What is a tendon overuse injury?

Most tendon pain that shows up gradually — rather than from one obvious injury — isn't really “inflammation” in the way people usually picture it. It's more often a slow breakdown in the tendon's structure from repeated stress that hasn't had enough time to recover between bouts of activity. That distinction matters, because it changes the treatment: rest alone rarely fixes it. These injuries typically need a structured loading and rehab program to actually heal, not just time off.

How we treat overuse tendon injuries?

Treatment usually combines manual therapy with a progressive loading and exercise program. For tendon injuries that have been stuck for months and haven't responded to conservative care, Shockwave Treatments is often the turning point.

Conditions we treat

 

Plantar Fasciitis

Pain along the bottom of the foot, usually worst with the first steps in the morning or after sitting for a while. It's one of the most common causes of heel pain we see, and it responds well to a combination of stretching, load management, and shockwave therapy in more stubborn cases.

 

Achilles Tendinopathy

Pain and stiffness in the Achilles tendon, often worse after periods of rest and easing slightly — but not fully — with activity. Common in runners and anyone who's recently increased their training volume too quickly.

 

Patella Tendinopathy & Osgood-Schlatter Disease

Pain at the front of the knee, just below the kneecap. In younger, still-growing athletes this is often Osgood-Schlatter disease rather than true tendinopathy — a distinction that changes how we approach treatment.

 

Hamstring Tendinopathy

Deep pain at the sit bone or upper hamstring, often aggravated by sitting for long periods or by sprinting and lunging movements.

 

Calcific Tendinitis of the Shoulder

A build-up of calcium deposits within the rotator cuff tendon, which can cause anything from a dull ache to sudden, sharp shoulder pain.

 

Trochanteric Bursitis & Gluteal Tendinopathy

Pain on the outside of the hip, often mistaken for a hip joint problem. Common in runners and in people who spend a lot of time on their feet.

 

Osteitis Pubis

Pain at the front of the pelvis, most often seen in athletes involved in kicking or sprinting sports.

What to expect at your visit?

We'll assess how the tendon has been loaded over time — not just where it hurts — since that history usually explains why the injury developed and what needs to change to resolve it. From there, we'll build a plan that may include manual therapy, a specific loading program, and shockwave therapy if the injury has been present for a while.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tendon injuries often flare up again when activity increases faster than the tendon can adapt. A properly progressed loading program is usually the missing piece, not just more rest.

Longer than most people expect — tendon tissue heals slowly, and a realistic timeline is often 6–12 weeks, sometimes longer for chronic cases.

Source: According to Mayo Clinic, plantar fasciitis and related overuse injuries typically respond well to structured conservative treatment.

Take the next step.

Our Scott Road clinic welcomes patients from GuildfordNewtonScott Road, and North Delta for personalized occupational therapy focused on their individual functional goals. Book online or call 778-590-4243.

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