Living with Tendinopathy: What Patients Really Experience

A recent systematic review published in Physical Therapy (Mesiha et al., 2025) explored the beliefs, perceptions and experiences of individuals living with tendinopathy. The study identified three themes that patients consistently described:

1. “I need to understand why my tendon hurts.”

2. “I want to fix my tendon, but I don’t know how.”

3. “I am uncertain whether my lifestyle will return to normal.”

These themes deeply resonate with what I see in my practice. Let me share how I address each of these during treatment.

1. Helping patients understand why their tendon hurts

One of the most powerful steps in recovery is understanding the “why” behind your pain. Many people come to me worried that their tendon is “tearing” every time it hurts. Part of my role is to explain what tendinopathy really means—how it differs from an acute injury, why pain doesn’t necessarily mean damage and what’s actually happening in the tendon. Once people have a clear diagnosis and an explanation they can trust, I often see their fear and uncertainty start to lift. Education isn’t just information—it’s relief and reassurance.

2. Creating a clear, simple plan for recovery

The second theme—“I want to fix my tendon, but I don’t know how”—is where treatment planning becomes so important. Research (and patient experience) shows that people do best with simple, personalized exercise programs they can realistically stick with. For example, a double leg calf raise might be far more effective and sustainable than a complicated set of drills. While some patients expect passive treatments like soft tissue work or dry needling, I emphasize combining those relief strategies with active strengthening and loading exercises that actually change the tendon over time. My goal is always to make recovery approachable, not overwhelming.

3. Restoring lifestyle and identity

Perhaps the hardest part of tendinopathy is the way it limits people’s lives. I often hear, “I just want to go for a walk with my kids” or “I miss running with my friends.” These aren’t just activities—they’re part of who people are. Tendinopathy can feel like it steals that identity. My job is to help patients rebuild gradually so they can return to the things that matter most—whether that’s sports, fitness, or simply everyday movement without worry. Recovery isn’t just about pain going away; it’s about getting your life back.

This new research reinforces what I see every day: tendinopathy is more than just a tendon problem—it affects how people think, feel and live. My approach always combines education, simple and effective exercise and support in reclaiming the activities that define you. If you’ve been struggling with tendon pain and aren’t sure what the next step should be, know that you don’t have to navigate it alone.

Lauren DeYoe

Doctor of Physical Therapy

Reiki Master

Owner Reiki PT