Tendonitis can bring on a burning sensation, stiffness, swelling, and, above all - difficulty moving your joints, which can massively hinder your quality of life.
It’s one of those conditions that can cause a whole lot of pain and frustration but isn’t commonly spoken about despite how many people suffer from some form of tendinopathy.
Around 30% of all healthcare visits for musculoskeletal conditions (affecting muscles, bones, joints, tendons, and ligaments) affect the tendon.
Whether it’s a case of tennis elbow or jogger’s heel, tendinopathy is said to affect about 2% to 5% of the general population.
Unfortunately though, there isn’t a fix-all surgery or way to overcome tendonitis pain at the click of a finger. But instead of simply putting up with the condition, consider implementing the healing benefits of red light therapy to help manage the pain and get back to your usual day-to-day activities.
What is Tendinopathy?
Tendinopathy refers to any tendon condition that causes swelling and pain, often hindering daily life in the process.
Our tendons are rope-like tissues that connect muscle to bone and are made up of collagen fibers, which provide much-needed flexibility and strength. While they’re durable enough to withstand all the tension placed on our bodies, they’re not invincible.
Factors like overuse, repetitive stress, trauma, or age-related changes can bring on a whole host of injuries or conditions. These causes are why athletes and older individuals are more susceptible to experiencing tendonitis.
How Does Red Light Therapy Help Tendonitis?
Swelling, pain, and stiffness are all symptoms of tendonitis. Red light therapy is used by many worldwide to overcome these very frustrations for a range of injuries and conditions.
It does so by using specific wavelengths of red or near-infrared light to emit photons of light. When this light is applied to the skin, it triggers multiple processes that ultimately help the body to heal faster - providing a natural and non-invasive solution for people seeking pain management and recovery.
Red light involves a release of nitric oxide, which dilates blood vessels, resulting in an increase in circulation to the area. The mitochondria is also stimulated, ramping up energy production and reducing oxidative stress.
Here are the distinct ways in which red light therapy helps tendonitis:
Reduced inflammation - Swelling and inflammation are one of the main symptoms of tendonitis. Red light therapy has anti-inflammatory effects on the body by modulating the activity of immune cells and reducing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Accelerated healing - Red light therapy can speed up the healing process of injured tendons through its production of cellular energy production. By improving this and enhancing blood circulation, more nutrients can be delivered to the injured area - much quicker than if red light wasn’t to be used.
Stimulated collagen production - Collagen is a crucial protein that provides strength and structure in various tissues in our body. When more is produced, this can help the repair and remodeling of damaged tendon tissue. This protein is very beneficial for flexibility in the joint too.
In a study conducted in the USA, involving 65 participants, the use of light-emitting diode phototherapy was analyzed in those injured university athletes. Over a 15-month period, a total of 395 injuries, including sprains, strains, ligament damage, tendonitis, and contusions, were treated.
The average LED-mediated RTP in the 65 subjects was found to be significantly shorter at 9.6 days, compared with the mean anticipated RTP of 19.23 days. A satisfaction survey was also carried out, with 78.5% saying they were either very satisfied or satisfied.
A number of studies have been published citing the benefits of light therapy.
How to Use Red Light Therapy for Tendonitis?
Red light therapy tends to come in the form of a device or panels, the first of which allows you to focus on specific parts of the body - wherever the pain from tendonitis is most prevalent.
The MOVE+ Pro from Kineon is a device based on hundreds of successful trials and can target your tendonitis area directly. The use of both LED lights and medical-grade laser technology can offer targeted relief by increasing blood flow and energy production in the cells of the targeted area.
With our device, you’ll have everything you need to make a difference in your ongoing pain. After all, our customers report an 80% reduction in pain within 1-4 weeks.
When it arrives, make sure it’s fully charged or connected to a power source ahead of usage. Familiarize yourself with the device’s controls and instructions provided in the handy user manual. If you’re unsure at any point, we have an online help desk to assist with any question.
Then, once you’re ready to start treatment, simply bring the strap around the affected area and position the device. Secure the buckle and adjust the strap to fit.
The red light panel, which emits therapeutic light, should be in direct contact with the skin. Check the manual for the recommended therapy time and stay still and relaxed during the session - allowing the device to emit red light therapy to the joint.
Other Treatments for Tendonitis
Many people struggling with tendonitis who have been to a doctor in search of treatment will be familiar with the infamous RICE protocol: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. This is what healthcare professionals have previously ‘prescribed’ for patients with tendonitis, as surgery isn’t always an option.
Aside from RICE, which isn’t always effective - especially for long-term pain management, other treatments for tendonitis typically include:
- Physical therapy
- Application of heat
- Use of a split, sling, or crutches
- Anti-inflammatory medications such as NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
- Corticosteroid injections
- Orthopedic surgery (for the most severe of cases)
Surgery for tendonitis largely depends on which area is affected and usually involves either realigning tendons, removing bone spurs that could be causing pressure, or removing areas of calcium buildup.
Try Red Light Therapy for Tendonitis
Join the thousands of people who have used the MOVE+ to radically relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and stimulate the healing of affected tissues.
Curious to hear from those who have experienced tendonitis? Crossfit Athlete Brooke Wells suffers from the condition and has been using the MOVE+ Pro to help her recovery.
Here’s what she has to say: “I have been using the MOVE+ Pro on anything that starts to hurt. I have tendonitis and have seen huge improvements in my recovery times. For enhancing my recovery, it has been a game-changer.”
Brooke isn’t alone either. Crossfit Games Athlete Emily Rolfe shares the same views: “I had a tendonitis issue all throughout last year. It just wouldn’t go away. Since I have been using the MOVE+ Pro, it is gone. Whether you are a high-level athlete or you want to improve your quality of life, it is worth it to me.”
