Your muscles are attached to bone by a tendon which is a fibrous, non-elastic tissue composed mainly of collagen. When this tendon becomes inflamed it's called tendinitis. When you get tendinitis, either it is acute tendinitis or it becomes chronic needing a longer duration of treatment. If you have tried to get help for months with little or no change it's most likely chronic tendinitis, also called tendinosis. Alternative therapy for tendinitis is discussed below. Also read about carpal tunnel syndrome here.
In this article, first we look at the symptoms you look for to diagnose tendinitis then the various options available for alternative therapy. The good news is you can prepare and use some of these alternative remedies at home. Note that tendinitis can affect any part of your body where there are tendons and commonly you are at risk if you have the following:
Diagnosis of tendinitis requires you to identify if you have symptoms described below before deciding on alternative therapy to administer for tendinitis. Your doctor correlates these symptoms with examination findings and does appropriate tests to confirm the diagnosis.
It's important that you know the regions of your body commonly affected. You use these different body regions a lot, hence they are prone to tendinitis. Depending on region affected, there is usually an interesting name assigned to the disease as described. The symptoms you expect are:
You feel pain in the region where the tendon has been compromised, either by a tear or inflammatory response.
The area with tendinitis may swell, which signifies inflammation of the region.
Due to the pain you may restrict movement of the affected joint, and the affected muscles contract to prevent further movement. This causes stiffness of the region
Your doctor enquires about the symptoms and examines you. There are simple manoeuvres, called provocative tests, which you undergo to help confirm the diagnosis.
You doctor orders an ultrasound scan (USS) or even better, magnetic-resonance imaging (MRI). The two investigations localize the area with inflammation or tendon tear, which appears either whiter or darker depending on the contrast selected. This helps plan the treatment approach and also give a prognosis. No invasive investigations are done routinely.
After the diagnosis has been made, you have to undergo treatment. Although there is conventional treatment, you should be aware of alternative therapy for tendinitis. The latter has an important role in managing tendinitis as it focuses on taking care not only of the affected body region, but the whole body. There is also emphasis on prevention of the condition together with stability of the mind, body and spirit. Let's look at the various forms of alternative medicine that are currently being used in no particular order of importance. You need to identify a combination of methods which gives better results amongst the ones listed.
This involves specific exercises and interventions that help relieve tendinitis. When you lift something your muscle contracts and shortens, but when the load is progressively increased, it lengthens under the force. Your physiotherapist uses this principle to carry out eccentric exercises, which strengthen the tendon. Eccentric exercises are done to promote healing of the tendon as opposed to concentric exercises, the latter which strengthen the contractile part of the muscle [2]. Be aware that there are cells in the tendon called tenocytes which release chemicals in response to mechanical movements.
You may also be given a brace to immobilize the tendon affected. As you are aware chances of you moving the joint with tendon injury are very high. This may be a full brace which prevents movement of both the tendon and joint or a partial brace which immobilizes the tendon only.
Another alternative therapy for tendinitis you may encounter is acupuncture. This is done by a qualified, registered acupuncturist who uses single-use needles to pierce specific spots on the body to help relieve the pain [3] of tendinitis. According to the practice, pain is a result of interrupted flow of energy in the body and by piercing these specific acupuncture points, you open gates and allow the energy to flow.
Deep tissue massage therapy [4] has been shown to be effective for tendinitis as another alternative therapy. Your therapist first warms the tissues by gentle massage with oil, and then slowly works into the tendon to break up any fibres. This promotes healing and increased blood flow to the area; hence vital nutrients are delivered to the site.
This is use of water for treatment of musculoskeletal problems and pain relief. You are asked to perform specific exercises by the therapist in the water. The good thing is it can still be administered even if you are unable to swim. The water's buoyancy assists in movement of muscles so exercises are more effective. Other properties of water like temperature, pressure etc are employed to stimulate blood flow hence promote healing in inflamed tendons and reduce pain. For tendinitis this alternative therapy also uses:
In this remedy you use essential oils to treat tendinitis and when massaged into the affected area, they penetrate tissue to reach where there is inflammation. Examples of common oils used are:
There are foods or herbs which have anti-inflammatory properties and also help relieve pain. Fortunately you find these products readily in your house and they are all natural so if you have tendinitis it's good alternative therapy.
