How to Treat Tendonitis Using Natural Remedies

Whether it’s around the base of the thumb, elbow, shoulder, knee, hips, or Achilles tendon, the pain caused by tendonitis is frustrating, to say the least. It may start as a minor tingling sensation which gradually worsens over time or suddenly feels severe without warning.

If you’re concerned or unsure about the cause of the ache, it’s best to see your doctor. In many cases, however, the pain should be manageable when you give it a rest and apply some home remedies.

First off, know the cause of the pain

Causes and remedies of tendonitis. (Image Source: Pexels)

Tendonitis, also referred to as tendinitis, is a chronic condition caused by either an injury that hasn’t fully healed, repetitive trauma, or serious damage. The pain is caused by the inflammation or irritation of a tendon often caused by repeated movements. You need to be extra careful when using equipment for home gym or working out in a fitness center so as not to inflame your tendons.

This is why it’s common among those who engage in gardening, landscaping, shoveling, woodworking, construction work, scrubbing, painting, or sports that require repetitive use of specific parts of the body such as tennis, baseball, golf, skiing, etc.

Poor posture and medical conditions that cause weakness in the muscle, such as gout, rheumatoid arthritis, and blood or kidney problems also contribute to the risk of tendonitis.You need to make sure you have the correct posture when doing back and biceps workouts or any other routine that can strain your muscles.

So what home and natural remedies can you do for tendonitis?

Rest it, Ice it

A little rest can go a long way. While it may feel like you’re cheating on your fitness when you’re not exercising, resting will give your body that much needed time to heal naturally. If the tendonitis becomes painful, the most logical thing to do is give it a rest.

Resting for a couple of weeks or until the symptoms subside is far better than pushing through the pain and risking a more serious injury. For more serious cases, you may need a month or six weeks to fully recover.

Also, ice is the most common first-aid remedy for inflammation. It relieves pain by numbing the area.

When getting back to regular exercises, it is best to take it slowly and get enough breaks. The last thing you want is to aggravate the pain and go back to square one.

Massage

Get not just any massage, but transverse friction massage. This technique was developed for treating tendonitis. The strokes are deeper and applied directly to the affected area, perpendicular to the tendon’s direction. This massage works in reducing pain by improving the blood flow to the affected and surrounding areas, averting the formation of scar tissue, and helping to bond the connective tissue.

While it may be tempting to jump into this remedy right away, there are some factors that you need to consider before getting this natural treatment. Those with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, unhealed fractures, deep vein thrombosis, recent heart attacks, burns, open wounds, pregnant, and cancer patients should seek their doctor’s approval first.

Also, broken, blistered, and infected skin should not be massaged. Additionally, it is important to note that deep pressure massage tends to do more harm than good for people with nerve disorders, hematoma, and rheumatoid tendonitis.

Before getting this kind of remedy, make sure your massage therapist knows your complete health history.

Change Your Diet

Not many people know this, but your diet actually plays a big role in injury prevention as well as in the pain treatment for injuries and chronic conditions caused by inflammation. Thus, you need to help your body by avoiding inflammatory triggers.

It’s recommended that you consume more of the following:

Green, leafy vegetables are a natural remedy for tendonitis. (Image Source: Pexels)

– Veggies

These are rich in antioxidants that are needed by your body to fight oxidative stress which is a primary cause of inflammation. They are also packed with vitamins C and K along with other minerals necessary for healing. Add cooked or raw vegetables in every meal as much as possible. Broccoli, kale, and spinach are just some of the best veggies for inflammation.

– Protein

Protein isn’t just for muscle building, it’s also necessary for the repair of broken-down tissues. Thus, when you’re deficient in protein, your body will feel weak, fatigued, and sore from exercise. You will also need a longer time to recover between workouts.

Protein, fortunately, comes in different forms. You can get it easily from shakes. The best sources, however, are organic and lean such as cage-free eggs, wild-caught fish,grass-fed beef. Spinach is also high in protein. These foods also contain zinc, which is important for tissue repair and development. You can also add to your shake a glass of milk mixed with protein powder tastes better.

– Bone broth

Bone broth is high in collagen, a necessary nutrient for repairing damaged tendons. It is also used for treating ligament injuries, strains, and sprains.

– Berries

Berries are rich in Vitamin C which helps your body rebuild collagen. Green vegetables, citrus fruits, pineapples, squash, and bell peppers are also great sources of vitamin C.

– Food high in potassium and magnesium

Avocadoes, bananas, coconut water, and green vegetables are high in potassium and magnesium which speed up healing, muscle recovery, and promote healthy blood circulation.

Which of the above natural remedies are you most interested in trying? Any and all of them are sure to help ease the pain from tendonitis.