Tendonitis that won't go away?
This may be the wrong forum, but I am 50 and I can't get rid of this problem, so I thought I'd ask the over 30s group what they do for this problem.
Last year I went to a physical therapist over shoulder pain that wouldn't go away. He determined the problem stemmed from shoulder damage I did many years ago. Adjusted me, and put me on some exercises which I did for at least 3 months and pretty much alleviated the pain (not entirely tho). Anyways, as soon as the shoulder/back pain subsided, I started getting tendonitis in my left arm (same side as the shoulder pain), I am assuming from over compensating or something due to the shoulder pain. Now I can hardly do bench or pressing exercises, in particular tricep exercises without serious pain. I have tried sticking with machines, going light weight, etc., but am becoming very frustrated with this pain/injury and need to get this over with so I can get on with lifting. I am even doing 1800mg of Ibuprofen/day for two weeks, under recommendation from another friend. Any suggestions or recommendations??? :unsure:
Rest/Ice/Anti-inflammatory
Take two weeks off of any arm exercises. Tendonitis is from over use of a specific tendon causing inflammation in that tendon and the subsequent pain. During those two weeks switch to three Aleve (naproxen) every 12 hours. In addition, ice for 20 minutes at least twice a day.
Once you've knocked the inflammation down begin the light weight exercises to strengthen all of the muscles that support that joint. Your guess about over compensation is most likely correct. You've probably changed you exercise form ever so slightly such that you unduly burden a few tendons. You'll need to also make sure you shoulder is also strengthened so that you don't fall back into the same poor form and repeat the injury.
If this doesn't work, your next step is to see an orthopedic for a cortisone shot.
Definitely add the glucosamine and chondroitin. They will help “aging” joints (really good results with my knees) but not so much with truly injured joints (shoulders for me).