Tendonitis mostly occurs on account of repetitive motion of joints, caused by athletic or occupational activities.
Such chronic overuse leads to severe pain and inflammation in the fibrous tissues or tendons that attach muscles to these joints. Achilles tendonitis and tennis elbow are classic examples of tendonitis. Home remedies for this condition focus on pain relief and suppression of swelling. Take a look at these effective home remedies for tendonitis.
Home Remedies For Tendonitis – Top Tips
Take Ample Rest
Avoid strenuous activities that stress your injured tendon. Rest is a very important factor for healing injured tendons. Give ample rest to your pulled tendon. Complete bed rest is not required for mild cases of tendonitis.Make sure you do not ignore the pain and work through it. Sufficient rest will reduce pain and inflammation caused by tendonitis.
Compression
Use compression bandages or elastic wraps to wrap your joints till the swelling has subsided. Swelling makes normal motion difficult for the affected joint. Compression bandages provide support to the joints and tendons besides making the swelling subside.
Support The Injured Area
You can use a crutch or splint to support the injured tendon area while moving. Supporting the injured area reduces strain on it and accelerates the healing process.
Ice Packs
In mild cases of tendonitis, apply an ice pack to the injured tendon area, for 20 minutes, twice a day.Ice makes the swelling subside and alleviates the pain. You can also opt for an ice slush bath or a reusable frozen gel pack for the purpose.
Heat Application
In moderate to severe cases of tendonitis, application of heat to the affected area is often prescribed. Heat improves blood circulation to the afflicted tendon and surrounding muscles, reducing inflammation and swelling. Application of heat can be performed using ultrasound therapy.This reduces fluid build up and swelling. Another method is to dip a towel in hot water. Wring out excess water and place the towel on the desired area of your body. Repeat this for 15 minutes, twice a day. This gives relief from pain and inflammation immediately.
Elevation
If tendonitis has affected your foot or knee, keep your lower leg elevated, preferably above the level of your heart. Do this whenever possible, for a few days. Elevation reduces swelling and inflammation caused by tendonitis.
Mild Exercise
Tendon strain followed by a period of rest may cause the muscles and tissues surrounding the joints, to become weak and stiff. To resume normal functioning and fitness without re-injuring the tendon, mild exercises must be performed.Make sure you move the affected area within its range of comfort without putting additional strain on it. Consider doing simple stretching exercises of very short duration, 3 to 4 times a day. However, do note that exercise must be resumed only after swelling in the affected region has subsided.
In case your condition worsens or does not improve, consult a doctor for further course of action to be taken. He may put you on medication to relieve pain and swelling or opt for surgery in a worst case scenario.
