What Cholesterol, Statins, and Chronic Inflammation Are Doing to Your Tendons and Fascia (and Why It Matters for Pain and Recovery)

I’ll be honest, I didn’t know much about statins until a few patients brought them up.

Like most people, for many years I assumed cholesterol was just a cardiovascular issue, something your doctor checked on a blood test and prescribed medication for.

But what caught my attention wasn’t the heart; it was the body’s connective tissue.

Over the years, patients have came to me with chronic Achilles pain, lingering shoulder tension, or post-surgery fascial tightness that sometimes didn’t improving the way we expected. My stubborness on not giving up lead me to find that many of them had one thing in common:

They were taking statins for high cholesterol.

That’s when I started digging and what I found made me look at cholesterol and inflammation in an entirely new way.

How Cholesterol (and the Meds That Lower It) Affect Tendons and Fascia

Most people associate high LDL cholesterol with clogged arteries. But what’s often overlooked is that LDL particles also:

• Penetrate soft tissues

• Trigger low-grade inflammation

• Alter how tissues remodel and repair

That includes tendons, ligaments, fascia, and even muscle recovery after workouts or surgery.

It turns out, high LDL cholesterol has been linked to slower tendon healing, more fibrosis (the thickening or scarring of tissue), and poor collagen turnover; all of which can lead to persistent pain or limited mobility.

Naturally, when doctors see high LDL, their immediate priority is to lower the number because that’s the metric most closely tied to heart attack and stroke risk.
But the deeper question is often missed:

Why was LDL high in the first place? What actually caused the dysfunction?

That’s the root problem:

• Chronic inflammation from poor diet, stress, and inactivity

• Insulin resistance and blood sugar imbalances

• Poor liver function, which affects cholesterol processing

• Lack of proper recovery and tissue turnover

• Mitochondrial dysfunction in muscle and fascia cells

Statins may lower the lab result, but they don’t resolve these upstream dysfunctions. And in some cases, they may even interfere with tissue healing which is especially important if you’re recovering from surgery, dealing with chronic tendon pain, or trying to get back to full strength.

What the Research Is Starting to Show

A 2023 study of over half a million people found that statin users had a 43% higher risk of tendinopathy—especially early in treatment (PubMed).

Lab studies show that statins:

• Reduce collagen production

• Increase enzymes that break down tendon matrix

• Alter tenocyte function, which are the key cells responsible for tendon repair (PMC study)

The Achilles tendon, rotator cuff, and knees seem especially vulnerable—often the same areas patients come in complaining about.

And yes—these issues can show up even in people who’ve never had a major injury… just wear-and-tear plus inflammation over time.

Why It Matters to Me (And to You)

In my practice, I work with biomechanical imbalances, the hidden compensation patterns that cause overuse, inflammation, and pain. But as I started putting the puzzle pieces together, I realized something:

You can move perfectly, but if your body is inflamed from the inside due to cholesterol, medications, or other stressors—your fascia, tendons, and muscles still struggle to heal.

That’s why these topics now live at the heart of my approach. Not to treat cholesterol (that’s your doctor’s job and mostly your own) but to make you aware of what could be going on beneath the surface if you’ve been stuck in chronic pain or slow healing.

Especially if you’re:

• On statins

• Recovering from surgery

• Experiencing mysterious tightness or tension

• Or simply not bouncing back like you used to

How I Can Help Support Recovery (Even With These Risks in Play)

Through my Hypertonic Anatomy Model (HAM), I’ve identified thousands of muscle and fascial patterns related to stress, inflammation, and compensation. My sessions are built around:

Reactivating inhibited muscles that silently shift your mechanics
Releasing hypertonic fascia that locks down movement and blood flow
Creating an environment where the nervous system can switch out of ‘guarding mode’ and into repair

Whether you're about to undergo a procedure or you’re six months post-op and still not feeling right, I help support the soft tissue recovery process in a way that complements your body, not fights it.

My Message to You (and to Doctors Reading This Too)

If you’re on a statin or dealing with high cholesterol and struggling with musculoskeletal issues, don’t overlook the connection. The tissues that hold you together are influenced by the internal chemistry your body is bathed in every day.

And for those considering surgery?
These factors should absolutely be considered part of your risk profile and post-op recovery plan.

Pain and tightness aren’t always mechanical; sometimes, the dysfunction runs deeper. But with the right approach, you can absolutely support your system and feel better than you thought possible.

Want to Work Together?

If this sounds like you or someone you care about, I’d love to help.
Book an assessment or reach out with your story, and let’s see how we can support your recovery from the inside out.