The most common bursitis injuries are:
Prepatellar Bursitis (housemaid's knee),
Superficial Infrapatellar Bursitis (clergyman's knee),
Trochanteric Bursitis (hip),
Olecranon Bursitis (student's elbow) and
Subacromial Bursitis (shoulder bursitis).

Deep Bursae separate bare areas of bone from overlapping muscles.
Superficial Bursae separate bare areas of bone from skin or tendons.

Deep Bursae develop in the womb.

Superficial Bursae develop within months to several years after birth.

Household names for various bursitis injuries include: Popeye's Elbow, Miner's Elbow, Weaver's Elbow, Housemaid's Knee, Hod-Carrier's Shoulders, Dustman's Shoulders, Student's Elbow, and Clergyman's Knee

Bursa Pain Specialists are Friendly and Helpful.

Bursitis Injury Facts Part 3:

On occasion, bacteria can invade a bursa and cause an infection. An infected bursa is known as septic bursitis and can be life-threatening if left untreated. So make sure you see a physician!

Septic bursitis is most common in knee joints and elbow joints as the bursae in these locations are close to the skin and most susceptible to bacterial invasion.

It is not uncommon for bursitis to be misdiagnosed as arthritis.

Bursitis is best avoided by staying in shape, taking frequent breaks from repetitive or laborious tasks and cushioning joints if on them for long periods (ie. kneepads for gardening).

A Bursa can swell to a surprisingly large size. In cases of heavy swelling, your physician may choose to drain fluid from the swollen bursa. If a lump is present in chronic bursitis cases, excision may be required.

Clergyman's Knee comes from a more upright posture when kneeling in comparison to Housemaid's Knee. Patients suffering from gout or syphilis can be at higher risk of contracting Clergyman's Knee.

Copper infused, antibacterial compression wrap ankle, achilles compress wrap

Compression Support Socks, Leg and Calf Support

Wrist Carpal Tunnel Compression Support Brace

An Overview of Elbow Bursitis
(Olecranon Bursitis)

You may not realize it, but there are multiple bursae in each of your elbows - some of these bursae however, are not always present as bursa do not grow unless the body determines there is a need for it. A listing of bursae in the elbow joint are as follows:

Subcutaneous bursa of medial epicondyle
Subcutaneous bursa of lateral epicondyle
Bursa of anconeus
Bursa at origin of extensor carpi radializ brevis
Olecranon bursa - Subtendinous bursa of triceps brachii (sometimes present)
Olecranon bursa - Intratendinous
Olecranon bursa - Subcutaneous

Of all the bursae listed above, the medical community deems the olecranon bursae to be the most important as nearly all cases of elbow bursitis occur in the olecranon bursae. The olecranon bursae are most likely to suffer impact damage (a major cause of bursitis) due to their location on the bony prominence at the back of the elbow joint.

What is Elbow Bursitis?

The olecranon bursa (just below the skin) is exposed to trauma or injury during falls on the elbow and to infection from scrapes or cuts on the skin covering the joint.

Repeated excessive pressure and/or friction, such as leaning on a table top at work, may cause this bursa to become inflamed producing excessive swelling and elbow pain in this area.

Subtendinous olecranon bursitis is much less common. This type of elbow bursitis results from excessive friction between the triceps tendon and olecranon. This may result, for example, from repeated flexion-extension of the forearm which occurs during certain assembly line jobs, and is one of many repetitive motion type injuries. The pain is most severe during the flexion of the forearm because of pressure exerted on the inflamed subtendinous olecranon bursa by the triceps tendon.

What Causes Elbow (Olecranon) Bursitis?

There are a number of things that can indirectly cause bursitis such as repetitive use or overuse from work or sporting activities, a cut or injury to the elbow, acute injuries, and aging. Over the years your muscles will start to lose their mass and strength, your tissues will lose their elasticity and degenerate, making you more susceptible to injury. Weakened muscles and/or tendons or injuries to your elbow, wrist, forearm or shoulder can instigate bursitis. You are at increased risk of suffering from this condition if your work and/or lifestyle require repetitive use of your elbow.

Frequent leaning on your elbow can cause bursa pain.

Trauma to the elbow and especially in the olecranon bursa area causes inflammation of the elbow bursa, resulting in a widening of the blood vessels. This widening allows proteins and various fluids into the bursae that are not supposed to be there, resulting in swelling. Until these foreign materials leave the bursa or are broken down by the bursa's defense system, the swelling and pain will remain.

Acute trauma to the elbow means a direct blow to the elbow. In such cases, blood may leak into the bursa of the elbow and cause swelling and pain.

Chronic trauma will occur if there is mild trauma to the elbow that occurs repetitively. For instance, a hard elbow rest while driving frequently or straining the elbow frequently while throwing darts.

A Warning About Infection (Septic Bursitis)

The Olecranon bursae are one of the most commonly bursae to get infected as they are close to the skin surface.

The closer the bursa is to the surface of the skin, the more likely the chance of infection from specific bacteria (staphylococcus epidermis or staphylococcus aureus) that are commonly found on the surface of the skin. This bacterial infection is known as septic bursitis. Septic bursitis occurs most commonly in men (85% of all cases occur in men) and you are at a higher risk of contracting this if you:

have diabetes
have recently experienced trauma
are undergoing steroid treatments
have a certain kidney condition

If the bursitis in your olecranon bursa is septic, it can quickly become life-threatening and you will require antibiotics from your doctor to treat the infection. Warmth and redness in the area are signs of an infection as well as a fever. If you suspect your bursitis is septic, be sure to see a doctor immediately.

What are the Symptoms of Elbow Bursitis?

The symptoms of olecranon bursitis are similar to the symptoms of bursitis that occur in other joints of the body; pain, limited range of motion, weakness, difficulties sleeping, swelling and tenderness, and possibly a fever if the bursa is infected.

