THE FOLLOWING ARE SYMPTOMS AND CONDITIONS COMMONLY TREATED BY THE WASHINGTON ACUPUNCTURE CENTER. TENDONITIS and TENOSYNOVITIS Tendonitis is inflammation of a tendon. Tenosynovitis is inflammation of the sheath of the tendon, which contains lubricating fluid. Both conditions are frequently found together in rheumatic conditions or may result from muscle and joint injuries, systemic or local infections or metabolic disorders. The most common locations are the shoulder, wrist, hip, knee and heel (Achilles tendon). Injection of cortisone derivatives and procaine may relieve symptoms but can result in nerve irritation and aggravate the symptoms. Sometimes surgery is performed for what is considered to be "stenosing tensynovius" but may make symptoms worse. Application of heat or cold is not usually helpful and splinting may lead to reduced mobility and calcification. Drugs are ineffective, except for temporary analgesia, and may give undesirable side effects. Acupuncture usually relieves pain and stiffness after the first few treatments. It cannot remove calcium deposits but can improve metabolism in conjunction with nutritional therapy, which should be continued after acupuncture is completed. Six to ten acupuncture treatments are usually adequate for relief. next