Natural Treatments For Tendonitis: Symptoms, Causes, & Tips

Tendonitis, or inflammation of your tendons, can happen due to sudden twists and falls. While ointments and painkillers can help you ease the pain, the natural treatments for tendonitis discussed in this article can provide immediate relief. Tendonitis can happen anytime during an intense workout or a sudden sprint, causing severe pain and distress! Therefore, it is important to take proper care to prevent further damage and soreness. These natural home remedies can come to your rescue until you get professional help. Read on to know more.

What Is Tendonitis?

Tendonitis is a medical condition that develops as a result of inflammation or irritation of a tendon – a thick cord of collagen tissue that attaches your bone to your muscle

. This condition is also commonly referred to as tendinitis.

Randy Ellefson, a guitarist and blogger, recounted his struggle with tendonitis that resulted from intensive guitar playing during his college years. He wrote, “The tendinitis (also spelled “tendonitis”) silently building in both arms suddenly came to life in August 1996. Temporarily crippled and unable to use my arms, I was unemployed for a year (i).

It can occur as a result of a repetitive but minor impact on the affected area or from serious injury. Wondering which areas of your body are more prone to tendonitis? Let’s find out.

Common Areas Affected by Tendonitis

While tendonitis can occur in part of your body where a tendon is connecting your bone to your muscle, it is more likely to occur in the:

• Base of your thumb
• Elbow
• Knee
• Hip
• Shoulder
• Achilles tendon

Tendonitis is classified into different types depending on the different body parts it affects.

Types Of Tendonitis

• Achilles Tendinitis – An injury to the Achilles tendon that may be caused by ill-fitting shoes or sports injuries. Knowing about some home remedies, such as ice packs, castor oil, etc., can help you treat Achilles Tendinitis effectively at the comfort of your home.
• Supraspinatus Tendonitis – It occurs when the tendon around your shoulder joint becomes inflamed.
• Peroneal Tendonitis – Inflammation of the peroneal tendons (located in the legs and ankles).
• Extensor Tendonitis – Inflammation of the extensor tendons located in your hands and feet.
• Patellar Tendonitis – Inflammation due to an injury to the tissues connecting the kneecap to your shin bone (patellar tendon).
• Golfer’s/ Tennis Elbow – Irritation of the tissue that connects your forearm muscle to your elbow. Knowing about Tennis Elbow causes, symptoms, and remedies can further help you tackle this situation better.
• De Quervain’s Stenosing Tenosynovitis – This type of tendinitis results from the inflammation of the sheath that surrounds your thumb tendons, between your thumb and wrist.
• Trigger Finger/Thumb – It is caused by the inflammation of the tendon sheath in your palms.
• Tendonitis Of The Wrist – It is a degenerative condition that affects the tendons of your wrist.

Inflammation of your tendon results in the signs and symptoms listed below.

Signs And Symptoms

The symptoms associated with tendinitis are:

• Pain in the affected and surrounding area: The pain can be gradual or sudden and severe in the presence of calcium deposits.
• Frozen shoulder or adhesive capsulitis: Loss of shoulder motion
• Pain that worsens upon movement
• Crackling or grating of tendons as they move
• Swelling
• Redness
• Development of a lump along the tendon

These symptoms can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks or even months.

Various activities can trigger or even worsen existing cases of tendonitis. They include the following.

Causes And Risk Factors

• Carpentry
• Raking
• Gardening
• Painting
• Shoveling
• Skiing
• Scrubbing
• Tennis
• Golf

Other factors that can increase your risk of developing tendonitis are:

• Sitting or sleeping in an incorrect posture at home or at work
• Not warming up before a strenuous workout or sports
• Medical conditions like rheumatoid arthritisⁱ  An autoimmune inflammatory disease that affects the tissue lining on both sides of the joints at once, causing intense pain. , goutⁱ  A type of arthritis that occurs when uric acid forms crystals in the joints and is characterized by pain, joint tenderness, and redness. , or psoriatic arthritisⁱ  A type of arthritis that affects people with the skin condition psoriasis (a skin disease).
• Overuse of the affected tendon
• Infections from a cat or dog bite

Trivia

Although anyone can get tendonitis, people over 40 are more prone to it. The tendons become less elastic with age, leading to tendonitis.

Diagnosis

To diagnose your condition, your doctor may ask you to:

• Get a physical examination done to look for an injured tendon.
• Get an X-ray to look for calcium deposition that will help confirm the diagnosis.
• Take other imaging tests like an ultrasound or MRI scan to look for swelling.

Once your diagnosis is confirmed, you may start looking for ways to alleviate your symptoms. Treatment will help in combating tendonitis faster and preventing your symptoms from worsening.

Before looking at the medical options to treat your condition, why not have a look at some natural treatments for tendonitis that are as effective but with fewer side effects? Keep scrolling!

Note: The first line of treatment for acute tendonitis should be RICE. R – Rest, I – Ice, C – Compresion, E – Elevation of the joint.

Natural Treatments For Tendonitis

1. Epsom Salt
2. Apple Cider Vinegar
3. Ice Packs
4. Bone Broth
5. Cayenne Pepper
6. Vitamin
7. Ginger
8. Castor Oil
9. Turmeric

Home Remedies To Treat Tendonitis

Since tendonitis occurs due to inflammation of a tendon, all you need to do is manage inflammation to alleviate its symptoms. From Epsom salt to ice packs and turmeric, numerous home remedies may help with this to significantly reduce swelling and pain. Let us take a look at these remedies.