If you are suffering from olecranon bursitis you will usually be experiencing the following conditions:

Swelling: A lump at the back of the elbow is usually the first sign of elbow bursitis. Once swelling is noticed it is advisable that you begin cold treatments to reduce swelling and inflammation and see your doctor to rule out infectious bursitis.

Elbow Bursitis pain can be caused by infection, or septic bursitis

Redness, Warmth, and Tenderness: If there is a cut or scrape on the elbow near the bursa, bacteria may enter the bursa and cause it to become infected. Signs of septic bursitis include redness, warmth, tenderness, and usually a fever. If you have these symptoms be sure to see a doctor promptly so he/she can prescribe antibiotics.

Although you may experience bursitis without pain, elbow bursitis can cause sharp pain at the tip of the elbow because the bursa pushes on nerve endings around the joint. Pain increases when bending and straightening the elbow or pushing directly on the bursa. Basically, you will experience a Range of Motion Loss due to pain - bending and straightening the elbow causes more pain.

As the bursa swells a visible bump becomes obvious at the tip of the elbow. Inside the elbow, the enlarged bursa decreases the space for the bone joints to move freely during flexion and extension. This limits the range of motion in the elbow and can prevent you from doing daily tasks easily.

Elbow bursitis causes pain at the back of the elbow joint that increases when pressure is placed on the elbow (i.e. leaning on a table). Elbow bursitis is also referred to as olecranon bursitis, dialysis elbow, student's elbow, water on the elbow, swellbow, dart thrower's elbow, lunger's elbow, or miner's elbow.

If any of the above points stated above are true for you, then you might have an injury called "elbow bursitis" - medically, known as olecranon bursitis.

Many people don't know that elbow bursitis is a very real and painful injury affecting the bursa sac in your elbow. It can happen to anyone who regularly puts stress with repetitive arm movements as part of your job, sports related activities, acute trauma to the elbow and/or aging weakness the tissue around the elbow and the bursa.

Elbow bursitis is one of those injuries that can really bring down the quality of your life. Anyone - young or old - can suffer from this injury, and if you're active this condition will keep you from doing the things you love to do. It will even start interrupting any of your normal daily tasks and make living life harder than it really needs to be.

How Do I Diagnose Elbow Bursitis?

The best way to diagnose this condition is with a quick visit to the your doctor for a physical examination of your elbow. They will inquire about the intensity of your present pain, the duration of your symptoms and the limitations you are experiencing. Details about what instigated the problem, when it started, and whether or not you have ever had treatments for this or a similar condition in the past, are very helpful in assessing your injury.

Are you having trouble using or moving your arm and elbow?

You will generally be asked to complete a series of movements to measure your active (performed by you) and passive (performed by your examiner) range of motion. These movements will test for range of motion, arm/elbow strength, joint stability, and location of tenderness. If you feel sharp pain with both of these motions you may have elbow bursitis and/or other related conditions.

A physical examination will be performed to determine if you have signs of elbow bursitis or a different elbow injury. He/she may visually assess and palpate (feel) the bones and soft tissue in both your elbows to evaluate symmetry to recognize differences. This will identify abnormalities, such as mild or severe inflammation, bone deformities, atrophied muscles, redness and/or warmth on the skin.

Sometimes, one set of symptoms can result in multiple diagnoses. An x-ray or MRI is often needed in order to diagnose if the elbow is out of alignment or the extent of the soft tissue damage. Your doctor will be able to determine if infection is the possible cause of your bursitis and furthermore find out if the bursitis is septic - a potentially very serious condition.

As the bursae in the elbow are close to the surface of the skin, they are more susceptible to septic bursitis (caused by a cut or scrape) than most other bursae. Your doctor may aspirate (use a needle) to remove fluid from the bursa to check for possible staphylococcus epidermis (or staphylococcus aureus) bacterial infection. Your doctor will be able to determine whether there is an infection or not by drawing a small sample of the bursa fluid with a needle. If it is determined that your bursitis is septic, you will be prescribed antibiotics to get rid of the infection.

Are You Sure It Is Elbow Bursitis?

Pain, swelling and inflammation in your elbow could mean that you have bursitis. It's also important to consider that there are other conditions that might cause pain and swelling in the elbow as well. Visiting your doctor when you have elbow pain is always recommended, as there are many possible issues that can happen within the arm and elbow. Sometimes, one set of symptoms can result in multiple diagnoses.

Some other similar injuries of the elbow include: infection, crystal deposits in the elbow, and elbow or forearm tendinitis.

Infection (Septic Bursitis). The closer the bursa is to the surface of the skin, the more likely the chance of infection from specific bacteria that are commonly found on the surface of the skin. This bacterial infection is known as septic bursitis and it is caused by the Staphylococcus Epidermis (or Staphylococcus Aureus) bacteria. Septic Bursitis occurs most commonly in men (85% of all cases occur in men) and you are at higher risk of contracting this if you
1. have Diabetes
2. have recently experienced trauma
3. are undergoing steroid treatments
4. have a certain kidney condition
Crystal Deposits. Some people with diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout or scleroderma may contract bursitis from crystalline deposits in the joints. Although not much is known about how this process happens, it is common knowledge that Uric acid is a normal byproduct of daily metabolism. If your are diagnosed with gout then you are unable to break down this uric acid properly, leading to crystallization of this excess acid which deposits in joints, a painful symptom that can often lead to bursitis.
Elbow / Forearm Tendonitis. There are 2 common tendonitis injuries that usually result in elbow and forearm pain: Tennis Elbow (lateral epicondylitis) and Golfer's Elbow (medial epicondylitis). In both cases pain, swelling and inflammation will be felt around the bony part of the elbow. With tennis elbow, pain will be felt on the outside of the elbow, while pain is felt on the inside of the elbow with golfer's elbow. The tendons attached to the bone at your elbow are connected to muscles in your forearm, which is why these injuries will sometimes cause pain in your forearm. These injuries are usually caused by racket sports, golf and overuse from gardening and repetitive movements of your hand or wrist (ie. using a screwdriver).

