tendonitis painTo better understand tendonitis, it helps to know a little about tendons. The tendons are a flexible band of tissue used to connect your muscles to your bones. They are what give our muscles the ability to move our bones, giving our body movement.

When too much stress is placed on the joints, they can tear and become inflamed, according to the American College of Rheumatology. The tissue will repair itself quickly if the damage is slight or happens only occasionally. But the pain can become constant if the damage occurs frequently.
If you are suffering from tendonitis, follow these easy steps to help alleviate your pain:

1. Rest
Tendonitis is often caused from overworking the tendon; so if you are exercising or doing a repetitive motion such as typing, try taking a break for a little while. Sometimes all it takes is a few days of rest to get back to normal.

2. Ice
Try applying an ice pack to the afflicted area. Ice helps to reduce swelling in your tendon and relieve some of the pain. Place some ice in a plastic bag wrapped with a towel, and apply to the affected area for 5 to 20 minutes, several times a day.

3. Take a Pain Reliever
Try an over the counter pain reliever such as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It will temporarily relieve your pain and help reduce the inflammation in your tendon.

4. Wear a Brace or a Sling
In some cases an injured tendon needs to be kept still in order to heal. Try using a sling or brace on your tendon to give it added support. This will also prevent overuse so you don’t accidentally make the injury worse.

5. Seek Professional Help
If at-home treatments and remedies don’t work, give Hampton Roads Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine a call. Tendonitis can be a debilitating and painful condition. In some cases, it may even need medical or surgical intervention to alleviate. At HROSM, we have all the skills and resources to treat your tendonitis. Don’t let pain hold you back! Schedule your appointment today.