Tendinopathy

Tendinopathy

Got tendon pain? Let us help you get on top of your painful and frustrating tendinopathy

Tendinopathy is a condition characterized by pain, swelling, and impaired function of a tendon — the thick fibrous tissue that connects muscle to bone. It typically develops gradually due to overuse or repetitive loading, rather than from a sudden injury.

Tendinopathy affects tendons in various parts of the body, such as the Achilles, patellar (knee), rotator cuff (shoulder), and elbow (tennis elbow).
Tendinopathy treatment at West Coast Physio

Common causes of tendinopathy

Tendinopathy usually develops when the tendon is subjected to loads beyond its capacity to repair, often from:

  • Repetitive or excessive loading – repetitive movements or sudden increases in activity intensity or volume
  • Poor biomechanics or technique – inefficient movement patterns increasing tendon stress
  • Muscle weakness or imbalance – inadequate support for the tendon during movement
  • Inadequate recovery – insufficient rest between training sessions or activities
  • Age and tendon health – tendons become less resilient with age and some medical conditions

How we can help manage your tendinopathy

We take an evidence-based, individualized approach to managing tendinopathy, focusing on restoring tendon health, reducing pain, and improving function.

Thorough Assessment & Diagnosis

Our physiotherapists identify the affected tendon, severity, and contributing factors through detailed clinical evaluation. Imaging is rarely required but may be used selectively.

Progressive Loading Programs

Loading the tendon progressively with targeted exercises is the cornerstone of treatment. This often involves heavy slow resistance training or eccentric exercises designed to stimulate tendon healing and remodelling.

Strong evidence supports progressive loading as the most effective treatment for tendinopathy (Malliaras et al., 2015)

Biomechanical and Movement Correction

We assess and address any biomechanical issues, muscle weaknesses, or faulty movement patterns that may contribute to excess tendon stress.

Correcting technique and muscle imbalances reduces re-injury risk (Riel et al., 2020)

Education & Activity Modification

Understanding your condition and managing activity levels — including pacing and load management — is critical to avoid aggravation and promote recovery.

Education combined with load management improves adherence and outcomes (Rio et al., 2016)

Physio for tendinopathy: FAQs

No. It’s more about tendon adaptation to load than inflammation.

Areas We Serve

We provide physiotherapy services to clients with tendinopathy across the Perth northern suburbs. Some of the most common areas we serve include:

Doubleview, Scarborough, Innaloo, Woodlands, Wembley Downs, Churchlands, Karrinyup, Gwelup, Osborne Park, City Beach, Floreat, and Trigg.

If you're located nearby and looking for expert tendinopathy care, we're just a short drive away.

Additionally, we provide expert and specialist physiotherapy care to many clients who live in Perth and regional Western Australia – your rehabilitation is our priority and many of our clients are prepared to drive further to receive quality care.