Bursitis Can Lead to Other Conditions and Injuries.

Every time we use our joint that has bursitis, damaged and swollen tendons and muscle tissue move - rubbing against the inflamed bursa. This is why every movement hurts. With injured tissue, pain happens - sometimes a LOT of pain, so we try not to move it. So, when doing something we purposefully avoid using the joint that has bursitis pain. If we can, we use our other joints instead even though it is inconvenient and difficult.

A couple days later the bursitis pain drops, and we start moving normally again - at this point the injury swells up again like it did before - all because the injury wasn't fully healed in the first place. We continually re-ignite the bursitis through our daily activities and now this injury has become chronic (long term bursitis).

Eventually, we use the other joints more and more. This is why the other joints start to hurt more - they are being overused now. Soon, aches and pain can become commonplace - all as a result of the original bursitis and the body's instinctive nature to "protect" the area - all because the injury wasn't fully healed in the first place!

overcompensation-injury-prevention-and-rehabilitation

Muscle imbalances result, placing tension on bone and softer tissues - leading to a misalignment in the body. The extra stress on the opposite side of the body will also result in weakness and fatigue of soft tissue - increasing the chances they can eventually be injured or gradually degenerate (ie. muscle strain and/or tendinitis). This is a textbook example of how you get an overcompensation injury. In some cases, physical therapists warn that overcompensation can be very dangerous as it will affect gait or alignment on a permanent basis.

An injury to one area can easily lead to straining in other areas - just due to the pain response in your biomechanics - making an overall recovery hard to initiate. For example, a serious muscle strain in the right hip can often lead to over-straining of the left hip. Most commonly, the injury occurs on the dominant side, so the risk of straining the other (weaker) side increases. The longer the injury (and corresponding pain) persists, the greater the chance that you will sustain more strain from overcompensation, eventually leading to issues in those areas as well. To minimize potential secondary injuries, know that it is important to deal with your injury quickly and completely.

Truly, living with bursitis can lead you into a vicious downward cycle - which is why it is absolutely critical to focus on methods that improve and strengthen the injured soft tissue in a timely manner. The faster you truly heal, the less chance you have of sinking into a downward spiral of re-injury, scar tissue growth and overcompensation injuries.

Elbow Bursitis Home Remedies
What You Need To Know

Preventing Elbow Bursitis inflammation and pain

The most important factor in healing elbow bursitis is to rest your elbow. This can be difficult when you have to carry on with daily activities, but resting whenever you can is recommended. During your recovery you will probably have to modify or avoid the activities that stress your bursa until your pain and inflammation settle.

The good news is that most cases of non-infected olecranon bursitis will heal with simple home conservative treatments and surgery is often not needed

It's generally understood by doctors and surgeons that surgery will introduce more scar tissue into the msucles, tendons and ligaments in your elbow. This added scar tissue will be problematic, requiring physio and conservative treatment options post-surgery. When it comes to elbow bursitis there's only a few surgical options for treatment - removal of the bursa sac, scraping of the bone(s) to allow more room for the new bursa to grow back. This is why surgery is only performed as a last resort for chronic bursitis that won't heal with conservative treatment methods.

Relieving the pain of your sore elbow and the symptoms of bursitis initially focuses on keeping the pressure off the bursa. If your olecranon bursitis was caused due to the nature of your work, you really need to stop that type of work until the bursitis is gone. For non-infectious bursitis, the preliminary treatment will almost always start with conservative treatment options.

Some conservative treatment methods recommended include:

Rest - This is important for initial recovery; rest and elevation will help reduce pain, swelling and inflammation in the early stages of injury. This can be difficult when you have to carry on with daily activities, but resting and elevating your elbow whenever you can is recommended. During your recovery you will probably have to modify or avoid the activities that put stress on your elbow until your pain and inflammation settles. However, too much rest can also be harmful, as elbow and ankle immobility can actually cause stiffening in the joints. This is why rest should be used when reducing initial pain and swelling, but should not be considered for more long-term conservative treatment.

Avoid Activities that Caused Your Elbow Injury - While resting your injury it's also important to avoid all activities that may have caused your elbow damage (especially any strenuous or repetitive movement). Continuing on with regular activities can increase the severity of your injury, turning a mild to moderate case of tissue damage into a downward spiral that can often severely impact your life. Also, trying to 'work around' your injury will eventually give rise to over-compensation injuries in other areas of your body.
Use a Cold Compress or Ice Pack - Cold is very effective at reducing pain and inflammation - use at the onset of the injury and during flareups.
Use a TShellz^® Circulatory Boost Wrap - Once swelling has been reduced, you can use your own blood flow to maximize your rehabilitation. Improved blood flow to your elbow will help improve recovery time while improving overall health of soft tissue in the area. Knowing the body uses blood flow to heal soft tissue, this wrap is intended to maximize your rehabilitation by maintaining a healthy blood flow to the elbow. In most cases, increased blood flow to damaged soft tissue augments the bodys' own repair process, helping decrease recovery time while reducing re-injury risk. Promoting blood flow and heat to the treatment area will help to minimize the growth of scar tissue, increase tissue flexibility and help reduce risk of atrophy. This is why we recommend a TShellz Wrap treatment before undergoing activity - an increase in flexibility should help reduce risk of further injury while also assisting in the battle against atrophy. Heat via the TShellz Wrap^® is especially helpful in dealing with chronic tendon & muscle injuries or on-going pain and stiffness from a strained elbow.
Rehabilitative Stretching under supervision of a PT or doctor. The intent of this is to provide you with increased range of motion, pain relief and strengthening of the surrounding tissue of the joint. Doctors or surgeons typically won't perform a surgery until they feel that their patient has put effort into treating their injury with conservative treatment methods. This may include up to 4 to 6 months of visits to a PT clinic. If you haven't experienced any improvement in your condition during that time then surgery may be considered. Agressive PT approaches may focus on forced or manual manipulation of the elbow - this means your physical therapists will be trying to move your elbow past the point of comfort as they strive to increase range of motion and prevent further atrophy. (reference: 1)
Stretching - Stretching your joint in PT and at home will help you to regain your range of motion much faster than not stretching at all. Stretching in many ways is key maintaining good Range of Motion (ROM) in your joint, and stretching can be made much easier with use of a TShellz Wrap^® before to warm up soft tissue, and a Cold Compress or Ice Pack treatment after to prevent any return of swelling and inflammation.

