Chiropractic Care for Tendonitis

Tendonitis (often spelled Tendinitis) is the inflammation and irritation of a tendon and is often very responsive to treatment.

Tendonitis responds well to joint manipulation, radial shockwave therapy as well as physical therapy, ultrasound therapy and ice. Both are used to restore flexibility of the tendon, reduce inflammation and promote healing.

After examining you, the doctor will determine if tendonitis  is the cause of your joint pain, or whether it may be another condition altogether. The doctor will also determine why the tendonitis is occurring, as chiropractic does not just treat the symptom, but rather it looks at the whole person biomechanically. Careful attention is paid to why the condition is occurring so all causes of the problem can be addressed not just the symptom of pain. This all encompassing approach will lead to a strategy to prevent the tendonitis from recurring.

“There is evidence that ultrasound therapy provides clinically important improvement in the treatment of calcific tendonitis……evidence exists to support the use of supervised exercise, eccentric exercise, friction massage, acupuncture, laser therapy, use of bracing, orthotics, and cryotherapy in the treatment of tendinopathy”* (Pfefer, Cooper, Uhl; Chiropractic Management of Tendinopathy: A Literature Synthesis)* Tendinopathy is another word for the condition more commonly referred to as tendonitis.

What is Tendonitis?

Tendons are strong yet flexible fibrous bands that connect muscle to bone. When any muscle in the body contracts to move a bone, a tendon is responsible for transmitting to the bone the force of that contraction. If it helps to understand the mechanism, technically a tendon is a part of the muscle; the part that attaches to the bone.

How does Tendonitis Happen?

Overuse and repetitive motion can create excess friction in a tendon and cause pressure to build up, which leads to inflammation and irritation – otherwise known as tendonitis. This causes joint pain and difficulty moving that joint. The pain, obviously, is worsened during any activity that uses the affected joint. It also tends to be worse in the mornings and at night than during the day.

Where does Tendonitis Happen?

As with arthritis, there are many different types of tendonitis, in part relating to the particular tendon involved. Many of the tendonitis cases we see in this office are from achilles tendonitis, jumper’s knee, tennis elbow, rotator cuff tendonitis, supraspinatus tendonitis, iliotibial band tendonitis, and golfer’s elbow. The most common joints to develop tendonitis are the ankle, bicep, elbow, heel (achilles tendon), hip, leg, knee, shoulder, thumb, and wrist. But tendonitis can affect any joint.

Regardless of type, however, symptoms of tendonitis are fairly standard.

Symptoms of Tendonitis Include:

• swelling of the tendon
• tenderness over the area of the tendon
• pain when moving (or trying to move) the affected tendon and surrounding muscles

What does Tendonitis Feel Like?

The pain associated with tendinitis can either appear suddenly and severely or come on slowly and gradually over time. Lastly sometimes tendinitis can cause a sensation of warmth or even burning in the affected joint area.

What factors contribute to Tendonitis?

Besides overuse and repetitive motion, other possible causes of tendonitis are degenerative causes and those classified as “age-related”, though these are still not fully understood. Nevertheless, it is known that tendons lose their elasticity and ease of movement as a person ages, resulting in people being more prone to tendonitis as they grow older. Other conditions, like arthritis, gout, and thyroid-related disorders, can also cause tendonitis.

Risk Factors for Tendonitis Include:

• injury
• stress
• poor posture
• any occupation or vocation involving repetitive motion (i.e. athletes, carpenters, gardeners, and musicians)
• any abnormality in the bone or joint
• age (starting at 40 y.o.)

How is Tendonitis Diagnosed?

As for diagnosing tendonitis, although x-rays are not able to show tendons, they can at least reveal the degree of swelling around the tendon. They are also helpful in ruling out fractures as the cause of the joint pain. MRI studies, on the other hand, are able to reveal tendonitis, but they are generally not needed unless the doctor suspects another problem is involved.

Tendonitis Complications

If left untreated, tendonitis could become chronic and lead to a rupture (or tear) of the tendon, which would then require surgery. Even after surgery, permanent damage may not be avoided. So it’s best to get any symptoms you may have of tendonitis checked out as soon as they arise.

We are open 6 days a week and accommodate same day emergency appointments for Tendonitis.  To schedule an appointment call us at 773.878.7330.