Understanding Tendinitis & How We Treat It
Why tendon pain happens and how to get back to moving comfortably
Tendinitis is a common source of pain that can affect the shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees, and ankles. It often develops when a tendon is exposed to more stress than it can comfortably handle, whether from repetitive movements, increased activity, or changes in your exercise routine.
So, how do we fix it?
The first step is identifying what's causing the irritation. Simply resting or avoiding activity may provide temporary relief, but it doesn't always address the underlying issue.
Our approach focuses on a few key steps:
- Reduce irritation: Modify activities that aggravate the tendon while keeping you moving as comfortably as possible.
- Improve mobility: Address any limitations in the surrounding joints and muscles that may be contributing to excessive tendon loading.
- Progressive strengthening: Gradually introduce targeted exercises to help the tendon tolerate increasing loads and rebuild strength.
- Correct movement patterns: Evaluate how you move during everyday activities, work, and exercise to identify potential contributing factors.
The importance of strengthening
One of the biggest misconceptions about tendinitis is that complete rest is always the answer. While temporarily reducing aggravating activities can be helpful, tendons generally benefit from appropriately dosed, progressive loading to improve their capacity and function. The key is finding the right balance between activity and recovery.
Don't let tendon pain become a long-term problem!
Whether you're dealing with tennis elbow, Achilles tendon pain, rotator cuff irritation, or knee tendon pain, the goal is to address the underlying factors, restore strength, and help you return to your normal activities without recurring symptoms.
At Harvard Square Chiropractic, we take a rehabilitation-focused approach to treating tendon injuries, combining targeted exercises, mobility work, and individualized treatment plans to help you get back to doing what you love.
Have a persistent ache or pain that's limiting your activity? Don't just work around it. Let's identify the cause and build a plan to get you moving comfortably again.