Allowing the area to rest is recommended when you have bursitis, however, some careful movement is required to prevent the joint from freezing and losing range of motion. See your doctor or PT for applicable stretches that will not worsen your bursitis. Avoid activities that may have caused the injury or irritation and begin cold treatments as soon as possible via use of a Cold Compress or Ice Pack. Using conservative treatments, you will experience 3 stages of healing as follows..

Conservative Treatment General Guidelines for Bursitis of the Elbow

Stage 1: If the elbow bursitis happened recently or if there is still significant inflammation and pain - use a good quality cold pack and Arnica Pain Relief Cream. If the injury has been going on for awhile and there is no swelling, skip to Stage 2 below.

Recommendation 1: If you are experiencing pain and swelling in the very early stages of the bursitis (first 48 to 72 hours), the first step in a conservative treatment protocol would be to focus on reducing the discomfort by applying a quality cold pack to the injured elbow along with a high quality pain relief cream such as our Arnica Infusion Cream.

Note: If you are suffering from a bursitis and/or tendinitis injury that has been going on for awhile, you may not need much cold treatment as inflammation may be minimal. Anytime you are experiencing significant pain, you will most likely find our Arnica Infusion Pain Relief Cream to be quite helpful.

Not only will you use your cold pack for the first 48 to 72 hours after the injury, but you should also use it during other stages of the healing process. Some examples include...

after any activity that stresses the elbow in a moderate way. It is wise to quickly apply cold to not only reduce the pain, but to also minimize tissue damage that may have occurred during the prior event.
If you have a job that requires you to place some demands on your elbow (ie. mechanic, assembly line work, driving). If that is the case, use cold immediately following work and if the opportunity allows - use it for 15 to 20 minutes during lunch or another break time.
If you are in a post-operative situation where cold compression would be utilized heavily for at least the first few weeks following the procedure. Similarly, if you are scheduled for upcoming elbow or shoulder surgery, then your doctor or surgeon might recommend undertaking cold before the surgery.

Having a Cold Compress or Ice Pack available at home to use if and when the need arises is helpful. Many of you already do so.

However, too many people over-focus on cold while ignoring the most critical aspect to healing - nourishing the injured tissues with a healthy supply of blood flow needed to repair and rebuild the injured tissues.

This leads to an important step...

Stage 2: Focus on Increasing Blood Flow To Injured Soft Tissue - As This is The ONLY Way It Will Heal For the Long-Term

Even though the concept is simple, improving blood flow to an inflamed bursa in the elbow is not easy - there is already very little blood flow in a bursa to begin with!. Traditional methods require your joint to move to promote blood flow (exercise), but that same motion that promotes blood flow can at times lead to making your pain and condition worse - exacerbating your bursitis.

Have you re-injured your elbow by returning to work too quickly?
How many times in the past have you aggravated your elbow just trying to perform basic tasks around the home?
Is your debilitated elbow preventing you from work or activities you love to do?

Most people we deal with tell us these scenarios have happened to them many times in the past. Perhaps it has already happened to you.

Promoting blood flow within a muscle or soft tissue injury (such as bursitis) to help the body heal itself is a concept that has been utilized for centuries. This is where the focus has to be if you are seeking long-term improvement.

Oxygen and nutrients, carried within the blood, are critical for the body to heal itself. Without proper blood flow, recovering from an injury or condition will be delayed...sometimes for a very long period of time.

The real challenge is how do you promote blood flow to the elbow injury site without causing further injury? This goal is further complicated by the fact the elbow (and muscles controlling the elbow joint) are involved in the majority of the physical movements we perform each day. Shoulders, elbows and wrists are interconnected and pain or mobility in these areas are often experienced in conjunction with one another.

An injury to one of these regions usually leads to straining in other areas, making an overall recovery hard to initiate. People tend to "chase the pain", meaning they only focus on treating an area that is actively painful, while not taking into account the fact that other areas of the body will be overcompensating...eventually leading to issues in those areas as well.

Now, on to recommendation number two in the journey to treat your bursits...

The Elbow TShellz Wrap^® - Localized Enhanced Circulation In The Elbow

The best option we came across in our research to accomplish blood flow to tissue in the elbow is the Elbow TShellz Wrap^®. Use of this device results in an increase in blood flow to tissue in the treatment area - all in a non-invasive manner.

Energy emitted from the TShellz Wraps^® increases blood flow in and around the application area - we call this "LEC Response" (Localized Enhanced Circulation Response). The objective of the TShellz Wrap^® is to increase blood flow in these targeted areas, resulting in relaxation of the vessel walls. The vessels then gently expand, allowing for more nutrient rich blood flow along with extra oxygen to reach the damaged tissues. Plus, the enhanced blood flow helps in flushing waste and fluid build-up from the injury site - further enhancing the ability of the body to heal.

