Reducing Joint Friction You'll never know how much you appreciate your bursae until one becomes inflamed. Bursae are small pods throughout your body that reduce friction at joints where bones, tendons and muscles come into contact. Inflammation of a bursa causes painful movements and is known as bursitis. The leadoff posting for a thread titled "Bursitis" that appears in the General Health Topics forum of the Healthier Talk community illustrates the difference between the way conventional medicine treats bursitis and the options available through alternative healthcare. This is also a perfect example of how some familiar regulars come to the aid of those who ask for advice in the HT community. A member named Mom writes, "My husband saw his doc today who diagnosed his elbow pain as bursitis. He gave him Celebrex, and suggested a cortisone injection. Of course, there is a heated discussion in our house today, told him he can't do either one of them. But I have to give him a better solution. He already takes 400IU of natural vitamin E everyday and fish oil too. Any suggestions?" And here are a few of the (slightly edited) responses to Mom about her "Pop's" bursitis: Lahiguera: "I had a sore elbow a few months back. It lingered for months until I bought an elbow strap. It gave some relief immediately. Wear it as tight as you comfortably can." Jerry: "MSM should do the trick. Take as much as needed for relief. A second thing to try is Comfrey extract rubbed into the area." (MSM is methyl-sulfonyl-methane, an organic sulfur supplement that may reduce inflammation and promote the general health of cells.) Leppert: "For immediate relief a castor oil pack does wonders. I used that on my hubby many years ago, before I knew about curcurmin, and it solved the problem. He needs to keep it on a minimum of one hour, preferably three each day until he is better. MSM in addition is great as well but you'll need a therapeutic dose. 500 mg per 30 lbs body weight twice a day about 12 hours apart. Also for inflammation another remedy I like a lot is Arnica gel. It is great for bruises, sprains and strains too." Pinky: "My Mother had bursitis in one shoulder, years ago, [extremely painful] and got the Cortisone shot. The shot hurt, but the bursitis Did improve. Only one shot necessary." JonB: "Cortisone will only cover up the problem, I would suggest a chiro or Osteo." WillowS: "I've had bursitis in my shoulder and have had cortisone injections. I would not recommend that at all. Also, the Celebrex isn't going to cure it. Did the doctor suggest physical therapy? That really helped me. I've also been helped by a chiropractor who used the network method (no cracking or crunching of bones)." Mom now has several alternatives to suggest to her husband, and hopefully he'll find relief without having to resort to cortisone or prescription drugs. Mom's response: "I am grateful not only for the info you guys send me everytime I need it, but for the companionship. I have to go prove to my husband now that I know more than the hot shot orthopedic surgeon he went to." Other topics being discussed this week in the Healthier Talk community forums include: Vision: Cataracts
Dental: Bruxism prevention?
Food Questions: Yeast intake linked to longevity
Arthritis: Gout and cod liver oil
General Health Topics: Neuropathy
Humor: Actual writing on patients' hospital charts | 
