether you're covered, call us and we'll help you check before you book.
Treated by a Qualified, Experienced Professional

Rob Wood
Head Physio & Clinic Owner
Meet Rob, founder of Complete Recovery Physiotherapy in Marple.
Bursitis Frequently Asked Questions
Why Choose Complete Recovery Physiotherapy?
Treat the Cause, Not Just the Inflammation
Bursitis recurs when only the inflammation is treated. We find and fix the mechanics compressing the bursa so it stops coming back.
Avoid Injections Where Possible
Most bursitis settles with physiotherapy. We help you avoid injections where appropriate, advising honestly if one is needed for a stubborn case.
Hands-On Plus Mechanics Work
Manual therapy to ease inflammation combined with strengthening and posture correction — the combination that produces lasting results.
Area-Specific Care
Bursitis affects many joints differently. We tailor your treatment to the specific area and the activities compressing it.
Same Physio Every Time
Continuity of care with a physio who knows your condition, your history and your goals throughout your recovery.
Free Parking in Marple
Easy visits at Bowden Hall with free parking right outside — important when moving is uncomfortable.
Related Conditions We Treat

Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome
Greater trochanteric pain syndrome causes aching on the outside of the hip, often from the gluteal tendons. We rebuild the tendon with a progressive loading programme and ease your pain, restoring comfortable sleeping and walking at our Marple clinic.
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Shoulder Impingement
Shoulder impingement is the painful pinching of tendons and the bursa when you lift your arm. We ease the irritation and correct the mechanics causing it, restoring smooth, pain-free overhead movement at our Marple clinic.
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Tendinopathy
Tendinopathy is a painful tendon condition caused by overuse, affecting tendons throughout the body. We rebuild the tendon with a progressive loading programme at our Marple clinic.
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Hip Pain
Hip pain can come from the joint, the tendons, the muscles or the back — and the right treatment depends on the exact source. We assess precisely and rebuild strong, pain-free hip movement at our Marple clinic.
Learn MoreRelated Services

Physiotherapy
At Complete Recovery Physio, everything we do is built around high-quality physiotherapy. Whether you're recovering from an injury, dealing with ongoing pain, or looking to move more freely, we're here to support you.
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Manual Therapy
Manual therapy is the hands-on heart of physiotherapy — skilled joint mobilisation, soft tissue release and manipulation that reduces pain, restores movement and helps your body move freely again, delivered by experienced physiotherapists in Marple.
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Exercise Rehabilitation
Exercise rehabilitation is the structured, progressive programme that rebuilds your strength, movement and confidence after injury or surgery — turning short-term relief into lasting recovery, guided by physiotherapists at our Marple clinic.
Learn MoreDon't Let Pain Hold You Back
Expert, hands-on physiotherapy in Marple. Free parking. Same-day and short-notice appointments often available.
Ready to Start Your Recovery?
Book your assessment today and take the first step towards a pain-free, active life. Free parking at our Marple clinic.

