The tendons are responsible for connecting the muscles to the bones. If the tendons are damaged due to an injury, it will make movement a difficult task and can affect the daily activities of an individual in severe cases. Once an individual injures a tendon, it becomes swollen and painful, thus any movement involving the injured tendon causes pain. This can be devastating for those who engage in sports that require various bodily movements.
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The most common form of tendon injury is tendinitis. This condition typically occurs around the commonly used tendons in the body such as those in the knees, ankles, elbows, shoulders and wrists. The application of ice and rest can help the tendons heal. If you want to learn about the uses of an ice pack on similar conditions, click here. Additionally, infrared therapy can also be used to treat tendinitis.
What are tendons?
A tendon is a durable band of fibrous connective tissue that connects muscles to bone or the muscles to muscles. These tissues are specifically designed to endure tension. They are similar to ligaments except that the ligaments join one bone to another. Always remember that tendons and muscles work together and can only exert a pulling force.
What is infrared therapy?
During infrared therapy, infrared light is used which is basically electromagnetic radiation that is not included in the visible spectrum. It has a longer wavelength and lower frequency than visible light. It is believed to help promote the proper healing of wounds, improve the circulation as well as the muscle function.
This therapy is delivered by using light-emitting diodes that are affixed to flexible pads. These pads are placed on the skin on the affected area. The diodes will emit infrared light into the skin which will stimulate the circulation in the area to promote the healing process.
How the therapy works on tendon inflammation
The infrared therapy has anti-inflammatory properties that can help speed up the healing among individuals who suffer from tendinitis. Based on studies conducted, those who receive the therapy showed a significant decrease in the amount of prostaglandins produced. The prostaglandins are produced the body in response to inflammation. There is a remarkable drop in the level of pain after a treatment session has been performed.
How infrared therapy works on edema
Aside from minimizing the pain and inflammation, infrared therapy can also reduce edema. This condition involves the retention of fluid in various areas of the body. If infrared therapy was provided, it helped relieved the swelling caused by a tendon injury. The effect of minimizing the edema can be immediate, thus it has been established that infrared therapy has an essential role in the recovery of tendon injuries. The reduction of edema is connected with a faster recovery of function in the affected area.
With the help of advancement in the field of health, particularly the infrared therapy, it drastically improved the healing process of tendon injuries.