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What exercises can I do for tendonitis?

Author

Sarah Smith

Published Jan 11, 2026

If your healthcare provider gives you the OK, start exercising to strengthen the muscles around the sore joint within a day or two. Start with a long warm-up to reduce shock to the tissues. Then try lifting light weights or working with an elastic exercise band.

What exercise is good for tendonitis?

Place your forearm on a table, with your hand and affected wrist extended beyond the table, palm down. Bend your wrist to move your hand upward and allow your hand to close into a fist, then lower your hand and allow your fingers to relax. Hold each position for about 6 seconds. Repeat 8 to 12 times.

What is the fastest way to get rid of tendonitis?

To treat tendinitis at home, R.I.C.E. is the acronym to remember — rest, ice, compression and elevation.
...
This treatment can help speed your recovery and help prevent further problems.

  1. Rest. Avoid activities that increase the pain or swelling. ...
  2. Ice. ...
  3. Compression. ...
  4. Elevation.

Does tendonitis go away with exercise?

4) Exercise is the most evidence based treatment for tendinopathy – tendons need to be loaded progressively so that they can develop greater tolerance to the loads that an individual needs to endure in their day-to-day life. In a vast majority of cases tendinopathy will not improve without this vital load stimulus.

Is walking good for tendonitis?

Walking can also be used to restore tendon capacity, but this has to be alongside your strength training programme, not as the only activity.

34 related questions found

What triggers tendonitis?

The cause of tendonitis and tenosynovitis is often not known. They may be caused by strain, overuse, injury, or too much exercise. Tendonitis may also be related to a disease such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or infection.

What happens if tendonitis goes untreated?

If tendonitis is left untreated, you could develop chronic tendonitis, a tendon rupture (a complete tear of the tendon), or tendonosis (which is degenerative). Chronic tendonitis can cause the tendon to degenerate and weaken over time.

Why is tendonitis so painful?

Tendinitis is a condition where the connective tissues between your muscles and bones (tendons) become inflamed. Often caused by repetitive activities, tendinitis can be painful. It commonly happens in the elbow, knee, shoulder, hip, Achilles tendon and base of the thumb.

What cream is good for tendonitis?

What is the best cream for tendonitis? Mild tendonitis pain can be effectively managed with topical NSAID creams such as Myoflex or Aspercreme.

Is tendonitis a form of arthritis?

Does Arthritis Cause Tendonitis — and Vice Versa? In a word, no. Although both involve inflammation — arthritis is joint inflammation and tendonitis is inflammation of a tendon — having one doesn't directly cause you to develop the other. That said, these conditions sometimes overlap.

Does stretching make tendonitis worse?

The more severe the tendinopathy, the less likely stretching would help. In fact, stretching results in further compression of the tendon at the irritation point, which actually worsens the pain.

Should I massage tendonitis?

No matter the cause of your tendonitis, massage can help prevent this irritating and painful problem. Regular therapy appointments help to loosen tissues and keep them from clogging muscle fibers.

Why does tendonitis hurt more at night?

For those with tendonitis, a variety of factors can cause more pain at night, including decreased blood flow to the area, effects of gravity, and overuse during the day.

Will stretching help tendonitis?

Does Stretching Help Tendonitis? Quick answer, stretching certainly can help decrease the resting tension of the inflamed or degenerative tendon. It is important to note that you need to make sure that your injury is indeed tendonitis. Stretching is not indicated for tendon tears or ruptures.

How do you strengthen joints and tendons?

How to Strengthen Your Joints

  1. Exercise Regularly. Exercise improves bone density and keeps the muscles that surround your joints strong, says A. ...
  2. Build Muscle Strength. ...
  3. Strengthen Your Core. ...
  4. Try Low-Impact Cardio. ...
  5. Stretch After Your Workout. ...
  6. Prevent Exercise-Related Injury. ...
  7. Lose Extra Weight.

Is heat or cold better for tendonitis?

Heat may be more helpful for chronic tendon pain, often called tendinopathy or tendinosis. Heat can increase blood flow, which may help promote healing of the tendon. Heat also relaxes muscles, which can relieve pain.

How long does it take for tendonitis to go away?

Most damage heals in about two to four weeks, but chronic tendinitis can take more than six weeks, often because the sufferer doesn't give the tendon time to heal. In chronic cases, there may be restriction of motion of the joint due to scarring or narrowing of the sheath of tissue that surrounds the tendon.

Is Voltaren gel good for tendonitis?

Voltaren Emulgel is used to treat pain and inflammation of muscles, joints, tendons and ligaments, due to sprains and strains, sports injuries (eg. tennis elbow) and soft tissue rheumatism (eg. bursitis; tendinitis).

Does tendonitis get worse before it gets better?

Movement or mild exercise of the joint usually reduces the stiffness. But a tendon injury typically gets worse if the affected tendon is not allowed to rest and heal.

Does tendonitis show up on xray?

The diagnostic imaging scan that is most often ordered by a doctor if the doctor suspects tendonitis is usually an X-ray.

How do you calm an inflamed tendon?

Treating tendonitis

Apply ice packs. Compress the area with an elastic bandage to ease soreness and inflammation. Keep the joint elevated. Your healthcare provider may recommend taking over-the-counter pain relievers such as aspirin (in adults), naproxen, or ibuprofen.

Is tendonitis a permanent condition?

Tendinitis may go away over time. If not, the doctor will recommend treatments to reduce pain and inflammation and preserve mobility. Severe symptoms may require specialized treatment from a rheumatologist, an orthopaedic surgeon or a physical therapist.

Will cortisone cream help tendonitis?

Almost any painful muscle, tendon, bone or joint problem and many nerve conditions can be treated with cortisone. Some common conditions include: Tendonitis. Rotator cuff tendonitis of the shoulder.

Can tendonitis make it hard to walk?

Tendonitis is common, and the pain it causes can force you off your feet. Pain can make walking and standing impossible, and severe cases can cause instability and decreased mobility.

Can doctors do anything for tendonitis?

Often, you can find relief from tendonitis symptoms – including pain and tenderness – using conservative therapies like rest, medication or physical therapy. In rare cases, when the tendonitis is severe, we may treat tendonitis with surgery.