Resting won’t cure tendon pain. Learn why progressive loading, not rest, is the key to recovery from Achilles, elbow, knee, or shoulder tendinopathy.

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Why Rest Feels Helpful — But Doesn’t Heal Tendons

If you’ve developed tendon pain in your Achilles, elbow, shoulder, or knee, your first instinct may be to stop all activity. Rest often eases discomfort in the short term, but it rarely solves the underlying problem. Tendons don’t just need rest — they need the right kind of exercise stimulus.

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How Tendons Stay Healthy

Tendons connect muscle to bone and act like springs, storing and releasing energy. They stay strong through regular loading. When load is suddenly increased (too much running, lifting, or jumping) or reduced (through complete rest), tendons lose resilience. This imbalance can lead to tendinopathy, where the tendon becomes painful and less effective at handling stress.

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Why Loading Beats Rest

When you completely rest a tendon, the pain may ease — but the tissue also becomes weaker. Returning to activity often reignites symptoms. Research shows that progressive loading exercises are the cornerstone of tendon rehab. Examples include:

• Calf raises for Achilles tendinopathy
• Eccentric wrist exercises for tennis elbow
• Heavy slow resistance for patellar tendinopathy

These exercises gradually strengthen both the tendon and surrounding muscles, improve tolerance to stress, and reduce pain over time.

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Finding the Right Balance

Rehabilitation is about smart loading, not overloading. The exercises should feel challenging but not aggravating.

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Takeaway

Rest alone won’t fix tendon pain. To recover fully and return to the activities you love, your tendon needs progressive, structured loading. For treatment and advice on tendinopathies please contact us on 0208-394-0393 or book online here

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