How to Use Massage Therapy for Tendonitis

Tedonitis, or the inflammation of a tendon, is most commonly caused by repetitive work and overuse. Symptoms of tendonitis may begin as a mild ache in the joint and muscles surrounding a tending and can elevate to burning sensations, swelling and lack of mobility. While treatments range from rest and ice to physical therapy, use of massage can help to heal and prevent future cases of tendonitis.

Instructions

1. Use self-massage for tendonitis if you are able to reach and work the affected area without causing excess stress or pain anywhere in your body. If you cannot thoroughly work the tendon on your own, you are better off getting professional assistance from a massage therapist. Regardless of other forms of treatment, the use of friction massage will help to reduce tension and stimulate collagen production, promoting the fastest possible recovery.

2. Place the meaty part of your fingers or thumb on the affected tendon and work back and forth across the fibers, using a comfortable pace and working as deeply as is comfortable. Make sure that you work across the tendon and not up and down the fibers. This technique should cause slight discomfort, but not severe pain. If use of even mild pressure is too painful, wait a day or two for the acute injury to pass.

3. Continue massaging the tendon for up to 3 minutes, stopping if it becomes painful. After treatment, you should feel significant relief; however, if your symptoms become worse, see a doctor as there may be a more serious problem than just tendonitis. Use massage up to 3 times daily, but for no more than 3 minutes each time.

4. Flush fluids and toxins from the area while promoting healing and relieving pain by applying ice to the tendon immediately following the massage. Simply rub an ice cube gently over the area just until it becomes numb or a maximum of 2 minutes