I read an interesting article in The Physician and Sports Medicine which is relevant to those of us with swimmer's shoulder. Apparently the term chronic tendinitis is a misnomer in that there is very little inflammation in this condition; the preferred term is tendinosis (or tendinopathy). The cause is thought to be repetitive activity and microtrauma (as well as age related tendon degeneration).
Why is this distinction important? If it is not an inflammatory condition, antiinflammatory drugs are not necessary and may be detrimental by interfering with the healing process. Tylenol may be preferable as an analgesic (and has fewer side effects). Also recommended: (relative) rest, since tendons require more time to heal and the repair process needs to keep pace with the microinjuries, and strengthening exercises (added later) as these seem to accelerate and optimize the repair process.
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Former Member
My sports doc told me recently, tendons take longer to heal because they have a lesser blood supply, as compared to the muscles. (if I remember correctly) I think he said about twice as long. So, if you have muscle soreness 2-4 days, your tendons will hurt 4-8 days.
In addition to analgesic, he recommended deep tissue massage, and hot/cold compresses. Both are supposed to promote circulation, and speed up the tendon healing process.
He also recommended pilates and isometrics to strenghten the tendons and small muscles, after they heal up, so they can keep up with the pulling and tearing that the bigger stronger muscles can cause. Told me that one of big causes of tendon strain (other than disease) is unbalanced muscle development.
My sports doc told me recently, tendons take longer to heal because they have a lesser blood supply, as compared to the muscles. (if I remember correctly) I think he said about twice as long. So, if you have muscle soreness 2-4 days, your tendons will hurt 4-8 days.
In addition to analgesic, he recommended deep tissue massage, and hot/cold compresses. Both are supposed to promote circulation, and speed up the tendon healing process.
He also recommended pilates and isometrics to strenghten the tendons and small muscles, after they heal up, so they can keep up with the pulling and tearing that the bigger stronger muscles can cause. Told me that one of big causes of tendon strain (other than disease) is unbalanced muscle development.
