If you’re experiencing joint pain that hasn’t been caused by a specific injury or sudden change in lifestyle, tendonitis could be the culprit. Tendons attach muscle tissue to bones throughout the body, and can become inflamed with overuse or injury. Inflammation in a tendon is called tendonitis
Most cases of tendonitis can resolve on their own with rest, but chronic or long-lasting symptoms may see more successful treatment with the help of a physical therapist.
Causes of tendonitis
Tendonitis usually develops due to the overuse of a joint, especially in repetitive motions or activities. Putting the tendons in your joints under repeated stress causes them to become inflamed and painful and can sometimes take weeks to heal.
Perhaps the most well-known type of tendonitis occurs in the heel, when the Achille’s tendon becomes inflamed and makes it painful to flex your foot, which in turn makes it difficult to walk. Tendonitis tends to have that effect wherever it occurs in the body; a little pain in one part of the joint makes it difficult to perform even basic daily tasks.
Tendonitis plagues athletes in a number of disciplines, which is why so many injuries are better known by the sport that causes them, including:
- Tennis elbow
- Golfer’s elbow
- Runner’s knee
- Swimmer’s shoulder
People who play sports at high levels and who practice often are at an above-average risk for tendonitis compared to people who are less intensely active.
Risk factors of tendonitis
The largest risk factor for developing tendonitis is your lifestyle. People who engage in repetitive activities like painting, gardening, cleaning, lifting, or playing sports are much more likely to experience the condition. In addition, having weaker muscles can put more strain on tendons, which makes it more likely they can be overused and become inflamed.
Finally, the connective tissue throughout your body begins to break down and become less resilient with age and inactivity. Both tendonitis and tendon tears become more likely the less flexible and resilient these tissues are, which is actually a positive sign for the possibility of long-term preventive care through physical therapy.
How physical therapy can help treat tendonitis
Like many other joint and muscle injuries, treating tendonitis is possible with a healthy blend of rest and strength training. Inflamed tissues of all kinds will need time and rest to heal, but you can support the healing process in the long-term by continuing to use the joint safely while it heals.
Physical therapy for tendonitis involves a specific exercise plan for the affected joint in addition to the use of supporting devices like splints to keep it from becoming more damaged. While you recover from tendonitis, our physical therapists can also evaluate your other joints based on your lifestyle risk factors for other injuries.
In addition, our therapists provide training and recommendations for protecting the joint in the years to come by adjusting your body mechanics, posture, or technique to protect and strengthen the joints you use most. Since this is highly dependent on a huge number of individual preferences and lifestyle choices, there’s never a one-size-fits-all technique we recommend for preventing tendonitis.
Getting help early and with an eye toward the future is a well-documented way to feel better quickly with tendonitis. To learn more about what you might expect from tendonitis treatment and recovery, call one of our nearby office locations or request your first appointment online today.