White willow is a tree that originates from Europe and Asia. You can use its bark to make tea which has potent pain relief properties. It contains salicin, which relieves pain and reduces inflammation caused by tendinitis. To make the tea you add 1 or 2 teaspoons of the white willow powder to a cup of boiling water. Allow it to cool down then drink it two to three times a day and you experience relief of symptoms. You must not ingest large quantities as the salicin acts like aspirin[6].
You probably have consumed turmeric at some point and this bright yellow curry has some healing powers. It contains curcumin, which relieves inflammation. Apart from consuming it in food, you can also make a compress with turmeric. Simply add a little water to turmeric powder to make a paste and make a compress. Apply it on the area with tendinitis and it should relieve the pain.
This wonderful plant has gingerol in it, which has powerful anti-inflammatory effects. You can mix crushed ginger with warm water, drink that every day and it helps relieve the pain. It is as effective as Ibuprofen in relieving pain.[7]
Apple cider vinegar is ubiquitous in households and has anti-inflammatory properties. To use it make a compress with the vinegar, diluted 1:1 with water, and apply to the painful area. It helps relieve the pain and discomfort.
This is a wonder plant with a wide variety of medicinal uses including tendinitis. One of them is relief of inflammation and pain on the tendon affected. To use it take an Aloe Vera leaf and break it then apply the juice on the painful spot. Allow it to sit there for several minutes and it should relieve the discomfort. Do two to three times a week to get maximum benefit.
Bones contain collagen and if you make bone broth it provides proteins necessary for repairing inflamed tendons. You can make the broth by simmering bones of cow, pig, chicken etc in order to extract the essential minerals and proteins. This broth, packed with these nutrients, plays an important role if the tendinitis is chronic as the effects are long-term and requires you to take it daily.
Another natural remedy for tendinitis that is currently in use as alternative therapy is regenerative medicine. No medications are involved but treatment involves use of your own blood! Platelet-rich plasma is made by centrifuging or spinning your blood at high speed. The red blood cells are removed and the remaining concentrate contains platelets. These have growth factors and anti-inflammatory factors which when injected into the tendon affected promote healing naturally[8].
There are supplements you take to speed up healing and ease up the pain and these dietary supplements to help with tendinitis, especially if it’s chronic. Examples of these supplements are:
Now that you know that alternative therapy for tendinitis is available, it's not always that you need prescribed medications which may have side effects. Aspirin or Ibuprofen for example, can cause stomach upset if taken for a prolonged duration so these natural remedies go a long way in reducing pain and promoting healing. Read about heartburn in this article.
In this article, first we look at the symptoms you look for to diagnose tendinitis then the various options available for alternative therapy. The good news is you can prepare and use some of these alternative remedies at home. Note that tendinitis can affect any part of your body where there are tendons and commonly you are at risk if you have the following:
- Engage in repetitive tasks like typing, carpentry, gardening or painting
- Play sports like tennis, golf or skiing
- Take antibiotics like Ciprofloxacin, Norfloxacin, which may cause tendon rupture [1]
DIAGNOSIS
Diagnosis of tendinitis requires you to identify if you have symptoms described below before deciding on alternative therapy to administer for tendinitis. Your doctor correlates these symptoms with examination findings and does appropriate tests to confirm the diagnosis.
Symptoms
It's important that you know the regions of your body commonly affected. You use these different body regions a lot, hence they are prone to tendinitis. Depending on region affected, there is usually an interesting name assigned to the disease as described. The symptoms you expect are:
- Shoulder region: There is a group of muscles, called the rotator cuff, which stabilizes the shoulder joint. You get Rotator cuff tendinitis if respective tendons are affected.
- Biceps: There is a tendon which attaches the biceps muscle to the elbow region. If it is inflamed you get Biceps tendinitis.
