Tendinitis & Tendinopathy
Tendons heal more slowly than muscles and require a structured evaluation and progressive care plan to fully recover. Whether you are dealing with tennis elbow, Achilles tendinopathy, rotator cuff irritation, or another chronic tendon condition, our approach goes beyond symptom management to address the tissue damage and movement mechanics driving the problem.
Full kinetic chain evaluation
Progressive tendon recovery
The Basics
Tendinitis refers to acute inflammation of a tendon, typically occurring after a sudden injury or a rapid increase in activity that overwhelms the tendon’s capacity. Tendinopathy is a broader term that describes chronic tendon dysfunction characterized by structural changes within the tendon tissue rather than acute inflammation. While these terms are often used interchangeably, the distinction matters clinically because the treatment approach for chronic tendinopathy differs significantly from that of acute tendinitis. Most patients seeking care for persistent tendon pain are dealing with tendinopathy rather than true tendinitis, which is why a proper evaluation is essential before beginning treatment.
Tendinitis and tendinopathy most commonly develop from repetitive overuse, sudden increases in training volume or intensity, poor movement mechanics that place uneven stress on the tendon, or inadequate recovery between high demand activities. They affect athletes, active individuals, and people whose work involves repetitive movements or sustained postures that load specific tendons repeatedly over time.
Common presentations include tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow from repetitive arm and wrist movements, Achilles tendinopathy and patellar tendinopathy from running and jumping activities, rotator cuff tendinopathy from overhead work or throwing sports, and wrist tendon conditions from prolonged computer use or manual labor.
What We Treat
We evaluate and treat tendon conditions throughout the body affecting athletes, active individuals, and those with repetitive work demands. The most common presentations we see include:
Tennis elbow: lateral elbow pain from repetitive gripping, typing, or racket sports
Golfer’s elbow: medial elbow pain from repetitive wrist flexion or throwing movements
Achilles tendinopathy: pain and stiffness at the back of the heel, common in runners and jumping athletes
Patellar tendinopathy: pain at the front of the knee below the kneecap, common in jumping and squatting athletes
Rotator cuff tendinopathy: shoulder pain and weakness from overhead activity, throwing sports, or repetitive arm use
Wrist and forearm tendinopathy: pain along the forearm and wrist from prolonged computer use or manual labor
Hamstring tendinopathy: deep buttock or upper thigh pain, common in runners and cyclists
Peroneal tendinopathy: outer ankle pain from running, lateral movements, or ankle instability
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis: pain and swelling at the base of the thumb from repetitive pinching or gripping
Gluteal tendinopathy: outer hip pain that worsens with prolonged sitting or climbing stairs
Our Approach
At Salt Family Chiropractic, every tendon condition begins with a comprehensive evaluation to identify the specific tendon involved, the degree of tissue damage, and the movement mechanics and loading patterns that are contributing to the problem. We assess joint mobility, muscle balance, and biomechanics throughout the full kinetic chain to understand not just where the tendon is being stressed but why it is being stressed. This full picture evaluation is what allows us to build a care plan that addresses both the tissue damage and the underlying causes rather than treating the painful area in isolation.
Based on your evaluation findings, treatment may include soft tissue therapy and myofascial release to address the muscle tightness and fascial restrictions that alter tendon loading, chiropractic adjustments to restore proper joint motion in areas contributing to abnormal tendon stress, and a progressive rehabilitation program designed to systematically load and strengthen the tendon through its full healing process.
For Chronic Tendinopathy
For chronic tendinopathy that has not responded to conservative care alone, shockwave therapy stimulates healing in damaged tendon tissue, improves blood flow, and breaks down scar tissue without injections or surgery. Class IV laser therapy can also be integrated to reduce inflammation and accelerate tissue recovery.
The Salt Difference
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Most tendon treatments focus on the painful area without evaluating why the tendon is under excessive stress in the first place. We assess joint mobility, muscle balance, and biomechanics throughout the full movement chain to identify the underlying mechanical factors driving the tendon problem and address them as part of the recovery plan.
— 02
For patients with stubborn or chronic tendinopathy that has not responded to rest or other conservative treatments, shockwave therapy offers a clinically proven path to recovery. By stimulating the body’s natural healing response in damaged tendon tissue, improving blood flow, and breaking down scar tissue, it can produce meaningful and lasting improvement for conditions that have resisted other approaches.
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Tendon recovery is not one size fits all. The loading demands of a distance runner recovering from Achilles tendinopathy are completely different from those of an office worker managing tennis elbow. We build individualized progressive rehabilitation plans around your specific tendon condition, your activity demands, and your recovery goals to ensure the most complete and durable recovery possible.
Good to Know
What is the difference between tendinitis and tendinopathy?
Can chiropractic care help with tendinopathy?
How long does tendon recovery take?
Should I rest a tendon injury or keep it active?
Can shockwave therapy help my tendon condition?
Can I prevent tendinopathy from coming back?
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Condition
Tendinopathy is one of the most common overuse injuries affecting athletes and active individuals. Learn more about how we evaluate and treat the full range of sports injuries including those involving chronic tendon conditions.
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Service
Shockwave therapy is the most advanced treatment option we offer for chronic tendinopathy. Learn more about how it works, which conditions it helps, and why it is considered the gold standard for stubborn tendon conditions that have not responded to other treatments.
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Condition
Plantar fasciitis shares many characteristics with tendinopathy and often responds to a similar progressive loading and soft tissue approach. Learn more about how we evaluate and treat this common overuse condition of the foot.
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