With a TShellz Wrap^® application, more blood begins to flow effectively in and around the treatment area - for the length of the treatment and a short duration thereafter. Damaged soft tissue needs extra blood flow to heal as it is through the blood the body carries the oxygen, water and nutrients needed for proper and long-term healing.

Have you seen what happens when you add water to a flower wilted from drought? In essence, your elbow tissue is much like a "wilted" flower; your body wants to heal the injured tissue, but needs lots of nutrients to do it. Blood brings life to your tissue by delivering healing nutrients and oxygen that are vital for their growth and survival. In addition, the blood carries away toxins and waste cleaning the area and healing it faster. Without a good supply of blood, your soft tissue injury simply won't heal quickly, and as such increase your risk of reinjury and/or a chronic injury.

Using a TShellz Wrap^® will not expose you to the risk of causing further harm to soft tissue like you can when using rigorous exercise. The TShellz Wrap^® accomplishes the goal of enhanced blood flow without the need for intensive exercise and as such reduces your risk of re-injury.

The intention of a TShellz Wrap^® is to ease pain by dilating blood vessels, decrease stiffness by elongating soft tissue, improve blood circulation, and boost metabolism and enzyme activity. In stimulating localized blood flow to damaged soft tissue, you provide needed oxygen, water and nutrients to grow strong healthy collagen. In addition, you will experience a clearing of toxins and excess fluid build up from the injury site. Over the intermediate term, this helps to reduce incidents of swelling as trapped fluids will be whisked away - reducing pressure on blood vessels.

Who Should Use the Elbow TShellz Wrap^®

We recommend the use of an Elbow TShellz Wrap^®:

If you have bursitis, tendinitis or other soft tissue damage in your elbow, then the Elbow TShellz Wrap^® will provide the all-important function of boosting blood circulation where it is needed most.
If you are dealing with soft tissue conditions affecting your range of motion.
If you have a chronic elbow soft tissue condition that has lasted for years- this device is intended to kick start the recovery process and help strengthen the surrounding and supporting tissues.
If you have tight or shortened muscles that are a high risk of strain- this device is designed to heat tissue - a known and proven way to increase length, elasticity and flexibility of muscles, tendons and ligaments. The TShellz Wrap^® is basically a home treatment device to reduce your risk of incurring further soft tissue strain.
If you are still working with a strain in the elbow region or mild tear, the TShellz Wrap^® will help relax tissue in the area prior to work and after a day at the job.
If you are still trying to enjoy your favorite activities such as gardening, tennis, golf, etc - use the TShellz Wrap^® prior to activity to help reduce risk of re-injuring or re-aggravating those targeted tissues.
If you are suffering from bursitis and want to treat a major source of it (inflammation and damage to tissue surrounding the bursa sac). Through trauma, overuse or degenerative changes, muscle and tendons surrounding the bursa sacs will tighten and constrict. When they do, they place pressure on the bursa, causing it to become irritated. Applying a TShellz Wrap^® to the elbow will help relax tissue in the treatment area, taking pressure off the bursa.
If you are experiencing atrophy in the elbow and want to reduce the chance of re-injury while stretching - this is a perfect treatment to use before activity, by enhancing blood flow and elongating tissue in the application area.
If you have been to a clinic for some form of massage or stretching and your PT or physician has recommended conservative treatments for home.
If you are experiencing tightness in your muscle(s) and want to reduce the chance of re-injury while stretching - we recommend the use of a TShellz Wrap^® before you stretch.

Directly below you will find some summarized points from Chapter 9 of "Therapeutic Heat and Cold", 4th edition.
(amazon.com link) Ed. Justus F. Lehmann, M.D., Williams, and Wilkin.

Generally it is accepted that heat on soft tissue (muscles, tendons, ligaments) provides the following desirable effects:

Increases extensibility of collagen tissue. Tissues heated to 45 degrees Celsius and then stretched exhibit a nonelastic residual elongation of about 0.5 to 0.9 percent that persists after the stretch is removed. This does not occur in these same tissues when stretched at normal tissue temperatures.
Stretching of tissue in the presence of heat would be especially valuable in working with ligaments, joint capsules, tendons, fasciae ... that have become scarred, thickened, or contracted. Such stretching at 45 degrees Celsius caused much less weakening in stretched tissues for a given elongation than a similar elongation produced at normal tissue temperatures.
Experiments cited clearly showed low-force stretching could produce significant residual elongation when heat is applied together with stretching or range-of-motion exercises. This is safer than stretching tissues at normal tissue temperatures.
Muscle spasms have long been observed to be reduced through the use of heat, be they secondary to underlying skeletal, joint, or neuropathological conditions.
Pain relief, via the reduction of spasms (attendant or secondary). Pain is also at times related to lack of blood supply due to tension or spasm that can be improved by hyperemia (an increase in blood flow).
Heating muscles produces an increased blood flow level similar to that seen during exercise. Temperature elevation also produces an increased blood flow and dilation directly ... probably through direct action on their smooth muscles. The release of bradykinin, released as a consequence of sweat-gland activity, also produces increased blood flow and vasodilation.
Increased peripheral circulation provides the transport needed to help evacuate (fluid), which can help inflammation, decrease pain, and help speed healing.

Increased Blood Circulation = Increased Healing Capability

TShellz Wraps^® contain a unique Carbon Fiber Energy Pad which is flexible and will shape to conform to your body. This Energy Pad emits a uniform wave of perfectly safe energy over its entire surface. This energy is absorbed by soft tissue in the treatment area, opening blood vessels, resulting in an increase in blood flow. Increased blood circulation is what your body needs to accelerate the healing of soft tissue and this is why we recommend the TShellz Wrap^®.

