Understanding Tendinopathy: Causes, Symptoms & How we can Help. 

Tendinopathy is a broad term that refers to pain and dysfunction in a tendon—most often caused by overuse or repetitive strain. You may have heard the term tendinitis, which refers to tendon inflammation, but modern research has shown that tendinopathy involves more than just inflammation—it also includes tendon degeneration and structural changes.

Common types of tendinopathy include:

• Achilles tendinopathy (back of the heel)

• Patellar tendinopathy (knee)

• Rotator cuff tendinopathy (shoulder)

• Tennis or golfer’s elbow (outer or inner elbow)

• Gluteal tendinopathy (hip)

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Causes of Tendinopathy

The most common cause is repetitive overuse—especially without enough rest or variation in movement. Other contributing factors include:

• Sudden increase in physical activity

• Poor biomechanics or technique

• Muscle imbalances

• Inadequate warm-up or recovery

• Age-related changes in the tendon

If you’re active in sports, have a physically demanding job, or recently increased your training load, you may be more at risk.

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Symptoms to Watch For

If you’re experiencing the following symptoms, you may be suffering from tendinopathy:

• A dull ache or stiffness, especially in the morning or after rest

• Pain during or after activity

• Tenderness over the affected tendon

• Swelling or thickening in chronic cases

• Weakness in the surrounding muscle group

Don’t ignore these signs—early treatment can make a huge difference.

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How Physiotherapy Can Help with Tendinopathy in Stoke on Trent

At our Stoke on Trent Injury clinic, we use a personalised and scientific approach to treat tendinopathy.

Here's what you can expect:

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Accurate Diagnosis

We carry out a thorough assessment to identify the affected tendon and determine the stage of tendinopathy—early reactive or chronic degenerative.

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Exercise-Based Rehab

A tailored loading program is the gold standard for treating tendinopathy. We guide you through a progressive strengthening regime that helps the tendon adapt, rebuild, and become pain-free.

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Manual Therapy

Hands-on techniques can help reduce pain, improve mobility, and address any secondary muscular tightness or joint stiffness.

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Biomechanical Analysis

We assess your movement patterns to spot issues that may be overloading your tendon—like poor running form, muscle imbalances, or joint misalignment.

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Education and Self-Management

You’ll learn how to manage your condition day-to-day, avoid flare-ups, and know when to rest vs. when to load.

Shockwave Therapy

For stubborn or chronic cases, we also offer shockwave therapy in Stoke on Trent to stimulate healing in degenerated tendons.​

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How Our Clinic Can Help

At Maximum Performance Sports Therapy Injury Clinic, we specialise in treating and preventing injuries in Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme. Our experienced team offers a range of hands-on treatments, including:

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• Manual Therapy & Soft Tissue Release to alleviate tightness and improve mobility.

• Spinal manipulation and mobilisation.

• Shockwave Therapy & Ultrasound Therapy for pain relief and accelerated healing.

• Custom Rehabilitation Programs tailored to your running goals.

• Gait Analysis & Biomechanical Assessments to correct posture and body movement.

• Taping & Bracing Solutions to support injured areas and prevent further damage.

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What to Expect During Treatment

1. Initial Consultation: Our specialists will assess your condition and discuss your symptoms.

2. Customised Treatment Plan including rehabilitation exercises: Based on your diagnosis, we create a personalised approach.

3. Ongoing Care and Monitoring: We track your progress to ensure optimal results.

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If you're struggling with lower back injury or want to stay proactive in preventing one, book an appointment with us today. Our expert team will help you recover, strengthen, and optimise your performance—so you can keep running strong and pain-free!​

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What to book in for?

For a full assessment, treatment, advise, exercise plan etc... Book for an Initial Consultation & Treatment service. 

Book Here