Dry Needling for Tendinitis and Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow, shoulder or knee tendinitis: trigger points in the surrounding muscles often sustain tendon pain beyond simple inflammation.
Why Tendinitis Persists Despite Rest
A tendinopathy (often called "tendinitis") is tendon distress caused by repeated mechanical overload: a sports motion, a repetitive work movement, or a sudden change in activity intensity. Rest alone rarely relieves an established tendinopathy, because the muscles connected to the tendon frequently develop trigger points that maintain excessive tension on it, sustaining the irritation.
Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)
Tennis elbow affects the epicondylar tendons on the outside of the elbow. Trigger points in the epicondylar and forearm muscles are directly needled to release the tension placed on the tendon insertion, alongside eccentric wrist exercises, the reference standard in tendinopathy rehabilitation.
Shoulder Tendinitis
Rotator cuff tendinopathies are often accompanied by trigger points in the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, deltoid, and scapular muscles. Treating them helps restore smoother shoulder mechanics and reduce pain when raising the arm.
Knee Tendinitis
In athletes (running, jumping sports), patellar or pes anserine tendinopathy is frequently accompanied by tension in the quadriceps, hamstrings, and adductors, treated with Dry Needling alongside eccentric strengthening.
How Many Sessions for Tendinitis?
Recent tendinopathy can improve within 2 to 3 sessions combined with eccentric exercises. Long-standing tendinitis present for several months (a common scenario with chronic tennis elbow) generally requires a longer course of 4 to 6 sessions, giving the tendon time to regain its load capacity alongside gradual muscle release.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is dry needling enough to treat tennis elbow?
Dry needling relieves the muscle tension that sustains tendon irritation, but it is combined with eccentric wrist exercises, the reference standard in tennis elbow rehabilitation. Used alone, without a gradual return to loading, relief is likely to be temporary.
Can I exercise between dry needling sessions for tendinitis?
Suitable activity that doesn't worsen tendon pain is generally encouraged, and even necessary for tendon healing. The practitioner adjusts load recommendations session by session based on symptom progress.
Is dry needling effective for calcific tendinitis?
Dry needling can relieve the muscle tension associated with calcific tendinitis of the shoulder, but it does not dissolve the calcification itself. An assessment can guide you, if needed, toward complementary treatment (ultrasound-guided needle aspiration, shockwave therapy).
Tendinitis that's dragged on for weeks?
An assessment identifies the muscles behind the tendon overload.
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