Soft Tissue & Chronic Pain
Tendinopathy
Load-related tendon pain that typically builds gradually.
Also called: Tendinitis, Tendon pain.
Tendons adapt to load over time, strengthening with gradual, appropriate demand. Problems usually follow a change — an increase in volume, intensity, or a drop in recovery — rather than a single dramatic event.
Pain typically builds gradually and can be present at the start of activity, ease with warming up, then return afterwards, which is a recognisable pattern for tendon-related pain.
Why this matters
Complete rest is rarely the right answer for tendon pain, and it can actually make a tendon less tolerant of load over time. Managing the amount and type of load usually matters more than avoiding it altogether.
Understanding what changed before symptoms started — a new activity, more mileage, less recovery time — is often the key to a sensible plan going forward.
The brain & nervous-system connection
Where the nervous system fits in
How load is distributed across a limb depends on coordination between muscles and joints, not just the tendon itself, which is why the whole chain is assessed rather than only the painful point.
Movement patterns that developed to avoid pain can end up shifting load onto the tendon in ways that keep it irritated, even after the original trigger has settled.
What we look at
We look for patterns, not a single test
- Detailed health history and consultation
- NeuroInfiniti Stress Response Evaluation
- Posture and movement
- Balance and coordination testing
- Eye movement or neurological screening when appropriate
- Grip or motor-function testing when appropriate
- Palpation and spinal function
- Other examination procedures based on the individual
Not every person receives every test. What we perform depends on your history, your age and what the examination shows as we go.
Scope of care
What this does — and doesn't — mean
What we do
- • We evaluate chiropractic and musculoskeletal function.
- • We look at nervous-system-related functional findings that fall within our scope.
- • We assess movement, balance and coordination findings.
- • We measure stress-response patterns with the NeuroInfiniti evaluation.
- • We make individualized chiropractic care recommendations and re-measure over time.
What we don't claim
- • We do not diagnose, treat or cure diseases.
- • Chiropractic care is not a treatment for dementia, Alzheimer's disease or other neurological diseases.
- • Chiropractic care is not a replacement for medical care, testing or medication.
- • No outcome is promised. Results vary from person to person.
Common questions
- Will I be adjusted on the first visit?
- Generally no. The first visit is an evaluation visit. Dr. Geran reviews the findings and makes recommendations at the follow-up visit.
- Do I need imaging before I come in?
- Not usually. If your history or examination suggests imaging is needed, we will say so and help arrange the right next step.
When medical evaluation may be needed
Some symptoms need medical evaluation first. If anything in your history or examination suggests that, we will say so and help point you in the right direction.
Related at Foothills Chiropractic
- Joint Pain & Staying Active — Shoulders, hips, knees, ankles — extremity function matters as much as the spine.
- Achilles Tendinopathy — Pain and stiffness in the Achilles tendon, usually load-related.
- Ankle Pain — Pain or restriction at the ankle, often after an old injury.
- Ankle Sprain — Ligament injury from rolling or twisting the ankle.
Think Foothills Chiropractic might be right for you?
Start Here walks you through what the process looks like, so you can decide whether taking the next step makes sense for you.