The Thinking Practitioner

Whitney interviews tendon expert Dr. Jill Cook, who discusses the current understanding of tendinopathy as a degenerative condition, emphasizing the importance of proper loading in rehabilitation. She explains why she advises against traditional treatments like friction massage and stretching, why anti-inflammatory medications are ineffective, and highlights the risks of certain drugs on tendon health. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Cook provides evidence-based insights for all manual therapists on treating tendinopathies effectively.

Key Topics:

1. Shift from thinking of tendinopathies as inflammatory conditions to degenerative conditions (03:01 - 04:24)


2. Factors that contribute to pain in tendinopathies (04:40 - 05:41)


3. Clinical signs and symptoms of tendinopathy (06:06 - 08:34)


4. The role of loading and compression in tendon pathology (08:54 - 16:45)


5. Treatment strategies for tendinopathies, including friction massage and anti-inflammatory medications (19:06 - 31:48)


6. Medically-induced tendinopathies, such as those caused by fluoroquinolone antibiotics (32:05 - 35:04)


7. The role of active movement and soft tissue treatments in tendinopathy rehabilitation (35:30 - 38:29)

Get the full transcript at Til or Whitney's sites!

• Whitney Lowe’s site: AcademyOfClinicalMassage.com


• Til Luchau’s site: Advanced-Trainings.com

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Jill Cook: [email protected]


• Fairclough J, Hayashi K, Toumi H, et al. The functional anatomy of the iliotibial band during flexion and extension of the knee: implications for understanding iliotibial band syndrome. J Anat. 2006;208(3):309-316. doi:JOA531 [pii] 10.1111/j.1469-7580.2006.00531.x

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About Whitney Lowe | About Til Luchau | Email Us: [email protected]

(The Thinking Practitioner Podcast is intended for professional practitioners of manual and movement therapies: bodywork, massage therapy, structural integration, chiropractic, myofascial and myotherapy, orthopedic, sports massage, physical therapy, osteopathy, yoga, strength and conditioning, and similar professions. It is not medical or treatment advice.)