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‘living’ With Tendinitis
At last estimate, there are at least 400,000 people, per month living with tendinitis. If this were T.B. we would declare an epidemic! Because tendinitis is intractable, you can’t just ‘kick it to the curb’ like an unpleasant roommate. Tendinitis is responsible for many lost man-hours of work, as well as many pain-filled hours of work. What causes tendinitis? OVER-USE of the muscles and tendons. What are the symptoms of tendinitis? Pain and vague pain usually near a joint. Weakness of the involved body part. Limited movement ability, or painful movement. Hard work is impossible. I had all of these symptoms during my 6 ½ year ordeal with tendinitis in both shoulder and both elbow areas. I couldn’t even lift my cat without experiencing marked pain. I also had my wife open doors for me, to avoid the painful pulling strain. Reaching around to my back, (as in using a bath brush) was painful. Performing push-ups or pull-ups would have been impossible, so I didn’t try them. Performing my chiropractic work was very painful, but I persevered, and as a result felt progressively worse. The various therapies that I tried (cortisone injections, physical therapy, and Rolfing) were helpful, but only temporary. What are the causes of tendinitis? Generally speaking, over-use of the muscles and tendons. Specifically, carpentry work, shoveling, construction work, computer work, electrician work, mason work, drywall installation/hanging, and various sporting activities such as baseball, football, squash, tennis, golf, and rock-climbing. Some antibiotics can also initiate tendinitis such as: Fluorogiunolone antibiotics, brand names Cipro, Floxin, Levaquin, which are prescribed to treat bladder, respiratory and other infections. Also Ciprofloxacin, Enoxacin, Lomefloxacin and Ofloxacin. These drugs can actually cause tendinitis! Certain cholesterol lowering drugs such as Zocor, Lipitor, Baycol. Pravachol. Lescol, and Mevacor can sometimes initiate a condition called Rhabdomyolysis (deterioration of the muscles). This of course, adversely affects the tendons. Now you know why so many thousands of individuals suffer daily with tendinitis! Is there any lasting help available? YES!!! Hands-On chiropractic is very effective in about 10-20% of the cases. One should be totally well, or nearly well within 6 or 7 visits. Physical therapy can accomplish excellent results with many disorders, but NOT WITH TENDINITIS! In fact, P.T. can often make the patient feel worse! As a result, some patients give up hope. Acupuncture can achieve muscle relaxation, which is very good; however, it does not go far enough. It does not include any specific stretching exercises (done daily) to continue that relaxation. Medical treatment usually consists of anti-inflammatory drugs and cortisone injections. Very often this produces temporary help, and if the patient complains long and loud enough, it will result in surgery. Surgery is not necessary unless the tendon is TORN or RUPTURED! If all health professionals would realize that the true root of the tendinitis problem lies in the muscles, then treat the muscles with more and proper rehabilitative effort, much better results with this condition would ensue. But thus far, most health professionals are concentrating their efforts solely on the tendons. To effectively treat tendinitis and bring about lasting results, one must include in the treatment regimen the proper use of heat and cold, specific stretching exercises, (NOT muscle building exercises!) special supplementation, massage, and vibration. There is proper and improper use of all of these procedures! For more information on this and other forms of tendinitis please visit: Dr. Edward Holtman, D.C. Office Phone: 262-673-5650. Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com |
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