Hip Bursitis Treatment Cincinnati
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What is hip bursitis?
Bursae are small, fluid‑filled sacs that sit between bones, tendons, and muscles to reduce friction and cushion your joints. In your hip, the bursa that most often becomes irritated is the trochanteric bursa, which sits over the bony point on the outside of your upper thigh bone (the greater trochanter).
When this bursa becomes inflamed, it’s called trochanteric bursitis, commonly referred to as “hip bursitis.” Less commonly, inflammation can occur in the iliopsoas bursa on the front of the hip near the groin, which can cause pain in the front of the hip instead of the outer hip.
Common Causes and Risk Factors of hip bursitis
Hip bursitis usually develops because the bursa is being irritated over and over again, or because of a direct injury. The most common contributors include:
- Repetitive stress from running, walking hills, stair climbing, cycling, or standing for long periods
- Direct trauma such as a fall onto the side of your hip or repeatedly bumping your hip on hard surfaces
- Tight iliotibial (IT) band that rubs over the bursa on the outside of your hip
- Spine problems (like scoliosis or lumbar arthritis) that change how you walk and load the hip
- Leg length differences that create uneven pressure through the hips
- Inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis that make bursae more prone to irritation
- Previous hip surgery or hip replacement, which can alter mechanics around the bursa
- Bone spurs or calcium deposits on the tendons that attach near the greater trochanter
At Simply Well Chiropractic, we look beyond the bursa itself to identify the underlying mechanical issues—like hip weakness, gluteal tendinopathy, pelvic imbalance, or gait changes—that keep your pain coming back.
Signs and Symptoms of Hip Bursitis
Trochanteric hip bursitis tends to follow a predictable pattern. Many patients describe:
Pain that is worse when:
Lying or sleeping on the affected side
Getting out of a chair or car
Walking longer distances or climbing stairs
Standing for prolonged periods
In some cases, you may also notice tenderness to touch, mild swelling, warmth, stiffness, or a catching/clicking sensation over the outer hip. If the iliopsoas bursa is involved, pain is usually felt in the groin or front of the hip rather than on the outer side.
How SoftWave Therapy Helps Hip Bursitis Heal
SoftWave Therapy is an FDA‑cleared, non‑invasive acoustic wave treatment that stimulates your body’s own healing mechanisms at the cellular level. Unlike injections that simply reduce inflammation, SoftWave is designed to help repair damaged tissues and restore healthier function around the hip.
When acoustic waves are delivered to the outer hip, they can:
- Reduce inflammation at its source by modulating inflammatory mediators and improving microcirculation
- Improve blood flow to the irritated bursa, gluteal tendons, and surrounding soft tissues (neovascularization)
- Activate local stem cells and drive tissue regeneration in areas of chronic degeneration
- Break up small, painful scar tissue adhesions and calcifications that create friction and pressure
- Decrease muscle tension in the hip musculature, improving mobility and comfort
For many patients with trochanteric hip bursitis, this combination of anti‑inflammatory and regenerative effects leads to meaningful pain reduction and improved function—often within just a few weeks of starting care.
SoftWave vs. Injections and Surgery for Hip Bursitis
Here’s how our approach compares to common medical options for hip bursitis:
At Simply Well Chiropractic, we often integrate SoftWave Therapy with personalized rehab and chiropractic care, so you get the benefits of pain relief, tissue healing, and improved biomechanics in the same plan.
Our Comprehensive Hip Bursitis Plan in Cincinnati
Your care plan for hip bursitis at Simply Well Chiropractic is tailored around your history, goals, and activity level, but it often includes:
Lifestyle and Activity Coaching
We help you modify sleep positions, sitting habits, training loads, and daily activities so you can continue moving without constantly irritating your hip.
Precise Assessment and Diagnosis
We identify whether your pain is purely bursitis or part of a broader picture like gluteal tendinopathy, hip flexor involvement, or low‑back–related issues.
SoftWave Therapy Sessions
SoftWave is delivered to the tender outer hip, gluteal tendon insertions, and other involved tissues to reduce inflammation and stimulate healing. Most patients complete a series of targeted sessions scheduled over several weeks.
