Telltale Signs of Tendonitis & How Physical Therapy Can Help

It’s not uncommon to suffer from the occasional ache or pain. In fact, most of us suffer from aches and pains from time to time. But when those occasional aches and pains become persistent or chronic, that’s when there’s a problem. One very common cause of pain is tendonitis.

Tendonitis is a condition where a tendon, the tissue connecting muscles to bones, becomes inflamed. It can happen anywhere that tendons are found in the body, but it is most common in the shoulder, elbow, knee, wrist and heel.

The most prominent symptom of tendonitis is pain. Every person’s pain is different. For some, it is a dull pain, but for others it can be more of a burning sensation. Other common tendonitis symptoms to look out for are:

  • Stiffness
  • Swelling
  • Tenderness
  • Weakness

These symptoms can be associated with many other conditions so it can be tricky to pinpoint at first. The easiest way to determine if you’re suffering from tendonitis is to focus on where and when the pain occurs. If you experience pain in your knees during physical activities like running or biking, or even have trouble walking up the stairs, you might have patellar tendonitis. If you feel pain when picking up objects or trying to open jars, that’s an indication of tendonitis in your elbow. Determining where the pain is localized to and what activities cause it will help you figure out if the pain you are experiencing is a result of tendonitis.

Physical therapy has proven to be an effective treatment for tendonitis. Stretching and strengthening the affected muscles and tendons can help you minimize the pain and improve your mobility. Eccentric stretching has become especially popular among exercises that improve tendon-related conditions.

If you think you might be suffering from tendonitis, Desert Hand Therapy can help. Our physical therapists specialize in treating tendonitis, and will help you reduce the pain and increase your range of motion.

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