The TShellz Wrap^® is an FDA Registered Medical Device and is suitable for use in therapeutic clinics and FROM HOME. It is completely safe for people and patients to use for themselves.

The technology found in a TShellz Wrap^® has been used for decades in the worlds of professional and amateur sports - a contributing factor as to why athletes seem to recover from injuries so quickly.

Have you ever wondered by an athlete can return to activity after 3 or 4 weeks following a soft tissue injury - while your average person takes much longer to return back to normal? The secret isn't really that much of a secret - it involves consistent treatments (meaning multiple times a day) using a treatment like the TShellz Wrap^® to stimulate blood flow to the injured tissues. Most athletes have the luxury of using in-house facilities many times per day.

How many us can afford the time and money to visit a clinic multiple times a day? Very few indeed. This is how you can gain some of the advantages that athletes enjoy in their injury recovery - by using a device like the TShellz Wrap^® two or three times a day on a consistent basis.

Consistent Treatments = Consistent And Long Term Improvement

What Else Makes the TShellz Wrap^® So Special?

We believe the TShellz Wrap^® to be one of the most effective home treatments to increase localized blood flow to soft tissue in and around the treatment area.

We can promise that you will receive a product that is designed to be safe and does what it is supposed to do... reduce pain (as stated in "Therapeutic Heat and Cold", 4th edition. - Ed. Justus F. Lehmann, M.D., Williams, and Wilkin) temporarily increase length & flexibility of soft tissue (as stated in "Therapeutic Heat and Cold", 4th edition. - Ed. Justus F. Lehmann, M.D., Williams, and Wilkin) and aid your body in recovering from tendon, muscle and other soft tissue injuries via enhanced blood flow.

The unit plugs into a standard wall outlet to get its power. The nice thing about the power supply is that the same unit can be used in North America and overseas as well. It has the capability to operate between 110v and 230v.

The TShellz Wrap^® has a special signal controller that can be set for 3 different power levels of application (3=High, 2=Medium, 1=Low). The cord is long enough that you can sit or lie comfortably and watch TV, read or surf the net while you're using it.

Treatments are max 30 minutes in duration and the device can be worn over clothing. This allows you to use the device at work, at home, or really anywhere you have access to an electrical outlet.

A Recap of the Benefits of the Elbow TShellz Wrap^®..

Can be used on the forearm, bicep, elbow (outside, inside, or the side) on either arm.
It can be used before activity or exercise to warm up tissue in the elbow to reduce the risk of further injury

FDA Registered medical device for use in home or clinics - very high quality
Temporarily increases flexibility and length of soft tissue (reducing the re-injury factor)
It soothes pain and whisks away toxins
Carbon fiber Energy Pad is strong, lightweight, and flexible - contours very easily
A boost in blood flow helps maximize the body's ability to recover from soft tissue damage. This can be beneficial in saving time and money when associated with doctor or physio visits
A boost in blood flow will maximize the body's ability to recover quickly. This can be beneficial in post-surgery rehabilitation, getting you back to work faster. Do not use until at least 6 weeks after surgery, and only after approval from your doctor.

When Should I Use My TShellz Wrap^® During the Day?

The most common question we receive from individuals prior to purchasing is - how many times a day should I be using my elbow wrap and when should I be using them? While treatment plans will differ for each individual and their specific injury, there are general guidelines that should be adhered to.

Use a Cold Compress or Ice Pack when you are experiencing inflammation (usually after exertion or movement of the injury area).

The Elbow TShellz Wrap^® would then be used:

Right after rising from bed in the morning (as this is when it is most stiff)
Prior to going to bed at night (to relax the arm, allowing for better sleep)
Before you know you will be using your injured joint (going to work, driving, typing, etc).

Stage 3 - In Between Treatments With TShellz Wrap^®, Apply Our New Fast Acting Pain Relief Cream Called ARNICA INFUSION

Dealing with aches and pains affecting the foot, ankle, leg, knee, hamstring, hip, back, arm, shoulder, elbow, wrist, or hand? If so, then applying the Arnica Infusion to any of these targeted areas will bring about fast relief from the pain and sore tissues. Simply apply a small amount of cream to the body and moments later, you will experience a soothing and comforting sensation over the area.

Arnica Infusion is specially designed to relieve pain due to sore muscles and joints associated with arthritis, backaches, sprains, strains, and bruises. No matter if you are dealing with an acute injury, chronic pain, or a general "flare-up" - you will experience fast relief from pain and inflammation.

This is a product that many of our current MendMeShop customers asked us to develop. So we focused our time and resources over the past few years and came up, with we believe, will be one of more effective, fast acting, topical pain relief creams on the market.

You are likely familiar with some of the standard topical agents on the market as most of our customers use them. The are mass marketed and even found in most department stores now.

Well, we are here to say that Arnica Infusion goes many steps beyond what they offer.

Made in the USA at an FDA registered manufacturing facility, you can be assured that Arnica Infusion is both safe and effective. We only source top grade ingredients while implementing strict quality control checks during every step of the production process. Expect the same high quality that MendMeShop customers have been accustomed to since we started the company in 2005.

The "Cool Blue" formula is the perfect balance between the smooth application of a cream and the effective absorbing factor of a gel. It is not too thick and not too thin - just the right texture. Best of all, it feels very nice on the skin!

Each application of Arnica Infusion feels so comforting and soothing, we are certain it will become an item you will not want to live without.

Arnica Infusion Ingredients

The Arnica Infusion formula is based on a combination of scientific research and the use of high quality ingredients. The properties within the formula were chosen for their pain relief, anti-inflammatory, and soothing qualities.

