What is it?
Tendons connect muscles to bones. In tendonitis they get inflamed .
Why?
It is an overuse injury. Commonly found in:
Elbows - tennis and golfers elbow plus weeding and pruning, lifting heavy objects, woodworking.
Shoulder - Throwing a ball, reaching up high repeatedly, painting, pruning high,shovelling, poor posture.
Hip - Excess bushwalking, stair climbing
Achilles tendon - running, plus various sports
An injury
Strain from sudden movements
Other risk factors
Symptoms
Treatment
Step one
Step two
1. Go to your doctor to get some scans done. Depending on the results any of the suggestions below can be initiated.
2.Corticosteroid injections or acupuncture to reduce inflammation
3. Physical therapy - The use of range of motion exercises to improve mobility of the joint. Massage to the surrounding muscle area to unload the tendon and cross friction massage to the tendon to improve movement and spread out the fibres.
3. And a gradual loading of the tendon by exercises is a must to strengthen the tendon back to its original function. A physio or chiropracter will give you an exercise programme
How long to heal?
This all depends on the severity of the tendon injury. Mild tendonitis may heal 2-3 weeks after treatment. For severe cases several months is the norm.
The best way to speed up your healing time is rest. So, do not participate in strenuous exercises or activities that can put stress on your tendon. Easier said than done! Not many of us are very patient when it comes to getting back to our normal activities whether it be gardening, tennis, swimming , running or your job such as painting or landscaping.
How do I prevent tendonitis?
Lowering your risk
WARNING
If you develop tendinitis and get treated you can get tendonitis again if you put too much strain on it.
It can be very challenging if you are an active person or play sport. Hang in there. It will get better. You just need patience.
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This edition will look at three topics : calf and foot cramps with ideas on how to treat this common affliction Colds and flu and ways to strengthen the immune system And a couple of weeks of closure of the clinic from Sat 17 June to reopen ion Tuesday 4 July Also, as of 15 June I will no longer have a business land line - 9436 0306. Instead please use my mobile number to contact me and make appointments. 04247192436
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