Osteopathy for Tendonitis

Tendonitis - inflammation of a tendon - is often treated with osteopathy. Tendons are the bands of strong connective tissue that attach muscle to bone. Tendonitis is a common so-called “repetitive strain injury” that results from overuse of a tendon. The repeated straining of a tendon causes small tears, which lead to inflammation. Osteopathy focuses on the musculoskeletal system - the nerves, muscles, and bones that form the structure of the body - and combines conventional medical practices with specific osteopathic techniques. For this reason, osteopathy is particularly well-suited for the treatment of tendonitis.

Symptoms of Tendonitis Include:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Stiffness or restricted mobility of the joint
• Muscle weakness

What Types of Tendonitis Are Treated with Osteopathy?

Osteopathy is used to treat tendonitis of the:

• Rotator cuff
• Biceps
• Elbow
• Wrist
• Hand
• Hip
• Knee
• Shin
• Achilles tendon of the heel

How Does Osteopathy Treat Tendonitis?

Osteopathy utilizes gentle hand motions to detect restricted movement and tension throughout the body, identify sources of pain, and locate areas of injury or impaired function. The osteopathic physician will also take a medical history, perform a physical examination, and perhaps take x-rays before proposing a treatment program.

Osteopathy for tendonitis usually involves resting the injured tendon to promote healing and perhaps applying ice to reduce inflammation. However, since tendonitis often involves tendons that are used in a person’s occupation, additional osteopathy treatment may involve:

• Strengthening exercises
• Stretching exercises
• Weight-loss advice
• Advice on protecting the tendon from overuse and stress
• Injections with corticosteroids
• Ultrasound treatments
• Immobilization of the affected joint
• Surgery to repair the tendon
• Osteopathic manipulation techniques

Osteopathic Manipulation Techniques (OMTs)

Osteopathic Manipulation Techniques (OMTs) are noninvasive techniques for manipulating and adjusting the muscles, ligaments, and bones to relieve and prevent tendonitis.

The goals of OMTs are:

• Stretching the muscles and supporting ligaments
• Relaxing muscle spasms
• Promoting free movement of the musculo-skeletal system
• Improving blood flow and drainage throughout the body

OMTs for tendonitis may include:

• Massage
• Gentle release techniques
• Soft tissue and muscle stretching
• Rhythmic, passive joint mobilization
• Joint manipulation

Joint mobilization involves slow or low-velocity movements within or at the limit of the joint’s range-of-motion. Joint manipulation usually involves high-velocity thrusts to a joint, moving it beyond its restricted range-of-motion. Direct Osteopathic Manipulation Techniques (OMTs) move the painful tissues toward the area of tightness or restricted movement. Indirect OMTs push the tight tissue away from the area of restricted movement, in the opposite direction of the muscle’s resistance. The tissue is held there until the muscle relaxes.

Is Osteopathy for Tendonitis Effective?

Since tendonitis often involves tendons that must be used on a daily basis, osteopathy can help individuals resume their daily activities sooner. Osteopathy can sometimes effectively treat tendonitis in just a few sessions. Sometimes it requires a lengthy series of treatments, particularly if the body has adapted to the repetitive activity.

How Does Osteopathy Treat Achilles Tendonitis?

Achilles tendonitis or tendonosis, a painful swelling of the Achilles tendon of the heel, is the most common type of tendonitis that is treated with osteopathy. The Achilles tendon is the largest and strongest tendon in the body. It connects the leg muscles to the foot. Achilles tendonitis is a common overuse injury, especially in athletes, and it does not respond well to anti-inflammatory medications.

Osteopathy for Achilles tendonitis usually involves:

• Rest or switching to another exercise such as swimming that does not stress the tendon
• Devices such as a heel pad or shoe insert that supports the muscle and relieves stress on the tendon
• Massage
• Stretching
• Exercises to strengthen the weak muscles in the front of the leg and the upward foot flexors
• Ultrasound or laser treatments
• Osteopathic Manipulation Techniques (OMTs)

Is Osteopathy for Tendonitis Safe?

Serious complications from osteopathy are rare. Osteopathic Manipulation Techniques (OMTs) occasionally result in a temporary increase in soreness or pain that usually disappears within one day.

Osteopathic manipulations should not be used on patients with:

• Broken or dislocated bones
• Damaged ligaments
• Bone or joint infection
• Bone cancer
• Osteoporosis

Osteopathy is usually not recommended for patients who have undergone recent joint surgery or are taking blood-thinning medications such as aspirin or warfarin (Coumadin).

Additional Resources
Osteopaths Guide offers additional information on the treatment of tennis elbow.