Tips On Avoiding Tendinitis

Sometimes the aches and pains we have may go away when we begin to exercise. That isn’t necessarily good news. Aches that go away with exercise may signal tendinitis, a recurring problem for many athletes. Tendinitis can take several forms: runners will often get Achilles tendinitis. Baseball players will get tendinitis in the shoulder. For tennis players the elbow is the susceptible joint. Even weightlifters can suffer from biceps tendinitis.

Tendons are strong, fibrous tissues that connect muscle to bone. When the tendon swells and becomes sore we have tendinitis. There are several causes of tendinitis, one of the biggest is overuse of the muscles. Not stretching properly can also cause problems. Flexibility is important in preventing tendinitis. Working out too vigorously can actually cause fibers in the tendon to tear. And wearing the wrong type shoes can cause stretching of the tendon which leads to tendinitis.

Pain and a reduction in the range of motion is a sign of tendinitis. The tendon can become so swollen that it actually makes noise when we move it. Even though continued exercising may make the tendon feel better don’t keep going. Exercise will do much more harm than good. Rest is the first step on the road to recovery. Because tendinitis comes in so many forms it’s a good idea to visit a doctor for proper treatment. Many times there are exercises that will aid in our recovery.

How can we avoid tendinitis? Dr. H. Winter Griffith, in his book “Complete Guide to Sports Injuries,” suggests that the athlete should become well-conditioned before attempting a regular sports program. He also stresses a good warm-up before we play a game or beginning a run. And he suggests that learning the proper techniques for a sport can help avoid injury.