Tendon Rehabilitation
Traditional Physical Therapy Does Not Make Tendons Better.
Our clinic has stayed on top of the latest research for tendon injury rehab. And the research is clear: A Physical Therapy program focused on progressive loading shows the best outcomes when recovering from tendinopathy (more commonly known as tendonitis).
Here’s how we do it:
- We find the movement pattern or isolated activity that has added excessive load to that tendon.
- We then teach you to move in favorable tendon positions (usually that tendon will end up in a shortened position with increased muscle tension – both of which the tendon needs to get stronger)
- Then we progressively load the tendon in its optimal position.
Any large dynamic, explosive movements place a ton of load on tendons. From dunking a basketball, to throwing a baseball, athletes need power to compete. Tendons work like a stretched rubber band, which stores energy to make these dynamic movements possible. With tendinopathies, athletes lose their edge – their ability to produce explosive force.
Why does this happen? Usually it’s a training error – an abrupt increase in dynamic activity after a period of relative inactivity. The tendon simply wasn’t conditioned to take the amount of load required, and the muscle wasn’t strong enough to keep the tendon out of a compromised position. So, the tendon tissue actually becomes weaker.
Tendon compression and muscle weakness can also play a role in tendinopathy. Certain postures increase pressure tendons, so having a therapist adjust your posture for optimal efficiency makes a huge difference in healing. When the muscle attached to the tendon is weak, the tendon is prone to compression, nor can the tendon store energy as well. The whole muscular chain is compromised.
If you are recovering from a tendon injury – you are in it for the long haul. Tendons have a slow metabolism and take 12 weeks to build tissue strength. That doesn’t mean you will be in pain that long, as you can manage a tendinopathy as it heals.
Getting back to your sport after tendon injuries requires a therapist who is keenly aware of how to advance exercises at just the right pace. A physical therapist who understands the physiology and the biomechanics of tendon healing will get you back to full activity as quickly and safely as possible. Your tendons are in good hands at ALTA.