How Sports Therapy Can Help with Tendon Injuries
Tendon injuries are one of the most common issues we see at Wimborne Wellness Centre — whether it’s a runner with Achilles pain, a tennis player with a sore elbow, or someone struggling with shoulder discomfort after gym training.
While they’re often associated with athletes, tendon injuries can affect anyone. The good news is that sports therapy offers effective, evidence-based treatments to support recovery and prevent future problems.
⚡ What Are Tendon Injuries?
Tendons are the strong, fibrous tissues that connect muscles to bones. They play a vital role in movement by transmitting the force generated by muscles to create motion.
Overuse, sudden increases in training load, poor movement patterns, or even prolonged inactivity can all irritate or damage the tendon. This leads to tendinopathy — a condition marked by pain, stiffness, and reduced strength, often getting worse with activity.
Common examples include:
Achilles tendinopathy (back of the ankle)
Patellar tendinopathy (below the kneecap)
Tennis or golfer’s elbow
Rotator cuff tendinopathy (shoulder)
🏋️♀️ How Sports Therapy Supports Recovery
At Wimborne Wellness Centre, our sports therapists take a holistic approach — looking beyond the painful area to understand the root cause of the problem.
Here’s how sports therapy can help:
1. Accurate Assessment and Diagnosis
A thorough examination identifies which tendon is affected and why. Your therapist will assess posture, movement patterns, and strength to understand the underlying cause — whether it’s muscle imbalance, training errors, or poor biomechanics.
2. Targeted Hands-On Treatment
Manual therapy techniques such as soft tissue massage, myofascial release, and joint mobilisation help reduce tension, improve blood flow, and promote healing in the affected tendon and surrounding tissues.
3. Rehabilitation and Exercise Therapy
Tendons love progressive loading. Sports therapists design specific, graded exercise programmes to strengthen the tendon gradually, restoring its ability to handle force and reducing pain.
These might include eccentric exercises, isometric holds, and resistance training tailored to your sport or activity level.
4. Load Management and Training Advice
Your therapist will help you modify training volume and intensity to avoid re-injury. They’ll also guide you on warm-ups, recovery routines, and long-term strategies to keep your tendons healthy and resilient.
5. Prevention and Performance Optimisation
Even after symptoms settle, sports therapy plays a vital role in preventing recurrence. By addressing movement inefficiencies and improving overall strength and flexibility, we help you return to your sport stronger than before.
⏱️ How Long Does Recovery Take?
Tendon injuries can be stubborn — they rarely heal overnight. Recovery times depend on how long the issue has been present and how consistently you follow your rehab plan.
With the right guidance, most people notice improvements within a few weeks, with steady progress over 2–3 months.
The key is patience, consistency, and professional support — all of which our sports therapy team provides every step of the way.
🧠 The Takeaway
Tendon pain can be frustrating, but it’s not something you have to live with.
Sports therapy offers a proven, practical path to recovery — combining hands-on treatment, tailored exercise, and education to help you move confidently again.
If you’re struggling with a tendon injury or persistent niggle, our team at Wimborne Wellness Centre is here to help you get back to the activities you love — safely, effectively, and with lasting results.
✨ Ready to start your recovery?
Book an appointment with one of our sports therapists at Wimborne Wellness Centre today and take the first step towards healthier, stronger movement.