Laser Therapy for Bursitis

If you’ve been told you have bursitis—and you’re tired of ice packs, pills, and flare-ups every time you’re a little more active—laser therapy may be a smart, non-drug way to calm the fire and help you move more comfortably.

At Paragon Chiropractic and Wellness Center in Bloomfield Hills, we use therapeutic laser as part of a comprehensive plan to treat bursitis and related soft-tissue irritation. Our goal is not just to “numb” your pain, but to help the irritated tissues actually heal.

What Is Bursitis?

All around your body are tiny, fluid-filled sacs called bursae. They act like little cushions between bones, tendons, muscles, and ligaments, reducing friction as you move. When one of these sacs gets irritated and inflamed, you get bursitis.

Common spots for bursitis include:

Shoulder (subacromial bursitis)
Hip (trochanteric bursitis)
Elbow (“student’s elbow”)
Knee (“housemaid’s knee” or pes anserine bursitis)
Heel and base of the big toe

Typical symptoms are:

Localized pain near a joint
Swelling or warmth
Tenderness when you press on the area
Pain with specific movements (lifting your arm, lying on your side, climbing stairs, kneeling, etc.)

Bursitis is often triggered by repetitive motion, overuse, direct pressure, or a sudden increase in activity. It can also be associated with underlying joint problems, poor biomechanics, or in some cases infection or systemic inflammatory disease.

How Is Bursitis Usually Treated?

Conventional care for non-infectious bursitis typically includes:

Rest and activity modification
Ice and anti-inflammatory medications
Physical therapy and stretching
Cortisone (steroid) injections in some cases

These can help, but many people in Bloomfield and Bloomfield Hills find that symptoms keep coming back—especially if you return to the same movements and positions that irritated the bursa in the first place.

That’s where laser therapy can be a helpful addition to your care plan.

How Laser Therapy Works for Bursitis

Therapeutic laser (often called “cold laser” or photobiomodulation) uses specific wavelengths of light that are absorbed by your cells. This light energy interacts with structures inside the cell—especially the mitochondria—and can help:

Reduce inflammatory chemicals in tissues
Improve local circulation
Support faster tissue repair
Modulate nerve activity and pain signaling

Because bursitis is fundamentally inflammation of a bursa, often occurring right alongside irritated tendons and soft tissues, laser therapy is a logical, targeted way to help calm the irritated area and support recovery.

Types of Bursitis We Commonly See

Many patients who come to Paragon Chiropractic and Wellness Center from Bloomfield, Bloomfield Hills, and nearby communities have one of these patterns:

Shoulder Bursitis (Subacromial Bursitis)

Common symptoms:

Pain raising your arm overhead or out to the side
Difficulty reaching behind your back or putting on a coat
Night pain when lying on the affected side

Subacromial bursitis commonly coexists with rotator cuff irritation. Laser therapy helps reduce inflammation in the bursa and surrounding tissues so gentle rehab and chiropractic care are more comfortable and effective.

Hip Bursitis (Trochanteric Bursitis)

Common symptoms:

Pain on the outside of the hip, often radiating down the outer thigh
Discomfort when lying on that side
Pain climbing stairs, getting out of a car, or walking hills

The hip has bursae that cushion the big bony bump on the outside of the thigh. When they’re inflamed, every step can hurt. Laser therapy helps calm the irritated tissues so you can move more freely.

Knee Bursitis

Common symptoms:

Swelling and pain in front of or just below the kneecap
Pain with kneeling, stair climbing, or getting up from the floor

This often develops in people who kneel a lot (gardening, trades, certain sports) or after a bump or fall. Laser therapy can reduce swelling and discomfort while we work on nearby muscles and joint mechanics.

Elbow Bursitis

Common symptoms:

Swelling over the tip of the elbow
Ache or tenderness when leaning on that elbow

Laser therapy can help reduce swelling in the bursa and surrounding soft tissues, and chiropractic and massage can address any joint or muscle issues contributing to the problem.

Heel or Foot Bursitis

Common symptoms:

Pain near the heel, back of the heel (near the Achilles), or base of the big toe
Often overlapping with plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendon irritation

Because bursitis often lives right next to tendons and ligaments, we typically treat the whole region—not just the bursa itself.

What Laser Therapy Can Do for Bursitis

When used appropriately as part of a broader care plan, laser therapy for bursitis may:

Decrease local pain and tenderness
Reduce swelling in and around the bursa
Help calm surrounding irritated tendons and soft tissues
Improve comfort with movement and daily activities
Support faster resolution of flare-ups

Many patients describe:

Being able to lie on the affected shoulder or hip again
Climbing stairs with less pain
Kneeling briefly for work or hobbies with less discomfort
Needing fewer pain pills or anti-inflammatory medications (always in coordination with their prescribing doctor)

Everyone responds differently, and no therapy works for 100% of patients—but for many, laser is a valuable addition to rest, corrective exercises, and improved biomechanics.

