I have tendonitis in my elbow. The pain extends to my upper arm. I do circuit training 3 times per week. I saw a doctor who advised me to stop all upper body equipment until the tendonitis was gone then add one machine back each week. The problem is my tendonitis has never completely healed. It hurts whether or not I have exercised. I take Advil but it gives me very little relief.
If I do my upper body exercises when the pain isn’t especially severe am I doing further damage to my arm?
I would say that you should go back to your doctor and see what else you can do about it. I know that feeling, tendonitis. I got it on the inside of my knee joint a few years ago and now there is a small bump on the joint. In the meantime R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation.) This remedy may help until you can go back to your doctor. Hope you feel better!
In addition to the good advice you’ve already received, you might want to think about more ways to rest your tendon. Pay attention to the pain during your day, and if it hurts to do something, don’t do that anymore. Even wearing a sling can help remind you not to use that arm. I have had tendinitis several times, and the single most effective treatment was rest. Good luck, and I hope you feel better soon.
I have found out that in order to get the tendonitis to completely heal is to stop using your arm for 8 weeks. But I know that it really can’t be done since the elbow is worked a lot. I am suffering from it also. If you are still having pain from it in your arm you could further damage. Tendonitis is when there is a small tear in the tendon. If you still have pain when you excersise, then stop and wait for it too heal up. My sister didn’t do this and wound up having surgery due to it causing the muscle to separate from the bone. Please do what the doctor advised.