Tendonitis, also known as tendinitis, is the inflammation of any tendon, which is the thick, connective cord that attaches bone to muscle. A person with tendonitis usually experiences pain near a joint. Tendonitis may occur in one area that has regular impact, or it can stem from a more serious injury. Sometimes tendonitis can be severe, leading to a ruptured tendon, and then surgery is required to repair the damage. Common names for tendonitis include:
- Golfer’s Elbow
- Pitcher’s Shoulder
- Tennis Elbow
- Jumper’s Knee
- Swimmer’s Shoulder
Repeating a particular movement over and over again is usually the cause of tendonitis. Certain movements, like pitching a baseball, put stress on the tendons needed to perform the given task. Some jobs require people to continually lift heavy objects or perform actions that can strain certain parts of the body. Improper technique can overwork the tendon and lead to tendonitis. One can also develop tendonitis after experiencing an injury or tearing a tendon. Common causes are listed below.
- Repeating a particular movement
- Improper form (in the case of lifting objects, Tennis Elbow, or Golfer’s Elbow)
- Age (tendons can weaken as people get older)
- Stress from other conditions (such as Rheumatoid Arthritis or Gout)
- Overuse (doing too much too soon)
- An infection (occasionally from a more severe animal bite to the hand or finger)
Give Yourself A Break
The best remedy for tendonitis is to give the body a break. Allow your body time to rest, avoiding the repetitive movement(s) that led to the pain. Preserving mobility helps eliminate the pain and reduce the amount of inflammation.
Ice Packs
Ice packs are always ideal when it comes to treating issues related to bone and joint health. Cold compressors can help reduce the initial swelling and pain. It’s best to ice the affected body part for at least 15 minutes a day, repeating it as needed.
Physical Therapy
Any type of physical therapy can help recondition the way the bones and joints function, and help the ability to use them. Attending physical therapy can help rehabilitate the affected area of tendonitis. After allowing the body time to rest, it’s important for it to also remember its functions. Hydrotherapy is one the best types of physical therapy. It involves doing exercises in specific temperatures of water, using the water’s energy and therapeutic properties to help heal and recover. The pain is less intense when exercises are done in water.
Aloe Vera Is Your Friend
Aloe vera, coconut oil, honey, and apple cider vinegar can be used as topical treatments. All of these natural things help remedy inflammation. These ingredients can also be added to things like dried lavender, chamomile, rosemary, comfrey leaf, and even garlic to prepare a homemade healing cream.
Brace Yourself
You may want to consider wearing a brace or splint to give the affected area a little extra support. A brace or splint also inhibits you from moving the body part too much, which can be helpful in the healing process. By isolating the inflamed tendon, you allow swelling to reduce, rest, and repair from the damage.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture, which involves pricking the skin with needles at specific points, has been known to help with the healing process of tendonitis. Having needles around the affected area can help neutralize pain, decrease inflammation, and promote healthy blood flow to that area of the body. Chinese medicine indicates the body’s energy force, commonly known as chi, regulates overall health.
Massage Therapy
Massage can be a soothing remedy to help decrease inflammation and promote healthy blood flow to the affected area of tendonitis. Massaging the tendon, while it may be sore, can help decrease the stress that has been put on it.
