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Massage for Tendinitis


Whether you play tennis or golf, or you spend most of your time filing papers, tendinitis can affect anyone. Tendons are the tissues at the end of muscles that connects muscle to bone. Known for its painful inflammation ('itis' refers to inflammation), scarring of tendons, swelling, and a feeling of weakness, tendinitis can inhibit proper muscle function.

Tendinitis is sometimes confused with or occurs with a condition called 'tendonosis,' a degenerative condition of the tendon, which also causes pain and dysfunction. The most common sites for both are the shoulder, arms, hip, hamstrings and the Achilles tendon. You may experience pain at the site of the injury or pain can be referred, or radiated, to areas distant from the injury.

Pain and Repetitive Actions
Repetitive strain injuries (RSI's) develop from repeated movements and are characterized by pain, stiffness and tissue scarring. They often involve tendons that cannot adapt to forces placed upon them. Unless you've suddenly whacked your tendon, pain and dysfunction usually occur gradually through repeated trauma to the tendon. A thorough assessment will help determine the cause of your specific problem.

Massage therapy for tendinitis 
Massage is very effective in treating both acute and chronic tendon conditions. As a massage therapist, I can draw from my extensive background in clinical anatomy, and years of hands-on assessment and treatment skills. Massage relaxes and lengthens muscle groups in the area of injury and dysfunction thereby helping to ensure that the joint areas above and below the injury site stay relaxed and mobile.

Cross-fiber friction
Cross-fiber friction can reduce pain, and help heal muscles and tendons of the forearm. In cross-fiber friction, pressure is applied crosswise to the affected tissues for 2-5 minutes. The sensation can be numbing and uncomfortable at first, however, any pain should subside within minutes, and your massage therapist should make it a point to work within pain tolerance levels.

Scarring of the tendons means that tissue fibers are laid down randomly, limiting movement. In this case, deep friction is applied across the length of the forearm at the site of the injury. Realigning the tissues with cross-fiber friction often requires a series of treatments and the goal here is to reduce and mobilize areas of scar-like tissue, reduce pain, improve the overall function of the tendon, and restore muscle length and strength.

The point is this: you don’t have to suffer pain from tendinitis. I would be happy to discuss your therapy options and develop a treatment plan made just for you. Call, comment, or book your treatment session with me online. I look forward to helping!

As always – Enjoy Your Life!

John Aaron Villarreal


Bio: I am a Houston based, male massage therapist and wellness coach specializing in pain management and health programs for individuals over the age of forty. I laugh - a lot. I'm quirky but sincere. And, while I'm not a counselor, I do listen and I do care: Except for the times that I don't. That’s a joke - Did I mention that I like to laugh? Anyway, visit my website, call or email me and let's get together to talk about you, and the many ways to live life better!

The Legal Stuff: I write to inform, inspire and encourage my readers to enjoy all that life has to offer.
The content and information on this site is not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease.
Please consult your physician prior to starting any exercise, diet or wellness program. 

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