The acting ingredients within the formula include ones many of us are familiar with; along with ones that have not received a lot of publicity (only in research circles). Extensive testing resulted in a blending of ingredients that provides the most synergistic of benefits.

The notable ingredients in the Arnica Infusion formula include:

Arnica - powerful anti-inflammatory, speeds recovery, enhances circulation
Menthol - provides deep penetrating pain relief with a nice cooling sensation
Vitamin B6 - promotes normal nerve function
MSM - supports healthy connective tissues, anti-inflammatory
Ilex Leaf Extract - increases circulation, skin conditioner
Vitamin E - anti-inflammatory, enhances circulation, hydrates the skin
Aloe - anti-inflammatory properties, soothes the skin
Tea Tree - enhances penetration of ingredients

Extensive quality control procedures during the manufacturing process ensure the ingredients and final product are both safe and effective. We would not stake our reputation on anything but the best.

When Do I Apply the Arnica Infusion?

While At Work

Apply Arnica Infusion at work to help reduce acute discomfort associated with overuse of muscles and joints. No matter if you are in a physical demanding job or work within an office environment, you will be placing stress on different parts of the body and aches and pains will result.

Before Or After Work, Sports, & Activity

If you suffer from a sprained ligament, pulled muscle, strained tendon, or even bruising - apply Arnica Infusion for quick relief of the pain.

Chronic Pain Suffering

Application of Arnica Infusion can be done up to a maximum of 4 times per day on a consistent basis to help bring about relief from various pains and aches.

In-between Treatments With the TShellz Wraps^®

Follow up your T-Shellz and Cold treatments with an application of Arnica Infusion. Combine the pain relieving benefits of Arnica Infusion along with the healing benefits of the wraps to make your recovery go much more smoothly.

Do not apply Arnica Infusion within a 2 hour timespan before a TShellz Wrap^® treatment.

Whether you decide to use the Arnica Infusion in conjunction with the TShellz Wrap^® and other treatments - or if you decide to use the cream as a stand-alone product - you will not be disappointed with the results. We guarantee it.

A Note On OverCompensation

Since you are reading this, you probably know that serious elbow bursa and tendon injuries do not just disappear. Over time, they usually wreak havoc on your shoulder & wrist due to lack of movement and over-compensation. It will also wreak havoc on your opposite elbow due to overcompensation. Recovery takes a longer time for such chronic (long term) injuries, but proper healing is essential to regain strength and get you back to the activities you enjoy.

The longer your injury endures, the greater the risk of running into serious overcompensation injuries.

To Stop Re-Injury & Reduce the Risk of a More Serious Overcompensation Injury, You Need to Heal Quickly & Completely!

Anyone in need of rapid recovery and complete healing must consider a comprehensive treatment plan that includes an effective means to minimize swelling and inflammation yet also stimulate healing and promote soft tissue elasticity. We have found no better set of tools that can be used at home than this:

We believe the use of TShellz Wraps^® for boosting blood flow in the area of application is one of the most under-utilized home treatment options available on the market today. We have client after client that have tried many options out there and have been amazed at how effective and fast the TShellz Wrap treatment can relieve pain and increase localized blood flow in the treatment area.

The TShellz Wraps significantly increase bloodflow to tissue in the treatment area - period. With regular use of the TShellz Wrap:

Your pain will be reduced*.
With increased blood flow, soft tissue in the area will recover at an accelerated rate*.
Due to increased warmth in soft tissue, the corresponding joint will have a larger range of motion and increased extensibility of collagen tissue*. This should translate into a reduced rate of injury occurrance as soft tissue becomes more flexible.
(*Chapter 9 of "Therapeutic Heat and Cold", 4th edition. (amazon.com link - Ed. Justus F. Lehmann, M.D., Williams, and Wilkin)

Attach the TShellz Wrap^®, plug it in and let the Energy Pad do the work!

Conservative Treatment Tools Our Clients Have Used to Help
Limit Damage & Boost The Body's Soft Tissue Repair Process at Home:

A Cold Compress or Ice Pack to reduce inflammation in the forearm and/or elbow area (as soon as possible).
An Elbow TShellz Wrap^® to increase blood-flow to the targeted treatment area (a Localized Enhanced Circulatory Response^® Treatment).
MendMeShop Arnica Pain Cream for temporary relief of pain due to sore muscles and joints.
A Forearm Brace to provide comfort, support and protection. (very popular for tennis elbow)
An Exercise & Stretching Plan to prevent muscle atrophy and shortened tendons. A proper plan will increase elasticity and strengthen the muscles and tendons in the wrist, forearm, elbow, upper arm and shoulder.

Conservative treatment tools just like these have been used successfully by thousands of Elbow Injury sufferers - just like you.

TShellz Wrap^® = Enhanced Blood Flow in the Treatment Area

We believe the use of TShellz Wraps^® for boosting blood flow to soft tissue in the area of application is one of the most under-utilized home treatment options available on the market today. We have client after client that have tried many options out there and have been amazed at how effective and fast the TShellz Wrap treatment can relieve pain and increase blood flow in soft tissue.

With regular use of the Elbow TShellz Wrap:

Your pain will be reduced*.
Due to increased blood flow, soft tissue in the treatment area on the arm or leg will be expected to recover at an accelerated rate with reduced potential for re-injury*.
Tissue in the treated area should experience a larger range of motion and increased extensibility of collagen tissue* due to the heat effect on soft tissue. This should translate into a reduced rate of re-injury occurrence as soft tissue is known to lengthen and become more flexible when exposed to warm temperature. (*Chapter 9 of "Therapeutic Heat and Cold", 4th edition. (amazon.com link - Ed. Justus F. Lehmann, M.D., Williams, and Wilkin)

Key Points To Keep in Mind When Treating Your Elbow Injury

Make Sure That Complete Healing is Your #1 Goal

We all know that if the injury was healed, the pain would go away but what about the opposite situation? If the pain is gone, does that mean the injury is better? Unfortunately, this is not always true.

