Tualatin Valley Physical Therapy, LLC BBB Business Review

Tendon Pain & Tendinopathy Treatment in Hillsboro, OR

Restore tissue resilience. Reduce persistent pain. Return to loading confidently.

Tendon pain can be one of the most frustrating injuries to deal with.

Symptoms often linger, flare unpredictably, and resist rest, stretching, injections, and passive care alone. While those treatment strategies may temporarily offer relief, they don’t address the cause(s) of your pain, often leading to chronic pain and inactivity.

At Tualatin Valley Physical Therapy, we help patients throughout Hillsboro and the Tualatin Valley resolve persistent tendon pain by restoring tissue capacity, strength, and load tolerance.

We treat tendons the way they should be: as adaptable tissues rather than fragile structures.

What Is Tendinopathy?

Tendinopathy describes a tendon that has become sensitive, irritated, and poorly tolerant to load.

Common examples include:

Despite often being labeled as tendinitis (-itis means inflammation), these conditions are rarely true inflammation problems.

They are typically issues of load tolerance and tissue capacity.

Infographic about understanding tendinopathy and its stages as it worsens without rehabilitation for tendon issues.
An image of tendinopathy down at the microscopic level

Why Tendon Pain Becomes Persistent

Many patients are told:

While short-term relief may occur, long-term resolution usually requires:

✔ Progressive loading
✔ Strength development
✔ Tissue capacity restoration
✔ Movement mechanics refinement
✔ Nervous system desensitization

Tendons respond best to graded, strategic loading.

Modern Tendon Rehab: What Actually Works

Strong evidence supports:

👉 Heavy slow resistance training
👉 Progressive loading strategies
👉 Movement-specific strengthening
👉 Load tolerance development

Effective rehab focuses on making the tendon:

✔ Stronger
✔ More tolerant
✔ Less reactive
✔ Resilient

Not simply “calming symptoms” for them to return later.

Infographic about rehab progressions for tendon injuries based on recent scientific research
Infographic about return to play rehab progressions for a tendon injury

How Physical Therapy Treats Tendinopathy

Your care likely may include:

  • Tendon load tolerance assessment

  • Strength & capacity evaluation

  • Progressive resistance programming

  • Movement mechanics analysis

  • Impact tolerance development

  • Sport-specific loading strategies

  • Flare-up management planning

  • Education about tendon adaptation

Our goal is to restore confidence to:

✔ Running
✔ Lifting
✔ Jumping
✔ Gripping
✔ Pressing
✔ Sport & activity

Without constant setbacks.

Common Tendon Rehab Myths

Many patients worry and think:

  • “Pain means damage.”

  • “I should avoid loading.”

  • “This is inflammation forever.”

  • “My tendon is degenerating.”

Modern research shows:

👉 Tendons adapt to load
👉 Strength improves resilience
👉 Pain sensitivity is reversible
👉 Loading is essential for recovery

A physical therapist instructing a patient on how to use a therapy bar for eccentric work on their tennis elbow to improve load tolerance
Infographic about how adaptive tendons are based on several variables. Tendons are not fragile!

Who We Commonly Help

We frequently work with:

Rehab is always personalized.

Tendon Pain FAQs

  • Yes. Progressive loading and strength development are central to tendon recovery.

  • Short-term modification may help, but long-term unloading delays recovery. Structured loading is essential for long-term improvement.

  • Not typically. Tendinopathy usually involves changes in load tolerance and tissue capacity.

  • No! Tendons are adaptable tissues that respond well to rehabilitation.

  • Tendons adapt slowly and require structured loading. Consistency is key!

  • Not typically. Many patients improve with rehab alone. Injections typically shouldn’t be considered unless conservative rehab alone is not enough.

  • Absolutely! This is a core specialty of physical therapy.

Stop Waiting. Start Recovering.

No referrals. No insurance delays. No techs or aides.
Just one-on-one care with a Doctor of Physical Therapy.

Whether you’re dealing with back pain, a sports injury, an auto accident, or a work injury, we make it simple to get started. Same-day appointments available.

Serving Hillsboro, Cornelius, Forest Grove, Aloha, and the greater Tualatin Valley.

Call us today at (971) 238-5755, or click the button below to schedule your initial evaluation online.

Unsure if self-pay physical therapy is for you? Schedule a free 15-minute consultation using the same button!

Our friendly team is ready to guide you on your path to recovery and lasting wellness.

Schedule Online

Auto (PIP) Accepted

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Workers' Compensation Accepted

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Out-of-Network Reimbursement Available

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Auto (PIP) Accepted 〰️ Workers' Compensation Accepted 〰️ Out-of-Network Reimbursement Available 〰️

Transparent pricing. Clear plan. No surprise bills.

Experience the TVPT Difference.