Muscle and Tendon Pain

Muscles and tendons work together to produce and control movement.

Pain in this group is often described as “muscle pain,” but in many cases, the tendon or the point where the muscle attaches to bone may be more involved.

Muscles and Tendons — Different Roles

• Muscles generate force and movement
• Tendons transmit that force to the skeleton

Because tendons handle repeated loading, they are often more sensitive to overuse.

How Pain Develops

Muscle and tendon pain may develop when:

• Load exceeds what the tissue can tolerate
• Activity levels change suddenly
• Recovery between activities is limited

This can lead to irritation and increased sensitivity within the tissue.

Common Features

Muscle and tendon-related pain often includes:

• Localised soreness or tightness
• Pain with movement or contraction
• Tenderness when pressing on a specific area
• Symptoms that change with activity level

Tendon-related pain may feel more specific and may return after repeated use.

Recovery Patterns

Compared to muscle soreness:

• Tendon irritation may take longer to settle
• Symptoms may improve with movement, but flare with overuse
• Gradual loading is often important for recovery

A Practical Approach

Treatment is focused on:

• Reducing excessive load initially
• Improving movement patterns
• Gradually reintroducing strength and loading

This helps the tissue adapt and become more tolerant over time.

Summary

Muscle and tendon pain often reflect how the body is responding to load. In many cases, tendons play a key role, particularly when symptoms are persistent or activity-related.