Weight Lifting and Tendinitis: a Mix You Can Avoid

Whenever someone starts lifting weights, and they haven’t been lifting in some time, there is certainly going to be some soreness involved. The muscles have not had to bear the types of loads that people put on them when they are lifting weight, even if the weight is relatively light. However, while some muscle soreness is inevitable, one has to be careful that they do not mistake common soreness for a serious pain that indicates an injury. For many people who lift, including those who are new, as well as veteran lifters, there is a chance to develop pain and inflammation of the joints, or tendinitis.

When untreated, bursitis and tendonitis can lead to surgery. However, with the proper care and attention early, it may be possible to negate the need for surgery. With proper techniques, it is also possible to reduce the chance of developing tendinitis from lifting almost completely.

What Happens with Tendonitis?

Tendons are what connect your muscles to the bone. The repetitive motion of lifting weights can be troublesome for the body, as it can cause the tendons to tighten over time, and this makes the possibility of tearing more likely. The tears are often microscopic, but that does not mean that they are not painful. The tears cause inflammation, which is tendinitis. Repetitive stress is a huge cause of this type of injury, and it is something that weight lifters must contend with often. Even those who do not lift for bodybuilding could develop it through regular weight training for another sport or even just when getting into better shape.

The Grades of Tendinitis

Tendinitis has four different grades – Grade 1 –

Grade 4. Mild pain would be Grade 1, and Grade 2 tendinitis can often

be difficult to differentiate between soreness and actual pain from tendinitis. Those who are lifting will usually feel pain at the tendon site when they first start. While they are exercising, the pain will disappear, but it will return later. Many people do not realize this is tendinitis because the pain is not too severe. With Grade 3, you are going to see swelling in the area of the tendon, and this could restrict your freedom of movement. At Grade 4 tendinitis, the pain becomes severe, even in everyday activities.

Avoiding Tendinitis

The best treatment is prevention. Proper warm ups and stretching before and after a workout is essential to help maintain a healthy body and avoid tendinitis and bursitis. Try to stretch in a manner that utilizes the same muscles and motions that you are going to use throughout your actual workout. This gets the body ready to lift. Learning the proper lifting techniques is also going to be essential if you hope to remain injury free.

Treatment for those who are already suffering from tendinitis is possible, too. With the early Grades, some rest and recuperation time is often enough. However, shoulder surgery, or other surgery, could be necessary in some cases. When you have this issue, you will want to consult a doctor for help.

Surgeon’s Advice | Leon Mead MD Orthopedic Doctor | 730 Goodlette Road North, Suite 201  Naples Florida 34102 | Phone: (239) 262-1119