Physical Therapy for Tendonitis in Arm
AT EVOLVE
Physical Therapy for Arm Tendonitis
HOW CAN PHYSICAL THERAPY ADDRESS TENDONITIS OF THE ARM?
Tendonitis of the arm is a musculoskeletal condition resulting in pain, weakness or discomfort in one or more tendons of the upper arm. While many assume rest is the best treatment for a painful tendon, a carefully prescribed exercise program that gradually loads the involved tendon is typically the best approach. Physical therapists are experts in the musculoskeletal system and will create an individualized rehabilitation plan to address your tendonitis symptoms and help you resume the activities you love to do.
WHAT DOES PHYSICAL THERAPY TREATMENT FOR ARM TENDONITIS LOOK LIKE?
Physical therapy treatments for arm tendonitis reduce pain and discomfort in the tendon, improve tendon health and help restore your prior activity level. My team of therapists and I will start by getting to know your concerns and goals and performing a thorough physical exam to determine the extent of your symptoms while identifying other impairments that may have contributed to the development of tendonitis. Next, we will create a treatment plan that might include manual therapy on the tendon itself, modalities and exercises performed in the clinic as well as exercises performed by you in your home as part of a home exercise program.
WHEN WILL I BEGIN TO SEE RESULTS?
With regular attendance and participation in physical therapy, many of our patients begin to experience a reduction in symptoms like pain and stiffness within a few weeks. Because other impairments like muscle weakness, nonoptimal movement patterns or reduced flexibility may have contributed to the development of tendonitis, it often takes longer to address all of the underlying factors. If you have been taking time off from your favorite activities, your therapist will help you resume them in a graded fashion while you continue to address tendon health and other contributing factors. Achieving long-lasting results may take some time, but dedication to your program will not only help you achieve these results but will help to decrease the likelihood of symptoms recurring in the future.
TENDONITIS OF THE ARM?
Tendons are a band of fibrous connective tissue that connect muscles to bones. Tendons have unique properties and serve important functions:
- Tendons help to move our bones and amplify the effect of muscle contractions
- They also play an important role in attenuating and absorbing shock that is transmitted from bone into muscle
- Tendons are strong but they are not designed to stretch or deform easily
- They can become weaker or stronger/stiffer in response to a training stimulus
- Training can make a tendon more prone to or more resilient against, injury.
Tendonitis can affect any tendon in the arm and is often caused by repetitive stress that exceeds the tolerance of the tendon. Causes and contributing factors include ramping up the volume of a new activity too quickly, muscle strength or length impairments, movement pattern inefficiencies and biomechanical errors in the shoulder and arm. Signs and symptoms suggestive of arm tendonitis include:
- Pain over the involved tendon in the arm when the muscle is contracted
- Pain over the involved tendon in the arm when the muscle/tendon is stretched
- Swelling or inflammation over the injured tendon
- Stiffness when moving the shoulder or elbow near the involved tendon
- A feeling of weakness in the arm when contracting the involved muscle
How Long Will Physical Therapy for arm Tendinitis Last?
If you decide to work with a physical therapist to help correct your arm tendonitis issues, your entire treatment plan could consist of around 8-20+ different physical therapy sessions that will each last 60-90 minutes. Once you complete your customized physical therapy treatment plan, you will be able to continue to do the prescribed stretches and exercises utilized during your PT sessions yet in the comfort of your own home.
PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR TENDONITIS IN THE ARM
If you are experiencing persistent arm tendonitis, are stuck in a cycle of taking a break from your activities only to have symptoms return as soon as you ramp back up, it’s time to see a physical therapist. Full rest may benefit the inflamed and acute case of tendonitis but will actually weaken a tendon that has begun to degenerate.
When you come to Evolve Physical Therapy, my team of physical therapists and I will apply the latest evidence on tendon management to help improve the strength and stiffness of the tendon while addressing other contributing factors like muscle weakness, nonoptimal movement patterns, lack of flexibility and training errors. Manual therapy techniques to promote tendon fiber alignment, address scar tissue, mobilize edema and reduce pain are implemented early in your care. We then use a carefully prescribed, graded loading program to build resilience in the tendon and promote healing of the tissues, therefore increasing its ability to withstand the forces placed on it during sport, exercise and everyday activities.
Tendonitis of the arm can certainly put a damper on your favorite activities but physical therapy can help you find a lasting solution. Stop the cycle of rest and repeat and call Evolve Physical Therapy today. Our team of physical therapists is ready to help you heal that tendon and get back to the activities you love.
Mill Basin (located in Harbor Fitness)
6161 Strickland Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11234
Monday: 7am-8pm
Tuesday: 7am-8pm
Wednesday: 8am-5pm
Thursday: 7am-8pm
Friday: 8am-1pm
Park Slope (located in Harbor Fitness)
550 5th Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11215
Monday: 9am-8pm
Tuesday: 8am-6pm
Wednesday: 9am-8pm
Thursday: 8am-6pm
Friday: 8am-3pm
Gravesend
372 Avenue U
Brooklyn, NY 11223
Monday-Thursday: 8am-8pm
Friday: 8am-3pm
Kings Highway
945 Kings Highway
Brooklyn, NY 11223
Monday-Wed.: 12pm-8pm
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PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR ARM TENDONITIS
Need physical therapy for an arm tendinitis?
Let our caring and compassionate physical therapists help you with relieving pain while getting you back on your feet comfortably.
Call now to schedule your first PT consultation free of charge.
Call: 1-718-550-3880