If you’ve ever been diagnosed with TENDONITIS you know how painful and frustrating this condition can be.
Tendonitis is the most common injury to shoulders, elbows, and wrists. However it is also prevalent in hips, knees, behind the ankle, and in the heel of the foot. Tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, runner’s knee, swimmer’s shoulder, rotator cuff, carpal tunnel, plantar fasciitis and heel spur, achilles pain, shin splints, and the list goes on… These, and many others, are all common forms of tendonitis. It is a painful and often debilitating condition. And because it is slow healing, once it becomes chronic it can be very difficult to get rid of.
However, if you suffer from tendonitis, take heart in knowing that your Chiropractor is an expert doctor for such injuries, and can help you recover. With accurate diagnosis, proper treatment, and a diligent rehabilitation approach, tendonitis can usually be fully resolved and avoided in the future. You simply may need a little help.
What is Tendonitis? Tendonitis is an injury or irritation of the cord-like tendons that connect muscles to bones. When a tendon is strained, stretched, or twisted excessively, or otherwise overused, it may become injured – much like the strands of a cable might fray under similar strain. Pain or a dull ache is often felt shortly after an activity. It might ease with rest, but pain will often recur with movement or a return to activity. If the tendon fails to repair properly, you may end up with a throbbing, constant pain, and a chronic problem. Chronic injuries can often progress to more severe pain as the muscle weakens, making any movement difficult and hindering sleep due to throbbing inflammation.
What Causes Tendonitis? Tendonitis can occur in any sport, physical activity, occupation, or movement, especially when joints are overused, or when someone is undertrained or uses poor technique. In some occupations, repetitive movements, such as typing or manual labour, can cause slow-onset ‘repetitive strain’ injuries to tendons.
What can my Chiropractor do to help Tendonitis? The most important thing your Chiropractor will do for you is to accurately diagnose the problem, ruling out all other possibilities. X-rays can be taken if necessary. Then, your Chiropractor will recommend a treatment plan to address the cause of the tendonitis and to help the injury heal properly and more efficiently. With proper treatment, the pain and inflammation should decrease during the first few weeks. Full healing, however, may take between 2 and 4 months if uncomplicated. Your Chiropractor will apply specific treatments that encourage scar tissue to repair and muscle to regain its function and flexibility. Stretches and exercises are often given to speed healing and improve strength. Over-stretching must be avoided. With steady progress, a patient will eventually regain the ability to safely return to their sport, activity, or occupation.
The one sure thing we know about tendonitis is that it will not generally heal itself. And the longer it persists, the harder it is to get rid of. Your Chiropractor is an expert with such injuries, and will help guide you efficiently and effectively toward a full recovery.
As Chiropractors, we specialise in much more than just back pain and neck pain; we are highly trained doctors, specialised in manual medicine and physical therapies, and experienced in dealing with all muscular, joint, and skeletal complaints – including your tendonitis!
Dr. Eric Kelly is a Chiropractor at Glanmire Chiropractic Clinic. The Clinic specializes in the treatment, management, and rehabilitation of all forms of physical pain and injury, including back pain, neck pain, headache, sports injuries, arthritis, joint and muscle pain, postural problems, and much more