- Elbow: Muscles of the forearm are attached to the elbow by tendons, which can get inflamed and you get Tennis elbow or Golfer's elbow.
- Wrist: Your wrist is not spared either as there are muscles attached to the region
- Hip: The hip has many muscles of the lower limbs attached to it and since hip joints are used a lot, respective tendons can become inflamed.
- Knee: The knee cap or patella has a tendon surrounding it and it can get inflamed causing Patellar tendinitis.
- Ankle: This region has the famous Achilles tendon and is commonly injured causing Achilles tendinitis.
- Pain
You feel pain in the region where the tendon has been compromised, either by a tear or inflammatory response.
- Swelling
The area with tendinitis may swell, which signifies inflammation of the region.
- Stiffness
Due to the pain you may restrict movement of the affected joint, and the affected muscles contract to prevent further movement. This causes stiffness of the regionExamination
Your doctor enquires about the symptoms and examines you. There are simple manoeuvres, called provocative tests, which you undergo to help confirm the diagnosis.
- The area inflamed is usually tender and a simple gentle tap over it causes pain
- Passive stretching of the tendon also causes discomfort. Here the doctor asks you to relax and flexes or extends the joint where the tendon inserts. If there is tendinitis, this passive movement induces pain by stretching the damaged fibres.
- A similar test is resistive contraction, where the doctor asks you to keep a joint in a certain position and tries to move it in the opposite direction. Your muscle naturally resists the movement and contracts thus putting tension on the tendon. If you have tendinitis, pain is felt in the tendon connecting that muscle to the joint.
- There may be an unnatural overstretching of the affected tendon. Instead of the tendon being a tough, non-elastic structure, it becomes more stretchable due to damaged fibres. Your doctor assesses this by trying to pull the tendon apart if it's in accessible areas like the Achilles tendon.
Imaging
You doctor orders an ultrasound scan (USS) or even better, magnetic-resonance imaging (MRI). The two investigations localize the area with inflammation or tendon tear, which appears either whiter or darker depending on the contrast selected. This helps plan the treatment approach and also give a prognosis. No invasive investigations are done routinely.
ALTERNATIVE THERAPY FOR TENDINITIS
After the diagnosis has been made, you have to undergo treatment. Although there is conventional treatment, you should be aware of alternative therapy for tendinitis. The latter has an important role in managing tendinitis as it focuses on taking care not only of the affected body region, but the whole body. There is also emphasis on prevention of the condition together with stability of the mind, body and spirit. Let's look at the various forms of alternative medicine that are currently being used in no particular order of importance. You need to identify a combination of methods which gives better results amongst the ones listed.
- Physical therapy
This involves specific exercises and interventions that help relieve tendinitis. When you lift something your muscle contracts and shortens, but when the load is progressively increased, it lengthens under the force. Your physiotherapist uses this principle to carry out eccentric exercises, which strengthen the tendon. Eccentric exercises are done to promote healing of the tendon as opposed to concentric exercises, the latter which strengthen the contractile part of the muscle [2]. Be aware that there are cells in the tendon called tenocytes which release chemicals in response to mechanical movements.You may also be given a brace to immobilize the tendon affected. As you are aware chances of you moving the joint with tendon injury are very high. This may be a full brace which prevents movement of both the tendon and joint or a partial brace which immobilizes the tendon only.
- Acupuncture
Another alternative therapy for tendinitis you may encounter is acupuncture. This is done by a qualified, registered acupuncturist who uses single-use needles to pierce specific spots on the body to help relieve the pain [3] of tendinitis. According to the practice, pain is a result of interrupted flow of energy in the body and by piercing these specific acupuncture points, you open gates and allow the energy to flow.
- Message therapy
Deep tissue massage therapy [4] has been shown to be effective for tendinitis as another alternative therapy. Your therapist first warms the tissues by gentle massage with oil, and then slowly works into the tendon to break up any fibres. This promotes healing and increased blood flow to the area; hence vital nutrients are delivered to the site.
