Differences Between Tendon, Muscle, and Ligament
Tendons are sources of pain and decreased mobility for millions of spine and joint patients. Ligaments, tendons, and muscles are collectively referred to as soft tissues. The chiropractic care you get in our centers concentrates on tendons as much as it does on muscles, ligaments, and joints. Their clinical importance is significant. In a short while, we will go over the ten things you need to know about tendon pain, but first let’s go over the differences between tendons, ligaments, and muscles.
A tendon is a sturdy, elastic fibrous band of connective tissue at each end of a muscle. Tendons connect muscles to bones. On the other hand, ligaments attach or connect bones, forming joints. Ligaments are also flexible structures, but their elasticity is not as good as a tendon’s elasticity. Of course, muscles have the highest level of flexibility. The fundamental difference between tendons and ligaments is that tendons serve to move bones or structures it attaches to, while ligaments provide stability to the tow connecting bones.
Bed Rest and Tendonitis Pain Recovery as Described by our Chiro
The common saying of “use-it-or-lose-it,” applies to tendons as much as it pertains to muscles. Bed rest, as recommended by so many, often led to more issues. When you rest entirely and avoid the use of muscles and tendon, they weaken. Therefore, in our center, our Chiros do not revert to this outdated method of pain management. We take steps to fix the root-cause so that you can return to an active life as soon as possible.
Which is Better: Passive and General Treatment of Tendonitis and Tendinopathy?
Another key difference between our Chiropractors and others is the passive and active therapy you get. Passive treatments are limited, and as such, patients recover much slower. Even if when recovery is accomplished, reinjures occurs. General treatments and those that do not efficiently target the actual cause may make you feel better, but in the long term; your recovery will be limited. So, avoid procedures that do not target or address the actual cause. Seek centers and professionals that have the skills, knowledge, and technology to solve all underlying issues efficiently. In our centers, the care you get will increase your tendons, muscles or ligament’s ability to heal faster.
Should you Opt for Steroid Injections?
Aside from being painful, steroid injections are relatively short-lived. In fact, some may even get more pain than relief! And, there are those that have serious and even life-threatening complications. Injection of substances into a tendon has not been shown to be effective in clinical trials. In fact, steroidal injections can lead to additional or hidden damages that surface later. So, avoid the needle, don’t cover your problem with chemicals, and fix them. Let our Chiro help. In our centers, we combine passive and active therapies to give you the best chance for a complete recovery. Avoid chemical injections into soft tissue as they will cause further damage. Call us today and discover treatment options superior to medication and injection.
Ignoring or Neglecting the Pain of Tendonitis or Tendinopathy
Don’t eve ignore pain! If your car’s engine started knocking, would you ignore it? Then, why treat your body differently than a car that can easily be replaced? Neglect of minor health issues are the leading causes of disability. Also, ignoring a small issue is the common reason for surgery later. Don’t fall into this category. Fix problems before they become huge.
Our advice: get targeted care from us. Listen to the instruction and restrictions provided by our clinical Chiro teams. Most important, maintain the recommended treatment plan. It is just that simple.
Should you opt for aggressive or intensive stretching and exercises for your tendonitis or tendinopathy?
Some centers treat tendon issues through aggressive exercises and stretching techniques. Excessive or aggravate stretching and exercises of damages soft tissues (ligaments, tendons, and muscles) can in-fact cause further injury. Here is why:
When you overly stretch, you add additional loads to your tendons, muscles or ligaments. Also, if you are an active sportsperson, you should be careful not to place excessive demands on tendons, muscles, and ligaments. Pushing hard through workouts and athletic activities puts additional compressive forces on the soft tissues (ligaments, tendons, and muscles). Excessive loads as experienced in athletic events can be harmful, especially when the tendon or muscle is at its maximum length. Injuries, damage, and tears often occur when tendons and muscles are loaded with more than they can handle. In our centers, an expert clinical team of Chiropractors and Physiotherapists will evaluate you thoroughly before initiating any therapy or stretching, and strengthen activities. Before starting a stretching or an exercise program, visit us to learn the do’s from the don’ts.
Is Massage Therapy good for Tendonitis or Tendinopathy?
Massage therapy a time-honored profession. However, most centers in Malaysia provide massage therapy through unskilled or poorly trained therapists. To benefit from massage therapy, it must be targeted and rendered through skillful hands of a properly trained and certified therapists. Massage for relaxation and massage for tendon repair and healing are quite different. Massage therapy for damaged tissue or tissues in need of repair should only be performed by physiotherapists. Chiropractic Specialty Center® has the best clinical teams in physiotherapy. Physiotherapists that provide this service often refer to it as manual therapy, myofascial release or trigger point therapy.
A tendon that is painful is tendon in need of fixing needs targeted methods of care (myofascial therapy, manual therapy or trigger point therapy). In other words, it must be focused and tissue-specific. To conclude, avoid random massage therapy center as they can worsen a tendon issue. You wouldn’t take your care to a poorly educated mechanic, why would you get therapy from a message center when you can have clinical chiropractic care?
Tendinopathy and Tendonitis can Lead to Tears or Ruptures
Tendon rupture can result in prolonged tendon issues, ignored or missed tendinopathy. It is common to have a tendon disorder and not feel pain. Some with a tendon disorder never experience pain. In fact, the majority of those that rupture a tendon or muscle tears did not have any previous symptoms. If you happen to be one of these extraordinary individuals, visit us as soon as symptoms appear and learn about your non-surgical treatment options.
Avid Taking shortcuts or going to Quick Fixes
Life teaches us that shortcuts are often more challenging than the straightforward routes. But, in a ligament, muscle and tendon care; shortcuts, and quick fixes usually end with disastrous outcomes. In the field of spine and joint care, there are no shortcuts. Anyone who tells you otherwise clearly does not understand soft tissue injury or repair. Don’t listen to the inexperienced, and avoid centers, and avoid those promising quick fixes.
Not understanding the impact of loads and weights placed on Tendons, Muscles, and Ligaments.
Putting excessive loads or stressing tendons, muscles or ligaments can lead to excessive damage and prolong your recovery. Your soft tissues (ligaments, muscles, and tendons) are like springs. In other words, they change shape and size depending on activity or stresses placed on them. Extreme changes occur when you are jumping or changing direction during a sprint or when jogging at a fast pace. Why is this important? Well, knowing this should help you understand why you need to take to it easy when injured. So, to avoid further injury, start slowly, avoid fast pace activities, and use lighter weights during your exercise programs.
What should you do if you have Tendonitis or Muscle Injury?
Take care of your body and avoid the neglect of minor injuries. And when seeking professional care, make sure the center you visit is the best center in your city. Even if you have to travel a bit, do so. Your future health and wellbeing depend on the complete recovery of all root-causes. Far too often, we get patients that have sought care from the unlearned or the inexperienced. Do your homework, find the best that you can, and continue with the regiment they prescribe. If you live in Malaysia, visit a Chiropractic Specialty Center® near you. We have the best non-surgical teams of Chiropractors and physical therapists for ligament, tendon and muscle injury.