Reducing or eliminating the repetitive pressure or movement causing bursitis is the first and most important step in recovery — allowing the bursa to reduce its inflammatory response.

Oral NSAIDs are commonly used for bursitis to reduce bursal inflammation and pain, facilitating activity modification and rehabilitation.

Physiotherapy addresses the mechanical contributors to bursitis — typically weakness of adjacent muscles that increases bursal compression — through targeted strengthening and movement re-education.

Curcumin's anti-inflammatory properties may complement medical management of bursitis by reducing systemic and local inflammatory mediators.

Aspiration (needle drainage) of a significantly swollen bursa reduces pressure and pain rapidly, and allows the fluid to be tested if infection is suspected.

Cold application to the affected bursa reduces acute inflammation, swelling, and pain in the initial phase of bursitis.

Intra-bursal corticosteroid injection rapidly reduces bursal inflammation and fluid, providing significant and often durable pain relief for bursitis.

Protective padding over the affected bursa (olecranon, prepatellar, Achilles) prevents further mechanical trauma from contact pressure.

High-dose omega-3 supplementation may reduce bursal and periarticular inflammation as a complementary anti-inflammatory approach.

Long-term prevention of bursitis recurrence requires systematic modification of the activities, postures, and surfaces that caused the initial condition.