How to Treat Tendinitis with Electrostimulation

What are Tendinopathies?

Tendinopathies (commonly known as tendinitis) are an inflammation of a tendon that causes significant pain which can become chronic. They are in people who perform repetitive movements and also in athletes. Treat tendinitis effectively and you will be able to return to normal activity quickly. Discover in this article how to treat tendinopathies with electrostimulation.

Advice

Firstly, a quick piece of advice. Consult a doctor or physiotherapist who can evaluate all the measures to effectively treat tendinitis if you haven't already done so.

How to treat Tendinopathies?

FIRST ACUTE PHASE

Typically, a tendinopathy begins with an acute or inflammatory phase during which the tendon area is warm and red. The pain is sharp, and also appears when the tendon is touched and during movements.

At this stage, the pain prevents sports activity and sometimes even hinders everyday activities such as going down stairs. The Tendinitis program effectively relieves tendon pain during the inflammatory phase, during which you much completely rest from sports activities. Resuming activity too soon or increasing training intensity too quickly are known factors for recurrences that can lead to long-term unavailability.

When the acute phase ends, the tendon condition most often enters a chronic phase. The Muscle Pain program then (but not before!) becomes the recommended treatment during this phase.

SECOND CHRONIC PHASE

During this second tendinitis phase, the obvious signs of inflammation (heat, redness) have disappeared. The pain is no longer present and no longer hinders everyday activities such as going down stairs. But persistent discomfort or slight pain occurs during even extremely gradual returns to training. It should be noted that resuming sporting activity should always be done with the green light from a medical authority and done in an extremely gradual manner.

The onset of discomfort or the return of pain should always interrupt and pause the training session. During this chronic tendinitis phase, the tendon is in a recovery phase. there may be microlesions of the tendon fibers that still in the process of healing. The Muscle Pain program promotes a strong increase in blood circulation in all calf muscles (triceps surae) and the Achilles tendon, which is very helpful for promoting the healing process.

Do not use the Muscle Pain program too early, as there is a potential risk of increasing inflammatory signs.

Tendinopathy treatment with Compex Electrostimulation

FIRST PHASE: ACUTE PHASE

PROGRAM: Tendinitis (or TENS or Modulated Tens depending on the Compex model)

TREATMENT DURATION: Throughout the acute phase and the persistence of inflammatory signs.

TREATMENT PROCEDURE: At least 1 session every day. Repeat the session several times per day if this suits your needs.

ELECTRODE PLACEMENT: Cover the entire surface of the painful area with as many electrodes as necessary.

BODY POSITION: The most comfortable neutral position.

INTENSITY SETTING: The desired effect is to achieve a visible tingling sensation.
Increase the stimulation intensity gradually until this sensation is felt. Increasing stimulation intensities to a higher level does not provide further benefit. You can trigger unwanted muscle contractions by doing this.

For devices with mi-TENS technology:
As soon as a contraction is detected, the system automatically lowers the stimulation intensity.

For devices without mi-TENS technology:
If a muscle contraction occurs, slightly reduce the intensity level manually.

SECOND PHASE: CHRONIC PHASE

PROGRAM: Muscle Pain (or Chronic Tendinitis or Endorphinic depending on the Compex model)

TREATMENT DURATION: Throughout the chronic phase until complete disappearance of painful signs.
Consult a doctor after the first week of use if no improvement is observed.

TREATMENT PROCEDURE: At least 1 session every day. If possible, 2 sessions per day spaced at least 10 minutes apart.

ELECTRODE PLACEMENT: See our placement page.

BODY POSITION: Sitting or lying down in a comfortable position.

INTENSITY SETTING: The desired effect is to achieve pronounced muscle twitches while remaining comfortable.

This muscle activity is very different from a true contraction and it acts like a pump. This action is crucial for causing a significant increase in blood flow in the stimulated muscle to help treat tendinitis. When increasing the intensity, the muscle twitich is initially subtle, then becomes more visible before it reaches a level where the muscle response is maximal.
It is possible to increase the intensity higher, but this does not provide further benefits.

Devices equipped with mi-RANGE technology show the intensity zone that induces optimal stimulation on the screen.

• On SP 4.0, there is a small bracket that shows the optimal zone. Maintain the intensity within the bracket and if possible at the maximum level of it.
• On FIT 5.0 and SP 6.0, increase intensity until it reads "Optimal intensity level found." If stimulation is comfortable, you can increase the intensity slightly higher for more visible twitches.
• On SP 8.0, the mi-AUTORANGE function will automatically adjust the intensity. "Optimal intensity level found" will be shown as soon as the intensity has been found. If stimulation is comfortable, you can increase the intensity slightly higher for more visible pulsations.

Proven Effectiveness

Supported by clinical studies proving their efficacy, Compex stimulators belong to the category of Class II medical devices and also meet the requirements of the European Medical Standard 93/42 EEC.

Compex - Always with you

We're on the side of athletes, amateurs and also ordinary people. From the search for better performance to post injury recovery, from post fatigue massage to pain treatment. At Compex, we have just one goal: people's well being.

To choose the one that's right for you, take a look at our buying guide.

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