Too many people only focus on suppressing pain symptoms while providing less attention to the true healing aspects of the body. Experiencing less pain, while obviously a good short-term goal, never equates to underlying healing. Scar tissue can remain for months after one gets to a point of being relatively pain-free. However, as long the weak and brittle scar tissue remains, you are susceptible to re-injury or re-aggravation. Certain motions or movements can cause the weaker tissue to easily tear - resulting in some reversal of the recovery up until that point.

This is why we recommend for people to continue with their doctor or therapist recommended exercises and to continue with mild treatments of the TShellz Wrap^® for a period of time - to better ensure complete healing.

Ongoing treatments to enhance circulation will soothe, relax and help promote a healthy recovery of damaged arm muscles and tendons in the elbow region. Elbow T•Shellz treatments will also allow your soft tissue to extend further due to the deep warming sensation created by enhanced circulation and heat in the treatment area. The more extensible your tissues are, the less likely they are to strain or sprain.

The Elbow TShellz Wrap^® is intended to be highly effective medical device for people suffering from bursitis or other soft tissue elbow injuries - such as a tear in your muscle, tendon or other soft tissue, strain, Tendonitis, tendinopathy, tendinosis, impingements, instability, spasms, bursitis, capsulitis, pain associated with trigger points, scar tissue, and arthritis.

A huge number of people who contact us about elbow pain are unsure about the true causes of their discomfort. It is an amazing statistic and really goes to show how important it is to get a proper diagnosis from your physician. To really deal with a injury, you have to know the injury is - so get to the doctor and find out.

Resting Your Elbow Will Help, But Only Temporarily

People tell us all the time, "I was told that if I stay off my feet for a few weeks, my elbow pain will disappear for good."

The truth is, elbow pain is usually a culmination of numerous factors, which often include repetitive stress, high load issues due to excess weight, and/or overcompensation issues resulting from other muscle and soft tissue ailments.

It may take weeks or months for these elbow pain triggers to surface, but when they do, merely resting will not solve the underlying issues. You need to utilize options that actually treat the source of the pain and help reverse the damage that has been done.

Resting has a role to play, but it is only one small factor in a recovery plan.

Identify What is Causing Your Elbow Problem & Fix It
Otherwise, It May Come Back

In order to provide long lasting relief from your elbow pain, you need to identify all the factors that are contributing to it. These factors can include muscle imbalances, back problems, shoulder mobility issues, herniated discs, trauma and tightness to surrounding muscle and soft tissue, etc. The list is certainly significant and it can be frustrating for people who may have no idea where to begin. This is one of many reasons why you should always get to a physician and in some cases, a specialist to identify the source of your problem.

Our Elbow Bursitis Formula Works

It may seem hard to believe, but our Elbow TShellz Wrap home treatment products can assist you in recovering from your shoulder bursitis by maximizing blood flow where it's needed most and reducing your swelling and inflammation induced pain.

Here at AidMyBursa we pride ourselves in helping you with your healing and recovery process. Everyone at AidMyBursa has tested and used the products, finding solutions to conditions that do not fit into the norm. This dedication to our customers and our products goes hand-in-hand with our guarantees to you as a customer:

Guarantee #1 - Use your products diligently for up to 60 days and you will experience a significant reduction in pain. If not, we encourage you to call us to send back the items for a 100% refund.

Guarantee #2 - You will not be left in the dark after purchasing any product form us. AidMyBursa Advisers and Product Specialists are available Mon - Fri by toll free phone 1.866.237.9608 or email to answer your questions or concerns.
Guarantee #3 - Your order is guaranteed to be shipped within 24 hours on every business day.
Guarantee #4 - All purchases receive a one year, full replacement warranty with guaranteed, prompt service.
Guarantee #5 - You could save hundreds of dollars and possibly more, by utilizing our products, and getting back to work sooner.

Continue the healing process by resting your elbow. Limit the activities that may be aggravate your elbow. Without proper rest and limitation on activities, being active as if your elbow is healthy can lead to re-injury. To get back to doing the things you love you need to give your body proper care and attention.

Learn More About Bursitis Injuries & Treatments

I want to learn more about Post-Surgery Recovery

I want to learn more about TShellz Wrap^® Circulatory Boost

I want to learn more about Ice & Heat: Which Is Better For Treatment?

I want to learn more about Bursitis Treatments

I want to learn more about Bursitis Surgery

FREE SHIPPING ON ALL PRODUCTS CURRENTLY ENABLED
60 DAY TRIAL PERIOD

During your recovery, you will probably have to modify and/or eliminate any activities that cause pain or discomfort at the location of your soft tissue injury until the pain and inflammation settle. The more diligent you are with your treatment and rehabilitation, the faster you will see successful results!

Bursitis Inflammation Facts:

Bursitis is the inflammation or irritation of the bursa.

Bursitis is most often caused by repetitive, minor impact on the area, or from a sudden, more serious injury.

Bursitis high-risk activities include gardening, raking, carpentry, shoveling, painting, scrubbing, tennis, golf, skiing, throwing, and pitching.

If bursitis persists and is left untreated, calcium deposits can form within the bursae. These calcium deposits limit range of motion and can lead to a permanently stiff joint.

Incorrect posture at work or home and poor stretching or conditioning before exercise can also lead to bursitis.

TShellz Wrap Elbow for tennis elbow, epicondylitis, elbow strains and elbow sprain

Advanced relief from sprained wrist and carpal tunnel syndrome injuries

Mendmeshop Customer Service for Chronic Bursa Problem Treatment Recommendations

An Overview of Elbow Bursitis(Olecranon Bursitis)