Gentle Chiropractic and Manual Care
When appropriate, we address contributing spinal and pelvic misalignments that alter hip loading and stress the bursa.
Targeted Rehabilitation Exercises
You’ll receive customized exercises to:
- Strengthen hip abductors and core stabilizers
- Lengthen tight IT bands and hip flexors
- Improve gait and movement patterns so your pain doesn’t keep returning
What to Expect During SoftWave Therapy for Hip Bursitis
Patients often want to know how treatment feels and how quickly they might notice changes.
- During the session: You’ll lie comfortably while a water‑based gel is applied to the outer hip. The SoftWave device is moved over the painful area, delivering pulsed acoustic waves. You may feel brief, tolerable discomfort over the most irritated spots, followed by a sense of relief as the session progresses.
- After the session: Many people notice decreased pain and easier movement within the first few treatments, with continued improvement over several weeks as tissue healing progresses.
- Number of visits: Treatment plans vary, but a typical SoftWave series for hip bursitis may include an initial evaluation, a testing session, and a short course of weekly or twice‑weekly sessions, combined with home exercises.
When to Consider SoftWave Therapy at Simply Well Chiropractic
You may be a good candidate for SoftWave Therapy for hip bursitis if:
- Outer hip pain is limiting your sleep, work, walking, or recreation
- You’ve tried “rest and ice” or basic stretching with only temporary relief
- You want to avoid repeated steroid injections or are not a candidate for them
- You’ve been told surgery is a potential next step and you’d like to try a non‑invasive option first
- You’re ready to address both the pain and the underlying causes so you can move confidently again
Cincinnati’s trusted softwave provider
Dr. Faith Swartzendruber is a licensed chiropractor and SoftWave Therapy provider in Cincinnati, Ohio, who helps people find relief from hip bursitis and related hip pain. She focuses on reducing inflammation, easing discomfort, and restoring smooth, comfortable movement—without surgery or heavy medications. Using an evidence-informed, personalized approach, Dr. Faith combines SoftWave Therapy with targeted chiropractic and rehabilitative care to promote lasting healing and better hip function.
Dr. Faith earned her Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 2022.
She holds Ohio chiropractic license (DC-05144).
Dr. Faith Swartzendruber, DC, integrates her SoftWave Therapy training and chiropractic license with her education background to deliver SoftWave treatments that are both clinically informed and patient-centered.
Dr. Faith has helped hundreds of Cincinnati patients overcome chronic pain with SoftWave Therapy and chiropractic care.
Home Care Tips for Hip Bursitis Relief
While professional care addresses the root of your problem, there are simple steps you can take at home to support healing:
- Avoid lying directly on the painful hip; use pillows between your knees and consider a softer topper if your mattress is firm
- Use ice packs over the outer hip for 10–20 minutes at a time, especially after increased activity
- After the first few days, add gentle heat to relax tight muscles around the hip if it feels good
- Gradually reintroduce walking and low‑impact exercise, staying below the level that triggers a flare
- Perform your prescribed stretches and strengthening exercises consistently, even once your pain begins to improve
If your pain suddenly worsens, you develop fever or redness, or you notice significant weakness, you should seek medical evaluation promptly, as these can be signs of a more serious problem.
Hip Bursitis Treatment in Cincinnati – Start with a Consultation
If you’re ready for a more complete solution to hip bursitis pain, our team at Simply Well Chiropractic in Cincinnati is here to help. We combine SoftWave Therapy, chiropractic care, and personalized rehab to calm inflammation, improve hip mechanics, and support long‑term healing instead of just masking symptoms.
To find out whether SoftWave Therapy is right for your hip bursitis, schedule a consultation with Simply Well Chiropractic in Cincinnati today.
Written and medically reviewed by Dr. Faith Swartzendruber, DC
Ohio Chiropractic License: DC-05144 | Palmer College of Chiropractic
Founder, Simply Well Chiropractic, Cincinnati