Isometric Exercise for Tendon Pain

G’day,

I have developed pain in my r thigh with referral to knee. Differential of displaced/loose acetabular component of total hip replacement or something soft tissue.

As lifting improved the pain the diagnosis looks like the latter. My coach (who is excellent and a BBM Affiliate) recommended isometric exercise to assist. I performed (with improvement in both function and pain) about 20 min of sequential isometric squats (20s each) wirh bar only.

As I have to maintain a reputation for over thinking things; do you know of a physiological reason for isometric exercise assisting in pain reduction?

Best Wishes

When thinking about tendons and pain I’d recommend Jill Cook’s work:

Ebonie Rio has also done work on the topic:

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Great question! Glad to hear you are feeling better. As @Matthew_Rupiper_PT stated, Jill Cook is one of the leaders in the field on tendinopathy. Ebonie Rio tends to do the majority of research on isometric effects for tendinopathies (which in of itself is a controversial point anytime a single person puts out research). Admittedly, I often skip isometrics if the case isn’t too sensitized and it’s very likely we can achieve analgesia with any type of muscle contraction to the area provided it is enough stimulation to the area that isn’t achieving heightened threat perception. See: