Healing Tendonitis

Muscles and tendons of our body play an extremely crucial role in helping us with the wide array of movements we do all through the day and probably all our life. Tendons at the joints are basically what are used to the most, even without we being conscious about them. We are so used to those body parts that we do not sometimes realize their significance. If we ignore them and do not take care of them, at some point they are bound to give up. They are going to tell you on their own that they need rest! One such scenario is tendonitis.

Tendonitis is a way for the tendons to tell us that they need a well deserved break. Healing tendonitis takes time, but it generally varies depending on the seriousness of the injury and the kind of medication. But before we get into that, we need to see a bit about what is tendonitis.

Tendonitis

Tendonitis, simply put, is the inflammation and irritation of the tendons, most often than not, around the joints. Achilles tendonitis and patellar tendonitis are the most common amongst the types of tendonitis. Burning sensation around the entire joint, pain, stiffness and swelling is what characterizes tendonitis. Pain worsens during and post an activity and can lead to further stiffness of tendons and joints. It can be caused by aging, an injury or repetitive stress on the joint or even other conditions like bursitis may cause swelling of tendons. But how to heal it? Here is the answer.

How to Heal Tendonitis?

Immobilization of the Joint
The first and the foremost thing to be done in case of tendonitis is to give a complete rest to that tendon. Immobilizing it, and avoiding further joint pain, is the key. A splint or a brace may be helpful for that purpose. Straining and not resting the already damaged tendon could lead to serious damage to the tendons.

Medication
Non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory medicines would be needed to reduce the pain and swelling. However, taking these medicines for a long time should be avoided, for they can have significant side effects. Another thing which could be done is consulting your doctor about steroid injections, These injections can bring about faster relief as it can be injected straight away in the tendon sheath for accelerating the healing process and decreasing pain.

Vitamins and Herbs
If you ask, all these above were fine, but what about healing tendonitis naturally? Well, if you want to get rid of tendonitis naturally, the best bet is vitamins and herbs. A herb and vitamin course could also prove helpful in dealing with tendonitis. Vitamin C, A, E, calcium, magnesium, bromelain and essential fatty acids are essential. Methyl sulfo methyl, (MSM) an organic type of sulfur found in human body also has a relaxing effect on the joints. MSM supplements are a good option. Boswellia Serrate, a herb which helps in countering the swelling and encouraging healthier joints and glucosamine, a natural supplement which facilitated rebuilding of lost cartilage amongst others could be very effective in recovery from tendonitis.

Physiotherapy and Cold Compression
Strengthening the damaged or weakened tendons is necessary to bring them back to normalcy. Thus, engaging in light stretching and tendon strengthening exercises (after gauging the condition of the tendons) will provide further relief. Cold compression, or ice pack would further bring the swelling down and soothe the frayed tendons.

In case all these go in vain and there is no improvement in the condition, it means that the matter has become serious and the only thing left to do is to undergo a surgery. After the doctor analyzes the tendon, he may prescribe (if required) shortening or elongating the tendon through surgery.

These are the things involved in healing tendonitis. Although not a very pleasant scenario to be in, one thing is sure. We take care of our most 'taken for granted' body parts due to such a scenario, which ironically are single-handedly responsible for our body movements. This is where I sign off! Take Care!