- Hydrotherapy/Aquatic therapy
This is use of water for treatment of musculoskeletal problems and pain relief. You are asked to perform specific exercises by the therapist in the water. The good thing is it can still be administered even if you are unable to swim. The water's buoyancy assists in movement of muscles so exercises are more effective. Other properties of water like temperature, pressure etc are employed to stimulate blood flow hence promote healing in inflamed tendons and reduce pain. For tendinitis this alternative therapy also uses:- Water jets
- Underwater massage
- Mineral baths e.g. Iodine Grime therapy, Balneotherapy
- Heat distribution to the body
- Aromatherapy
In this remedy you use essential oils to treat tendinitis and when massaged into the affected area, they penetrate tissue to reach where there is inflammation. Examples of common oils used are:- Peppermint
- Arnica
- Lemon grass
- Wintergreen
- Eucalyptus oil
- Nutrition and herbs
There are foods or herbs which have anti-inflammatory properties and also help relieve pain. Fortunately you find these products readily in your house and they are all natural so if you have tendinitis it's good alternative therapy.White willow tea
White willow is a tree that originates from Europe and Asia. You can use its bark to make tea which has potent pain relief properties. It contains salicin, which relieves pain and reduces inflammation caused by tendinitis. To make the tea you add 1 or 2 teaspoons of the white willow powder to a cup of boiling water. Allow it to cool down then drink it two to three times a day and you experience relief of symptoms. You must not ingest large quantities as the salicin acts like aspirin[6].
Tumeric
You probably have consumed turmeric at some point and this bright yellow curry has some healing powers. It contains curcumin, which relieves inflammation. Apart from consuming it in food, you can also make a compress with turmeric. Simply add a little water to turmeric powder to make a paste and make a compress. Apply it on the area with tendinitis and it should relieve the pain.
Ginger
This wonderful plant has gingerol in it, which has powerful anti-inflammatory effects. You can mix crushed ginger with warm water, drink that every day and it helps relieve the pain. It is as effective as Ibuprofen in relieving pain.[7]
Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is ubiquitous in households and has anti-inflammatory properties. To use it make a compress with the vinegar, diluted 1:1 with water, and apply to the painful area. It helps relieve the pain and discomfort.
Aloe Vera
This is a wonder plant with a wide variety of medicinal uses including tendinitis. One of them is relief of inflammation and pain on the tendon affected. To use it take an Aloe Vera leaf and break it then apply the juice on the painful spot. Allow it to sit there for several minutes and it should relieve the discomfort. Do two to three times a week to get maximum benefit.
Bone broth
Bones contain collagen and if you make bone broth it provides proteins necessary for repairing inflamed tendons. You can make the broth by simmering bones of cow, pig, chicken etc in order to extract the essential minerals and proteins. This broth, packed with these nutrients, plays an important role if the tendinitis is chronic as the effects are long-term and requires you to take it daily.
- Regenerative medicine
Another natural remedy for tendinitis that is currently in use as alternative therapy is regenerative medicine. No medications are involved but treatment involves use of your own blood! Platelet-rich plasma is made by centrifuging or spinning your blood at high speed. The red blood cells are removed and the remaining concentrate contains platelets. These have growth factors and anti-inflammatory factors which when injected into the tendon affected promote healing naturally[8].
- Supplements
There are supplements you take to speed up healing and ease up the pain and these dietary supplements to help with tendinitis, especially if it’s chronic. Examples of these supplements are:- Omega 3 fats have anti-inflammatory effects and promote pain relief in the tendon.
- Multivitamins enable metabolic processes to run effectively, hence promote healing of your tendon.
- Calcium and magnesium are abundant minerals in the body needed for tissue growth, enzymatic processes and good functioning of blood vessels. All these processes are essential in tendon healing.
Now that you know that alternative therapy for tendinitis is available, it's not always that you need prescribed medications which may have side effects. Aspirin or Ibuprofen for example, can cause stomach upset if taken for a prolonged duration so these natural remedies go a long way in reducing pain and promoting healing. Read about heartburn in this article.