Tendonitis
Tendonitis means inflammation of a tendon. As an example: if you have elbow tendonitis, the area around the elbow becomes inflamed. This is also referred to as tennis elbow, but really most people don’t get tennis elbow from playing tennis. When tendons become overused, they get inflamed, and you end up with pain.
Tendonitis Symptoms
Tendonitis symptoms range from an ache around the tendon, to a more severe burning and swelling that surrounds a joint. Pain is typically worse during and after activity.
Causes of Tendonitis
The most common cause of tendonitis is overuse. A lot of people experience tendonitis from playing tennis or golf after a season of inactivity. With the introduction of a new physical activity or even just an increase in the level of exercise, inflammation and irritation of the tendon is quite common. Another cause is age-related. Unfortunately, as we age, the tendons lose their elasticity. Tendonitis can also develop over time from years of excessive repetitive work such as that of a carpenter or computer operator.
Types of Tendonitis
- Wrist
- Achilles (ankle)
- Patellar (knee)
- Rotator Cuff (shoulder)
- Elbow
Treatment of Tendonitis
Early treatment intervention of tendonitis will help prevent the development of further damage to the tendon. The first rule of thumb is to stop all activity that causes the pain.
- Rest
- Get treatment – visit a massage therapist or sports injury professional
- Apply ice to reduce inflammation
- See your doctor for other treatment options
Massage Treatment for Tendonitis
Why massage? Recent studies have found that deep friction massage may actually stimulate the collagen production in damaged tendon fibers, and this in turn, can promote a more speedy recovery (Med Sci Sport Exercise. 31:531-535, 1999).
© Copyright, Sylvia Carlson, 2006. Reproduction without permission prohibited.
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