Tendonitis

Tendonitis — tendon inflammation or degeneration — occurs where abnormal mechanics repeatedly overload a tendon. SoftWave and laser therapy stimulate healing while chiropractic correction addresses the underlying cause.

What Is Tendonitis?

Tendonitis (more accurately called tendinopathy in chronic cases) involves degeneration and inflammation of the tendon — often at its attachment to bone. Common sites include the Achilles tendon, patellar tendon, elbow tendons (tennis and golfer's elbow), biceps tendon, and rotator cuff. The underlying cause is almost always biomechanical — abnormal movement patterns overload the tendon beyond its adaptive capacity. Repetitive microtrauma accumulates, the tendon fails to fully repair between loading sessions, and chronic degeneration develops.

Common Symptoms

Pain at the tendon attachment site that worsens with the relevant activity
Morning stiffness and pain that eases with warm-up
Point tenderness on direct palpation of the tendon
Swelling or thickening of the tendon
Pain with resisted contraction of the attached muscle
Gradual onset worsening over weeks to months

Common Causes & Contributing Factors

Biomechanical abnormalities creating repetitive tendon overload
Sudden increase in training load without adequate recovery
Improper footwear or equipment contributing to abnormal mechanics
Spinal misalignment altering limb biomechanics
Age-related reduction in tendon vascularity and elasticity
Fluoroquinolone antibiotic use weakening collagen

The Pura Vida Protocol: Chiropractic Care for Tendonitis

SoftWave therapy is the most evidence-supported treatment for tendinopathy — its shock waves stimulate neovascularization, activate stem cells, and dramatically accelerate collagen remodeling within the degenerative tendon. Class IV laser therapy complements this with photobiomodulation, reducing inflammation and accelerating cellular repair. Dr. Foss identifies and corrects the spinal and biomechanical misalignments driving abnormal tendon loading — without addressing mechanics, tendinopathy recurs regardless of how well the tendon heals.

At Pura Vida Chiropractic, Dr. Foss uses Sacro-Occipital Technique (SOT) — a gentle, category-based system that addresses the spine, pelvis, and craniosacral rhythm as one integrated unit. SOT restores proper biomechanics, reduces nerve interference, and creates the neurological environment your body needs to heal itself.

Advanced Therapies We Combine With Chiropractic

For many patients, combining spinal correction with regenerative therapies produces faster and more lasting results. Depending on your condition, Dr. Foss may incorporate one or more of the following:

SoftWave Therapy

Patented unfocused shock waves spread over a broad treatment area to reduce inflammation, increase blood flow, and activate stem cells — promoting cellular regeneration and long-term pain relief.

Class IV Laser Therapy

Photobiomodulation with a 10–15W Class IV laser delivers therapeutic light energy deep into tissue, reducing inflammation, blocking pain signals, and speeding healing at the cellular level.

Why Choose Pura Vida Chiropractic in San Antonio?

Pura Vida Chiropractic is a family-friendly, bilingual (English/Spanish) clinic serving San Antonio, TX. Dr. Dan Foss is trained in Sacro-Occipital Technique (SOT), a comprehensive chiropractic system that addresses the whole body — not just the area of pain. We combine hands-on spinal correction with the latest regenerative technology to help patients resolve the root cause of their condition rather than masking symptoms.

We are insurance friendly with most insurance plans including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, UnitedHealthcare, Humana, Aetna, Ambetter, Oscar Health, Community First, and Molina Healthcare. New patient appointments are available promptly.

Ready to Get Relief from Tendonitis?

Schedule your new patient appointment with Dr. Foss at Pura Vida Chiropractic in San Antonio, TX. We'll identify the root cause and build a personalized care plan.

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