Tendinitis

Tendinitis is a general term commonly used for pain arising from a tendon, the fibrous tissue that connects muscle to bone. In modern musculoskeletal care, clinicians often use the broader term tendinopathy, because many longer-lasting tendon problems involve a mix of overload, failed healing, collagen disorganization, and pain sensitization rather than classic short-term inflammation alone. Common sites include the shoulder rotator cuff, elbow, patellar tendon, Achilles tendon, and wrist. Symptoms often include activity-related pain, local tenderness, stiffness, and reduced tolerance for gripping, lifting, running, or repetitive motion.

Treatment options vary because tendon pain behaves differently depending on location, duration, severity, and the mechanical demands placed on the tissue. Early flare-ups may respond to load reduction and symptom relief, while persistent cases often improve more from a structured tendon-loading program than from passive treatments alone. Western care tends to emphasize diagnosis, graded rehabilitation, pain control, and selected procedures for resistant cases. Eastern and integrative approaches, such as acupuncture and manual bodywork, are often used to help with pain, surrounding muscle tension, and function. In many cases, the most practical strategy is not choosing one tradition over the other, but understanding which tools may fit the stage of the condition and the person’s goals.