What a Bursitis Laser Therapy Plan Looks Like

Your plan at Paragon Chiropractic and Wellness Center is individualized, but a typical approach includes:

1. Detailed Assessment

We start by understanding:

Which bursa is inflamed (shoulder, hip, knee, etc.)
What activities trigger your pain
How long you’ve had the problem and what you’ve already tried
Any underlying conditions such as arthritis, inflammatory disease, history of infection, or surgery

We perform a focused exam and review any imaging or reports you bring so we can target the real source of irritation.

2. Focused Laser Sessions

Bursitis usually responds best to a series of laser sessions, not just one. Depending on the severity and how long it’s been present:

We may start with 2–3 treatments per week
Each area is treated for just a few minutes
We adjust settings and frequency based on your response

Most people find laser sessions painless—you may feel a gentle warmth or nothing at all.

3. Correcting the Underlying Mechanics

To truly fix bursitis, we have to look beyond the bursa itself:

Are certain muscles too tight and others too weak?
Is your posture or movement pattern overloading the joint?
Is there an underlying spinal or joint alignment issue?

That’s where chiropractic and rehab come in. Alongside laser, we may recommend:

Chiropractic adjustments to improve joint motion
Chiropractic massage therapy to release tight muscles
Gentle stretching and strengthening exercises
Ergonomic or activity modifications to reduce stress on the area

Laser helps calm the inflammation so you can tolerate the movement and rehab you need to prevent the bursitis from constantly returning.

Is Laser Therapy for Bursitis Safe?

For most people, low-level laser therapy has a very good safety profile when used correctly. Side effects are uncommon and usually mild and temporary, such as brief soreness or warmth.

However, there are situations where we use extra caution or avoid laser altogether, such as:

Over or near known or suspected cancerous tumors
Directly over the eyes
In certain areas during pregnancy
Over active infection or open wounds (unless specifically indicated and cleared)

We also consider your overall medical history, medications, and any implanted devices. If anything in your situation makes laser inappropriate or higher risk, we’ll explain that and recommend other options.

Laser therapy at Paragon Chiropractic and Wellness Center is always provided within a professional, evidence-informed framework and is not a replacement for appropriate medical evaluation—especially if there’s any concern about infection, systemic illness, or other red flags.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Bursitis Laser Therapy?

You may be a good candidate if you:

Have been diagnosed with non-infectious bursitis
Feel like bursitis is limiting your work, sports, sleep, or daily life
Want to reduce pain and inflammation without relying solely on medications
Are willing to combine in-office care with simple home exercises and activity changes

You may need additional medical evaluation first if you have:

Fever, chills, or feeling generally unwell with your joint pain
A red, hot, severely swollen joint
Recent trauma with suspected fracture
Unexplained weight loss or other systemic symptoms

If we suspect infection, fracture, or something more serious, we’ll refer you to your medical provider or urgent care as appropriate.

Why Choose Paragon Chiropractic and Wellness Center for Bursitis Care?

Patients from Bloomfield, Bloomfield Hills, and surrounding communities choose Paragon Chiropractic and Wellness Center for bursitis care because we offer:

An integrated approach
Laser therapy, chiropractic adjustments, chiropractic massage therapy, and targeted rehab exercises are combined to address both pain and root causes.
Condition-specific, not “cookie-cutter,” care
Shoulder bursitis from overhead work is different from hip bursitis in a runner or knee bursitis in a gardener. We tailor your plan to your body and your life.
Clear communication
We explain what bursitis is, how laser therapy fits in, and what kind of results are realistic—without hype or pressure.
Local convenience
Our office in Bloomfield Hills is easy to reach from Bloomfield (Bloomfield Township), Birmingham, West Bloomfield, Troy, Southfield, and the greater Metro Detroit area.

What to Expect at Your First Visit

At your first bursitis visit, we will:

Talk through your symptoms, history, work, and activities
Perform a focused exam of the painful area and related joints
Review any imaging or reports you bring
Explain whether laser therapy is appropriate, and how it would fit with chiropractic care and massage
Outline a personalized plan, including visit frequency, expected timeline, and what you can do at home to help your recovery

You’ll have time to ask questions and decide if this approach feels right for you.

Laser Therapy for Bursitis Near Bloomfield, Michigan

If bursitis is making work, sports, or even sleep difficult, you don’t have to just “put up with it.”

Paragon Chiropractic and Wellness Center
6405 Telegraph Road
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301

We proudly serve patients from:

Bloomfield (Bloomfield Township), MI
Bloomfield Hills, MI
Birmingham
West Bloomfield
Troy
Southfield
And many nearby communities

Call (248) 590-2195 today to schedule an appointment and find out whether laser therapy for bursitis at Paragon Chiropractic and Wellness Center can help you move with less pain and more confidence.

Experience the Healing Power of Laser Therapy

Laser therapy is a safe and effective treatment that supports the body’s natural healing processes, providing relief from pain, inflammation, and stiffness. Whether you’re recovering from an injury, managing a chronic condition, or seeking to enhance your rehabilitation, laser therapy can help you get back to feeling your best. Consult with Dr. Dan to see if laser therapy is the right choice for your pain management and recovery needs.

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*Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice. Laser therapy, while effective for many, may not be suitable for everyone. Results can vary based on individual conditions and circumstances. Always consult with a licensed healthcare professional or chiropractor to discuss your specific health concerns and determine the best treatment options for you. This article is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.