Living in Victoria, BC, we’re lucky to enjoy an active, outdoor lifestyle—biking, kayaking, hiking, and gardening year-round. But with all that movement, it’s no surprise that tendonitis is one of the most common issues seen in rehab clinics across the city. Tendonitis, or inflammation of a tendon, can result from repetitive strain, poor biomechanics, or sudden increases in activity.
In this blog, we’ll explore the top five types of tendonitis seen in Victoria and how massage therapy, physiotherapy, and chiropractic care can help relieve pain, restore function, and prevent flare-ups. There is overlap in modalities and skills of these three professions; all are able to offer manual therapy to relax the muscles, improve joint mobility and prescribe strengthening exercises to rehab the area. Below is a summary of the area’s each profession would typically be stronger in, but not limited to. There’s no wrong choice in where to start treatment!
1. Achilles Tendonitis
Common in: Runners, hikers, tennis players, and walkers
Causes: Sudden increases in running distance or intensity, poor footwear, tight calf muscles from overuse or weakness
Symptoms: Heel pain, stiffness in the Achilles tendon, pain that worsens with activity
Treatment:
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Massage therapy focuses on softening the tight calf muscles and the achilles tendons.
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Physiotherapy includes eccentric strengthening exercises, manual therapy, and gait retraining.
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Chiropractic care can assess and correct foot and ankle alignment issues that may be contributing to the problem.
2. Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)
Common in: Office workers, tennis players, weightlifters, tradespeople, massage therapists 😉
Causes: Repetitive wrist and forearm motions, gripping tools, typing or mouse use
Symptoms: Pain on the outside of the elbow, weakness when gripping or lifting
Treatment:
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Massage therapy helps release tension in the forearm muscles and reduce inflammation.
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Physiotherapy provides stretching, strengthening, and ergonomic education for long-term relief.
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Chiropractors may address joint restrictions in the elbow, wrist, and neck that contribute to strain.
3. Rotator Cuff Tendonitis
Common in: Swimmers, painters, overhead athletes, gym-goers
Causes: Repetitive overhead movements, poor posture, muscle imbalances
Symptoms: Shoulder pain with lifting the arm, weakness, limited range of motion
Treatment:
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Massage therapy targets shoulder and upper back muscles, relieving strain and improving mobility.
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Physiotherapists use corrective exercises, posture retraining, and manual therapy.
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Chiropractic care can help restore shoulder joint function and spinal alignment to reduce compensations.
4. Patellar Tendonitis (Jumper’s Knee)
Common in: Runners, volleyball and basketball players
Causes: Jumping and running on hard surfaces, muscle imbalances, poor landing mechanics
Symptoms: Pain below the kneecap, stiffness with movement, swelling
Treatment:
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Massage therapy helps release tight quads and calves that pull on the tendon.
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Physiotherapy focuses on eccentric loading, improving landing mechanics, and correcting imbalances.
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Chiropractic adjustments can improve alignment in the hips, knees, and feet to reduce knee stress.
5. De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
Common in: New parents, office workers, hairdressers, and gardeners
Causes: Repetitive thumb and wrist use, poor ergonomics, carrying babies
Symptoms: Pain on the thumb side of the wrist, worsens with gripping or lifting
Treatment:
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Massage therapy reduces tightness in the thumb and forearm muscles.
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Physiotherapy addresses inflammation, teaches tendon gliding exercises, and supports ergonomic modifications.
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Chiropractors can assess wrist mobility and adjust related joints like the elbow and upper spine.
Don’t Ignore Tendonitis—Get the Right Treatment
Tendonitis doesn’t have to keep you from doing what you love. Whether you’re a weekend warrior, a dedicated athlete, or someone whose work or hobbies involve repetitive motions, early intervention with massage, physiotherapy, and chiropractic care can help you recover faster and prevent chronic issues.
If you’re experiencing persistent pain in your joints or muscles, reach out to your local integrated wellness clinic in Victoria, BC. A collaborative approach to treatment can make all the difference in getting you back to your lifestyle—pain-free.
Need Help With Tendonitis in Victoria, BC?
Book an assessment with one of our experienced practitioners today and start your recovery journey with a personalized treatment plan that works for you.