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Conditions We Treat  /  Tendonitis & Overuse Injuries

Sports & Injuries

Tendonitis and Overuse Injury Treatment in Bakersfield

Pain that builds with repeated use, like the elbow after a week of gripping, the knee after more running, or the shoulder after overhead work. Tendons respond to the right kind of load, not just rest.

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Yes, physical therapy is a first-line treatment for tendonitis and overuse injuries. Most tendon pain comes from doing more than the tendon is ready for. A progressive strengthening program, paired with adjusting how much you do for a while, is the treatment with the best long-term evidence, while rest and injections alone often give only short-term relief. At ARI Physical Therapy in Bakersfield, every visit is one-on-one with a licensed physical therapist.

Does this sound like you?

✓Pain that builds with repeated activity, like running, gripping, lifting or overhead work
✓Stiffness or pain when you first start moving, which eases, then returns afterward
✓A tender, sometimes thickened spot on a tendon
✓Pain that started after a jump in training, a new job task or new equipment
✓Rest helps, but the pain comes right back when you return
✓Common spots: shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee, hip and Achilles

What's going on

Tendons connect muscle to bone and adapt to the load you put on them, but slowly. When load increases faster than the tendon can adapt, it becomes painful and irritable. Doctors often call this tendonitis or tendinopathy. It's common with repetitive work tasks, a change in training, and with age.

Why loading beats resting

Complete rest calms the pain but also weakens the tendon, so the pain often returns. Progressive strengthening helps the tendon rebuild its capacity. Your therapist sets a level of activity the tendon can handle, then builds it up week by week. Changes to technique, equipment or workstation help too.

We also have detailed guides for tennis and golfer's elbow, rotator cuff pain and Achilles pain.

What treatment at ARI looks like

1
A one-on-one evaluation

Your first visit takes about 45 to 60 minutes. We find the irritated tendon, check strength and movement, and look at the activities, work tasks or training that brought it on.

2
Load it the right way

A progressive tendon-strengthening program, hands-on care, and adjustments to your activity so the tendon can recover without stopping everything.

3
Back to full activity

A step-by-step return to sport, work or hobbies, with technique and equipment tips to keep it from coming back.

No referral needed to start. In California, you can see a physical therapist directly for up to 12 visits or 45 days, whichever comes first. Some insurance plans still require a referral for coverage; call us at (661) 282-8584 and we'll help you check.

When to see a doctor first

See a doctor promptly if you have:

  • A sudden pop with sudden weakness, which can be a tendon rupture
  • A hot, red, swollen joint, especially with fever
  • Pain at night or at rest that is steadily getting worse
  • Numbness, tingling or weakness in the arm or leg

Why patients choose ARI

Care at ARI is always one-on-one and in person with a licensed physical therapist at our Bakersfield clinic: 8200 Stockdale Hwy, Suite B2, in the Town & Country Village center next to Trader Joe's. Our clinic director, Deepa Konnur, PT, MPT, OCS, is a board-certified Orthopedic Certified Specialist. We accept most private insurance plans and Medicare, and we have staff who speak Spanish and Hindi.

Tendonitis and overuse injury FAQs

Usually not. Short-term rest can calm a flare, but tendons need gradually increasing load to get stronger. Your therapist will help you find a level of activity that lets the tendon recover.
They can ease pain in the short term for some tendons, but studies show exercise-based treatment tends to do better in the long run. Talk with your doctor about whether an injection makes sense for you.
Tendons adapt slowly. Many people notice improvement within several weeks of consistent exercise, and full recovery can take a few months.
Mild discomfort that settles within a day is usually fine with tendon rehab. Pain that is sharp or lasts into the next day means the load needs adjusting.
No. In California you can see a physical therapist directly for up to 12 visits or 45 days, whichever comes first. Some insurance plans still require a referral for coverage, so call us at (661) 282-8584 and we'll help you check.

Common questions

Ready to feel better?

Talk to a licensed physical therapist at ARI, one-on-one. Request an evaluation and we'll get back to you, usually within one business day.

Request an EvaluationCall (661) 282-8584

Sources

  1. Lateral Elbow Pain and Muscle Function Impairments. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy (APTA clinical practice guideline), 2022.
  2. Tendinitis. MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.
  3. Achilles Tendinitis. OrthoInfo, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

This page is general information, not a diagnosis. If you have symptoms, a licensed clinician should evaluate you.

Clinically reviewed by Deepa Konnur, PT, MPT, OCS, board-certified Orthopedic Certified Specialist · Reviewed September 2026