Pain in your knee during or after a run? Pain in your shoulder when sleeping on it or when pushing weights over your head? Pain in the heel or sole of your foot when taking your first few steps out of bed? You could be suffering from tendonitis…
Tendonitis, also known as tendinopathy, is a chronic inflammatory injury that many active people will experience to some degree during their lifetime. A tendon is a linear structure that attaches muscles to bone and assists in moving them as the muscles contract and relax. Excessive use of tendons over a period of time and usually combined with high impact activity can lead to chronic inflammation known more commonly as tendonitis, examples of these include:
- Achilles Tendonitis (calf)
- Patella Tendonitis (knee)
- Tennis & Golfers Elbow
- Shoulder Tendonitis
- Plantar Fasciitis (heel)
In some incidences tendonitis can resolve over time usually when the affected individual rests. In most cases where the injured tendon continues to be exercised the condition will worsen and scar tissue will begin to form within the structure. Another complication of chronic tendonitis is where the inflammatory cells being sent to the site start to break down healthy cells and causing more damage.
How is it Treated?
Historically tendinitis and tendinopathy has been treated with rest, anti inflammatory medication and a course of rehab from an osteopath or physiotherapist. In recent years new forms of treatment such as laser therapy and steroid injections injections have been introduced which have also been effective. The newest treatment gaining popularity for a number of reasons is shockwave therapy. Shockwave uses focused pressure waves to:
- Breakdown scar tissue.
- Encourage the growth of new blood vessels (angiogenesis).
- Turn chronic inflammation back to acute inflammation.
Shockwave therapy is commonly recommended weekly over a course of 4 weeks but can sometimes require 1-2 more sessions in serious cases. The healing process may last a further 4 weeks to 6 months after the last session providing that the tendon isn’t re-aggravated.
For more information, Freedom Care Clinics are offering an exclusive discounted treatment package, with a saving of up to £100, to enable you to experience Shockwave therapy.
Original price of assessment + 4 individual treatment sessions: £356.
*Offer price of assessment + 4 treatment sessions: £256 (SAVE £100)
* available until 31st October.
Call the clinic on 0113 3455060 and quote shockwave offer for more information.
Blog Author: Daniel Stott, Registered Osteopath at Freedom Care Clinics.
