Tendinitis & Tendinopathy Treatment in Medina, OH
Tendon pain care is one of the many condition-focused services included in our comprehensive Chiropractic Services approach.
Non-surgical relief for shoulder, elbow, knee, ankle, and foot tendon pain
Tendons are the tough, fibrous tissues that connect your muscles to your bones. When they become overloaded, irritated, or begin to break down, tendon pain can make lifting, gripping, walking, climbing stairs, or playing sports extremely difficult.
At LiteForce Chiropractic in Medina, OH, we provide conservative, non-surgical treatment for tendinitis and tendinopathy affecting the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, ankle, and foot. Our approach combines detailed movement assessment, hands-on care, targeted rehabilitation, and when appropriate, advanced modalities such as laser therapy to help you recover safely and efficiently.
If tendon pain is limiting your work, sport, or daily life, schedule an evaluation today:
What Are Tendinitis and Tendinopathy?
“Tendinitis” refers to inflammation of a tendon, usually after an acute overload or repetitive stress. Classic examples include:
Rotator cuff tendinitis in the shoulder
Tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow
Patellar tendinitis (“jumper’s knee”)
Achilles tendinitis at the back of the ankle
When the tendon is repeatedly stressed without enough recovery, the problem can progress beyond simple inflammation. The tendon fibers themselves start to degenerate and reorganize abnormally. This longer-standing condition is often called tendinosis or, more broadly, tendinopathy.
Typical features of tendinopathy include:
Pain with loading (lifting, pushing, jumping, running, climbing stairs)
Stiffness after rest that may improve with gentle movement
Reduced strength or performance in the affected area
Symptoms that persist for weeks or months if not addressed
Short-term tendinitis and long-term tendinopathy respond best to a structured plan that adjusts load, improves mechanics, and progressively strengthens the tendon.
Common Tendon Conditions We Treat in Medina
Because tendons exist at every major joint in the body, tendon problems can appear in many regions. At LiteForce Chiropractic, we commonly see:
Shoulder (Rotator Cuff Tendinitis / Tendinopathy)
Pain with reaching overhead, lifting, or sleeping on the shoulder.
Ankle and Foot (Achilles Tendinitis, Peroneal Tendinitis)
Pain at the back or outer side of the ankle, often worse with walking, running, or climbing hills.
Elbow (Tennis Elbow / Golfer’s Elbow)
Pain with gripping, lifting, typing, tool use, or sports such as tennis, pickleball, golf, or throwing.
Associated Foot Conditions Such as Plantar Fasciitis
Although technically not a tendon, the plantar fascia behaves like one and often coexists with tendon problems.
Wrist and Forearm Tendon Problems
Pain around the wrist or forearm with repetitive hand use, work tasks, or lifting.
Hip and Gluteal Tendinopathy
Pain on the outside of the hip or buttock, especially when lying on the side or walking uphill.
Knee (Patellar Tendinitis / Jumper’s Knee)
Pain at the front of the knee, especially with jumping, squatting, stairs, or running.
Many patients have more than one involved tendon, or a mix of joint, muscle, and tendon issues. That is why a careful, whole-body evaluation matters.
Why Tendon Problems Develop
Tendons are designed to handle load, but they can fail when the balance between stress and recovery is disrupted. Common drivers include:
Repetitive overuse without enough rest
Sudden spikes in activity
Poor technique or biomechanics
Weakness or imbalance in supporting muscles
Joint stiffness or misalignment altering force transfer
Inadequate footwear or equipment
Systemic factors such as age, metabolic health, or certain medications
Successful treatment must address both the local tendon and the global mechanics and loading pattern, or the problem often recurs.
You should not ignore:
Pain lasting more than 1–2 weeks
Pain that worsens with repeated use
Morning stiffness or startup pain around the tendon
Visible thickening, swelling, or creaking sensations
Loss of strength or function
Pain interfering with work, sport, or daily activity
Sudden, severe pain with a pop, visible deformity, or inability to move or bear weight may indicate a partial or complete tear and requires prompt medical evaluation. If we suspect this, we will refer for imaging or specialist consultation.
When You Should Not Ignore Tendon Pain
Your evaluation is designed to identify which tendon is involved, how irritated it is, and why it became overloaded.
It typically includes:
Detailed history
Palpation of the tendon and surrounding tissues
Range-of-motion testing
Strength testing
Functional movement analysis
Postural and spinal assessment
If your presentation suggests something more serious, we will recommend further medical evaluation and imaging.
How We Evaluate Tendinitis and Tendinopathy at LiteForce Chiropractic
Our Conservative Tendinitis Treatment Approach in Medina
We build an integrated plan that typically combines several components.
1. Load Management and Activity Modification
We help you adjust volume and intensity while staying as active as safely possible.
5. Laser Therapy to Support Tendon Healing (When Appropriate)
In selected cases, we may use laser therapy as an adjunct to reduce pain, improve circulation, and support tissue repair.
2. Manual Therapy and Soft Tissue Treatment
Targeted manual care may include myofascial work, soft-tissue techniques, and joint mobilization.
6. Bracing, Taping, Orthotics, and Equipment Changes
When indicated, we may recommend supports, taping, footwear changes, or orthotics based on the involved tendon and mechanics.
3. Chiropractic Adjustments and Biomechanical Correction
When appropriate, we may adjust the spine/pelvis and involved joints to reduce abnormal strain and support efficient movement.
7. Home Program and Long-Term Prevention
Your plan includes a clear home program to maintain tendon capacity, manage flare-ups, and reduce recurrence risk.
4. Targeted Exercise and Eccentric Loading
Progressive loading and controlled exercises are key components in tendinopathy rehabilitation.
Many facilities emphasize standardized protocols, imaging-first pathways, or invasive options early. Our focus is different:
Conservative, non-surgical care first for most tendon problems
Integrated chiropractic, soft tissue, rehab, and adjunct modalities when appropriate
Whole-body kinetic chain assessment
Clear, transparent patient education
Referral when needed, without delays
How We Differ From Other Tendon Pain Clinics and Hospitals
Imaging or specialist referral may be appropriate when there is:
Sudden severe pain with a pop and immediate loss of function
Visible or palpable defect in the tendon
Inability to bear weight or move the joint
Significant weakness that does not match the pain level
Failure to improve after structured conservative care
If needed, we coordinate with your healthcare providers so you receive the appropriate investigations and options.
Tendinitis vs. Tear: When Is Imaging or Referral Needed?
Frequently Asked Questions About Tendinitis Treatment
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Usually not. We focus on adjusting load, not eliminating movement.
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Acute tendinitis may improve within weeks. Chronic tendinopathy often takes several months of consistent loading and rehab.
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Most tendon problems do not require surgery. We start with conservative care that targets mechanics and load first.
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Yes. Many patients who plateau benefit from a more detailed biomechanical assessment and integrated approach.
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Yes, if the same loading patterns return. Prevention and capacity building matter.
Schedule Your Tendinitis / Tendinopathy Evaluation in Medina, OH
Tendon pain is common, but it does not have to control your work, sport, or daily routine. With a structured, evidence-based plan that adjusts load, restores mechanics, and progressively strengthens the tendon, many patients achieve significant relief and improved function without surgery.
If tendon pain is limiting what you do day-to-day, we are ready to help.
Serving Medina, Montville Township, Brunswick, Sharon Township, Valley City, Hinckley, and surrounding Northeast Ohio communities.