What Causes Tendinitis?
Tendinitis is most often caused by repetitive strain, sudden overload, or poor biomechanics. Risk factors include:
- Overuse or repetitive motions (sports, work, hobbies)
- Muscle imbalances or poor joint mechanics
- Improper warm-up or technique
- Age-related tendon degeneration
- Training errors (increased intensity too quickly)
- Weak stabilizing muscles or previous injury
Common Types of Tendinitis
Tendinitis can occur in various regions of the body, including:
- Rotator Cuff Tendinitis – inflammation of shoulder tendons, often from overhead movements
- Biceps Tendinitis – pain in the front of the shoulder or upper arm
- Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis) – outer elbow pain from gripping or lifting
- Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis) – inner elbow pain from wrist flexion
- De Quervain’s Tendinitis – wrist/thumb pain from repetitive hand use
- Patellar Tendinitis (Jumper’s Knee) – pain just below the kneecap
- Achilles Tendinitis – pain in the back of the heel or lower calf
- Gluteal Tendinitis – outer hip pain, often with prolonged sitting or walking
- Tibialis Posterior or Peroneal Tendinitis – inner or outer ankle pain
Symptoms of Tendinitis
Tendinitis symptoms vary by location but often include:
- A dull ache or sharp pain at the tendon site
- Pain that worsens with movement or activity
- Stiffness in the affected joint
- Swelling or warmth over the tendon
- Tenderness when pressing on the area
- Decreased strength or range of motion if untreated
How We Assess Tendinitis
A thorough assessment at Sage Sport Institute will help determine the type, severity, and cause of your tendinitis. Your physiotherapist, athletic therapist, or kinesiologist may assess:
- Tendon tenderness and loading response
- Joint mechanics and flexibility
- Muscle strength and endurance
- Movement patterns contributing to the condition
- Functional tests based on your sport, job, or lifestyle
Treatment Options for Tendinitis
We use an evidence-informed, multi-disciplinary approach to treating tendinitis and promoting long-term recovery.
Manual Therapy
- Hands-on techniques to reduce muscle tension
- Joint mobilizations to improve movement efficiency
- Soft tissue release of surrounding musculature
Targeted Exercise
- Progressive loading of the tendon to stimulate repair
- Eccentric strengthening (particularly effective in tendinopathy)
- Addressing contributing muscle imbalances
- Supervised exercise sessions with athletic therapists or kinesiologists
Modalities & Adjunct Therapies
- Massage therapy to improve circulation and manage muscle tension
- Taping or bracing if required for offloading
- Dry needling or acupuncture (as appropriate)
Education & Prevention
- Load management strategies (how much, how often, how hard)
- Return to sport/work planning with structured progression
- Ergonomic or sport-specific movement coaching
Don’t Wait Until It Becomes Chronic
Tendinitis often starts as a mild ache or stiffness—but when left untreated, it can progress into tendinosis (chronic tendon degeneration), which is more difficult to resolve. Early intervention is key to full recovery and long-term performance.
If you’re dealing with tendon pain in any part of the body, book an appointment today at our Kamloops clinic. Our team will help you get back to moving, performing, and living pain-free.