Tendonitis: the injury that happens behind a computer

What is Tendonitis?

It is the inflammation of the soft tissue specifically the muscle that connects to the bone.

What are the most common types of tendonitis?

Tennis Elbow
Golfer’s Elbow
Achilles Tendinitis
De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
Swimmer’s Shoulder
Patella Tendinitis
Tendinitis of the Wrist

Why does Tendonitis occur?

It occurs when extra strain is placed on a joint, bone and muscle either slowly and respectively over time or all at once in a more traumatic injury way. It usually occurs in people over age 40 due to the decrease of the tendon’s ability to tolerate stress.

What are the common causes of tendonitis?

Gardening
Raking
Working on a computer for greater than 4 hours a day
Cleaning
Tennis
Golf
Throwing or pitching
Scrubbing
Incorrect Posture
Joint misalignment or abnormal joint length
Doing to much too soon on a tendon that isn’t used to a particular type of movement. (Weekend Warrior)
Occasionally due to infections
Inflammatory diseases like gout, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis

What are the symptoms of tendonitis?

Pain and loss of motion are the most common symptoms. Pain usually starts localized on the spot where the muscle attaches to the tendon and can radiate to other areas. The pain can either build up slowly or come on suddenly and severely.

How is tendonitis treated?

Rest the injured area
Ice the injured area
Seek chiropractic care – usually treated by adjusting the joint then performing the Graston Technique and cross fractionating the tendon.
Anti-inflammatory botanical medicine or over-the-counter anti-inflammatories (these can be topical or oral).
Corticosteroids injections are sometimes necessary.
In very rare cases surgery is necessary.