Therapy for Tendinitis

Tendinitis is a condition wherein the tendons, the tissues that connect muscle to bone, become inflamed or irritated, usually because of overuse. This type of injury requires specific therapy to allow the area to heal and rebuild its strength. While tendinitis can occur in any joint, it most commonly affects the arms, wrists and shoulders.

Period of Rest

• The first step in treating tendinitis is dealing with the injury itself. If the pain is intense, take pain medication such as acetaminophen or an anti-inflammatory drug such as ibuprofen or naproxen. Ice the affected joint for 10 to 15 minutes several times per day.
  Use a splint to immobilize it while it heals. Your physician can tell you exactly how long to use the splint, but most patients should wear it for four to six weeks, depending on the severity of the injury. Once the area has healed, therapy will focus on stretching and strengthening the muscles to prevent a recurrence of the injury. This often requires the help of a physical therapist.

Tendinitis Therapy Exercises

• Exercises used to rehabilitate tendinitis vary depending on which joint is affected. For the wrist, stretch it by holding your arm out with your hand hanging down. Use the opposite hand to press the injured wrist down and toward the body and hold it for 15 seconds. Repeat, but this time stretch the hand upward. Do this three times per hand.
  To strengthen the wrist, hold a soup can in the hand with the palm up. Bend the wrist upward and slowly lower it to the starting position. Do three sets of 10 repetitions. Strengthen your grip by squeezing a rubber stress ball for five seconds and then letting go. Again, do three sets of 10.
  For elbow injuries, stretch the tendons by placing the back of your hand against the wall, pointing your fingers toward the floor. Stretch the elbow by putting slight pressure on the hand with the elbow straight. Hold the pose for 30 seconds, and then repeat three times. To strengthen the joint, sit with your arm on a table, hanging your hand off of the edge. Use the opposite hand to lift the weight as far as is comfortable. Then, use the affected hand to slowly lower the weight back down. Do three sets of 15, five days a week.
  For shoulder tendinitis, stretch the joint by holding your hands behind your back near your hips, keeping your arms straight, and pushing your clasped hands upward until you feel a stretch. Hold for 15 seconds, and repeat three to four times. To strengthen the joint, lie on a flat surface such as a bench on your stomach with your arm and hand hanging down. Hold a weight in your hand and slowly raise it to shoulder level. Slowly lower it back to the original position. Do three sets of 10 repetitions.

Cautions About Tendinitis Therapy

• Never start an exercise program without the advice of a physician, as you could end up reinjuring the joint you are trying to strengthen. Your doctor can tell you when the injury has healed enough to allow you to begin exercising. Keep in mind that tendinitis therapy can continue for up to 12 months.