Tendonitis
Tendonitis is a common painful disorder involving inflammation of a tendon, a band of tissue that joins muscle to bone. Tendonitis can be effectively treated with chiropractic care. There are a tendons at various regions of the body, including the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle, and any one of them can become inflamed because of traumatic injury, chronic overuse, or an underlying disease condition. Autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, or lupus can make tendonitis more likely to occur. Injuries that may precipitate tendonitis include sports activities or accidents that stretch the tendon beyond its normal range or twist it abnormally. Once patients are suffering the acute pain of tendonitis, they often move in ways that worsen the condition by resulting in misalignments of the spine.
Chiropractic Care for Tendonitis
Both the underlying causes of tendonitis and the acute injury itself can be effectively treated with chiropractic care. Chiropractors address issues such as poor posture, tight muscles, misaligned vertebrae and abnormal foot mechanics that may contribute to tendon damage or worsen it.
Once fractures and serious disease conditions have been ruled out by diagnostic imaging tests, chiropractic treatment can be very helpful in lessening discomfort, increasing range of motion, speeding up the healing process, and preventing further damage.
Chiropractors use various techniques to help patients suffering from tendonitis. Immediately after the injury, when the pain is most acute, temporary immobilization, rest and application of ice may be necessary. Most chiropractors, however, try to begin stretching and gentle massage as soon as possible to keep the muscles from stiffening or cramping. Chiropractic methods used to treat tendonitis may include:
- Manual spinal adjustments
- Joint manipulation of the affected area
- Ice or heat therapy
- Ultrasound therapy
- Electrical stimulation
- Deep muscle massage
- Trigger point therapy
. Chiropractic treatment can help patients to avoid uneven wear and tear of their joints and vertebrae, as well as increased muscle stiffness, during recovery. With chiropractic care, patients' bodies are reprogrammed to move in healthier ways, assisting the body to heal itself more effectively.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Tendonitis
Where allopathic medicine relies on medications and surgical procedures for tendonitis, chiropractic treats the symptoms of painful inflammation in a less invasive, more immediate fashion. Patients can experience symptom relief beginning with their first chiropractic visit. The practitioner's hands-on approach releases tension and pressure from affected joints and nerves and trigger point massage may lessen pain within minutes. Patients who visit chiropractors usually experience a reduced pain level and increased mobility after the first few sessions. Although full healing may take at least 6 weeks, the period of treatment is usually one of successive improvement.
Advantages of chiropractic care over conventional medicine include:
- Rapid symptom relief
- Absence of medication
- Non-invasive nature of treatment
- Holistic approach to healing
- Resistance to further injury
During the period of chiropractic treatment, scar tissue forms to help heal the injury. While this is occurring, continued treatment with ultrasound and massage is necessary to break down scar tissue, increase blood flow, and ensure that full joint and muscle flexibility returns. As healing takes place, the chiropractor helps to stretch the patient's muscles, increasing gradually to promote full range of motion. Chiropractic care, including advice on nutrition, posture, and proper exercise helps the patient to avoid future injury.