When an inflamed or
irritated tendon, the condition referred to as tendonitis, fails to heal, the
tendon degenerates. This condition is called tendinosis. Tendons are the thick,
fibrous cords that attach muscles to bone. They transmit the power generated
by a muscle contraction to move a bone. Tendinosis usually affects only one part
of the body at a time. Although tendinosis is common in middle or old age as
the tendons becomes more susceptible to injury, younger people who exercise vigorously
as well as people who perform repetitive tasks are also susceptible. |
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| What are the Symptoms of Tendonosis? |
Symptoms are very similar
to tendonitis. The affected tendons are usually painful when moved or touched.
Even a small movement of the joint near the tendon may cause severe pain. Stiffness
and restricted movement in the affected area may also occur. The skin over the
tendon may be warm and red, and sometimes a tender lump may appear. The tendon
sheaths may be visibly swollen from the accumulation of fluid and inflammation,
or they may remain dry and rub against the tendons, causing a grating sensation
or a sound that can be heard with a stethoscope when the joint is moved.
Conventional medical treatments may help relieve the symptoms of tendinosis,
but they do not address the root of the problem. By strengthening structural
weaknesses in the body, as natural medicine treatments like Chiropractic and
nutritional supplements do, pain associated with tendinosis may be alleviated
permanently. |
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| How Does Tendonosis Develop? |
The most common cause
of tendinosis is injury or overuse during work or play, particularly if the individual
is poorly conditioned, has bad posture or uses the affected limb in an awkward
position. If the injured tendon is not allowed to heal properly, degeneration
of the tendon will occur. Occasionally an infection within the tendon sheath
may be responsible for the initial inflammation. Joint diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout,
scleroderma, Reiter’s Syndrome, thyroid diseases and diabetes, can also
affect tendon sheaths.
Tendinosis is also closely linked to ligament laxity. When a tendon is injured
or degenerated, the ligament no longer has dynamic support of the joint. Likewise,
a weakened or lax ligament leads to an unstable joint, which means the tendon
has no static support and would be stressed.
| Natural vs. Modern Medicine's Approach to Tendinosis |
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| Modern Medicine's Approach to Tendinosis |
The typical treatment
regime for tendinosis, the degeneration of a tendon after an injury that was
not allowed to heal properly, is to stop whatever activity involves the affected
joint and rest. Since this condition often afflicts athletes, this means no more
training and no more playing the sport. This treatment is usually followed by
exercise, as well as continued use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
and cortisone injections. The problem with this approach is that it does nothing
to strengthen the weakened tendon and, thus, does not alleviate the chronic pain
that people with this condition experience. While anti-inflammatory drugs and
cortisone shots have been shown to produce short-term pain benefit, they result
in long-term loss of function and even more chronic pain by actually inhibiting
the healing process of soft tissues and accelerating cartilage degeneration.
In addition, the long term use of these drugs can lead to other sources of chronic
pain, allergies and leaky gut syndrome.
Other modern medical treatment options include cryotherapy and massage. But
again, although they may provide pain relief, they do not address the root of
the problem – weakened and/or injured tendons and ligaments. In addition,
when all else fails, patients who experience tendinosis may be referred to a
surgeon. Unfortunately, surgery often makes the problem worse. Surgeons will
use x-ray technology as a diagnostic tool, which does not always properly diagnose
the pain source. In addition, the decision to remove tissue often results in
arthritis. |
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| The Natural Medicine Approach to Tendinosis |
A better approach is
to treat the degenerated tendon with Chiropractic Care and nutritional
supplementation. In addition, treating the ligaments in the affected joint with
Chiropractic can also be very effective. This is because tendons and ligaments
reciprocally affect one another, with the injury of a tendon causing ligament
stress and laxity, and ligament laxity causing further tendon stress.
Chronic
pain is most commonly due to tendon and ligament weakness or cartilage
deterioration. The safest and most effective natural medicine treatment for repairing
tendon, ligament and cartilage damage is Chiropractic. In simple terms, Chiropractic
stimulates the body to repair painful areas. |
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Recommended Products:INFLAMYAR™
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Recommended Services: Chiropractic
Care, Massage Therapy, Physical
Therapy, Rehabilitative Therapies, Living
Well for Life, Auricular Therapy
If you are interested
in more information about natural treatments or to schedule an appointment at
one of our three convenient locations, please contact Central Health and Wellness
at 972-671-5263 or use the online Inquiry Form
Disclaimer:
The preceding is to provide information about relief and the benefits
that may be derived. It is not intended to claim a cure for any disease or condition.
It should not take the place of your doctor’s advice or treatment.
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