Expert Chiropractic Care

People who practice repetitive motions—usually involving either a job or a sport—are at higher risk of developing tendonitis (also spelled tendinitis). This is an inflammation of the tendons that can affect any of the body’s tendons, but most commonly those in the arms and legs.

Our tendons are made of strong, ropy fibers of collagen that form the connective tissue attaching muscle to bone. The most commonly affected tendons are the tendons of the rotator cuff, the bicipital tendons, the tendons at the elbow – both inside and outside, the patellar and popliteal tendons at the knee, the posterior tibial tendon, and the Achilles tendon at the heel.

Tendonitis tends to occur if a tendon rubs over bone or if it is used continually, particularly after a period of disuse. People who only exercise hard on the weekends, for example, are prone to tendonitis. Other activities which may cause tendonitis include tennis, golf, skiing, raking, gardening, painting, shoveling and carpentry work. Certain physical conditions can contribute to tendonitis as well, including gout, arthritis, thyroid disorders and reactions to certain medications. A malaligned bone or joint can also contribute to the development of the condition. When tendonitis occurs the affected area can become inflamed causing pain and/or mild swelling.

The most common treatment for tendonitis is ice and rest to give the affected tendon time to recover and reduce inflammation. Depending on exactly where the tendonitis occurs you may need to stop playing any sport and resist activity that aggravates the painful area. Also, using some type of support, such as a brace, can provide added stability and keep the area immobile so healing can occur.

At Moramarco Chiropractic Office, we offer low level laser therapy (LLLT),  also known as cold laser, as en effective way to speed healing when tendonitis occurs. Cold laser is painless and works at the cellular level to promote healing. Cold laser is a safe treatment because power densities are low.

When you feel a tendonitis coming on, use an ice pack on the area 2 or 3 times a day for 10-20 minutes to help reduce pain and swelling. A bag of frozen peas can also work well for this. Never put an ice pack directly on your skin; wrap it in a damp washcloth or towel first.

Anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen are sometimes recommended to reduce pain and swelling, but these should not be taken for extended periods of time. In more severe cases of tendonitis (relatively rare), some physicians recommend corticosteroid injections or surgery. Most of the time these are unnecessary.

Although tendonitis can be quite stubborn and linger for months most cases will heal in time with proper care. Manual therapies such as massage and special exercise programs to stretch and strengthen the tendon and supporting muscles can have better long-term efficacy than steroid injections.

If you are facing a tendonitis challenge, Dr. Moramarco can suggest a variety of treatments to help you heal, including ultrasound, electrical muscle stimulation, massage, manual trigger point therapy, cold laser and joint manipulation to help restore range of motion and reduce inflammation.

Dr. Marc Moramarco is the chiropractor in Woburn with twenty-seven years of service to the community. His office is conveniently located just off I95 at Exit 35, near the Stop & Shop in Woburn, at 3 Baldwin Green Common. Dr. Marc serves patients from the north suburbs of Boston including Woburn, Burlington, Reading, North Reading, Wilmington, Winchester, Stoneham, Lexington, Wakefield, Lynnfield, Andover, Medford, Bedford and beyond. Call us today at 781-938-8558 to schedule your appointment.