1. Epsom Salt

You Will Need

• 1 cup of Epsom salt
• Water

What You Have To Do

1. Fill your bathtub with water.
2. Add a cup of Epsom salt to it and allow it to dissolve.
3. Soak in the Epsom salt bath for 15 to 20 minutes.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this at least once daily.

Why This Works

Epsom salt is also known as magnesium sulfate. The presence of magnesium helps reduce the inflammation and swelling of your tendons (1).

2. Apple Cider Vinegar

You Will Need

• ½ cup of raw apple cider vinegar
• ½ cup of warm water
• A clean washcloth

What You Have To Do

1. Mix half a cup of apple cider vinegar with half a cup of warm water.
2. Soak a clean washcloth in this mixture, wring it and place on the affected area surrounding the tendon. Leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes
3. Remove the washcloth.
4. You can also mix a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water and drink daily.

How Often You Should Do This

You can apply an apple cider vinegar compress thrice daily.

Why This Works

Apple cider vinegar has powerful anti-inflammatory properties due to the presence of acetic acid in it

. It can help reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation (2).

3. Ice Packs

You Will Need

An ice pack

What You Have To Do

1. Apply an ice pack close to the affected tendon.
2. Leave it on for at least 10 minutes before taking it off.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 2 to 3 times daily for best results.

Why This Works

An ice pack helps reduce symptoms of inflammation and swelling when applied topically. It also numbs the affected area and relieves pain (3).

4. Bone Broth

You Will Need

A bowl of freshly prepared bone broth

What You Have To Do

Consume a bowl of freshly prepared bone broth.

How Often You Should Do This

Have bone broth once daily.

Why This Works

Bone broth contains nutrients like glucosamineⁱ  A chemical compound found naturally in cartilage, a tough tissue that cushions joints and helps reduce friction during movement. and chondroitinⁱ  A naturally occurring substance that forms the main component in the cartilage and prevents it from breaking down. that help in speeding the healing of your tendons (4).

5. Cayenne Pepper

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon of powdered cayenne pepper
• 2-3 teaspoons of olive oil

What You Have To Do

1. To a teaspoon of cayenne pepper powder, add a few teaspoons of warmed olive oil.
2. Massage this mixture gently onto the affected area.
3. Leave it on for at least 30 minutes before washing it off.
4. You can also mix a teaspoon of cayenne pepper in a glass of water and honey and drink daily.

How Often You Should Do This

You can apply cayenne pepper topically 2 to 3 times daily.

Why This Works

One of the main components of cayenne pepper is capsaicin. This compound exhibits analgesic activities that relieve pain and alleviate inflammation (5), (6).

6. Vitamin C

You Will Need

100-500 mg of vitamin C

What You Have To Do

Consume foods rich in vitamin C like citrus fruits, spinach, and kale or take additional supplements for it after consulting your doctor.

How Often You Should Do This

You must incorporate vitamin C into your daily diet.

Why This Works

Supplementation with vitamin C helps in speeding up the healing of inflamed tendons. This could be due to its anti-inflammatory properties as well as its ability to synthesize collagenⁱ  A protein found in the connective tissue of the body that gives structural support to the tissues and repairs them. (7).

7. Ginger

You Will Need

• 1-2 inches of ginger
• 1 cup of hot water

What You Have To Do

1. Add 1 to 2 inches of ginger to a cup of hot water.
2. Allow it to steep for 5 to 10 minutes.
3. Drink the hot ginger tea.
4. You can also soak a cloth in the ginger tea and apply it topically to the affected area.

How Often You Should Do This

Drink ginger tea twice daily for faster recovery from tendonitis.

Why This Works

Ginger is a herb that possesses powerful analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties due to the presence of gingerolⁱ  A chemical compound in ginger that stimulates the spice receptors on the tongue and contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. in it. These activities can help manage pain, inflammation, and other symptoms of tendonitis (8).

8. Castor Oil

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon of cold-compressed castor oil
• A warm compress

What You Have To Do

1. Take a tablespoon of cold-compressed castor oil in your palms.
2. Massage it gently around the affected tendon.
3. Place a warm compress over it and leave it on for about 20 minutes.
4. Remove the compress and rinse the oil off.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this twice daily.

Why This Works

Castor oil contains ricinoleic acid that possesses anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that can help alleviate pain and inflammation (9).

Quick Tip

You can substitute pumpkin seed oil for castor oil. Anecdotally, it is known for its pain-relieving properties.

9. Turmeric

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
• 1 glass of hot milk

What You Have To Do

1. Add a teaspoon of turmeric powder to a glass of hot milk.
2. Mix well and drink the concoction.
3. You can also make a paste with turmeric powder and water and apply it to the affected area.

How Often You Should Do This

You can do this once daily.

Why This Works

Turmeric contains curcumin. Curcumin possesses anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that can help in healing tendonitis and alleviating its symptoms (10), (11).

In addition to these natural treatments for tendonitis, there are some medical treatments available to alleviate the symptoms of this condition. They are discussed below.

Other Treatment Methods

Your doctor will first suggest you get enough rest and may even ask you to use ice packs

.

You may be prescribed painkillers like:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen
• Corticosteroidⁱ  A term used for a class of hormones produced by humans as well as an anti-inflammatory medicine used to treat inflammation. injections
• Physical therapy that may involve massaging the affected area

Your physiotherapist may also help you with a personalized rehabilitation plan that includes exercises designed to enhance flexibility and build strength. These will eventually help you regain your normal movement patterns and prevent re-injury in the long run.

If your condition persists and there are also calcium deposits surrounding the tendon, you may have to avail shock wave therapy. You can also consider wearing a splint or brace.

Consider Wearing A Splint Or Brace

When dealing with tendonitis, wearing a splint or brace can be a valuable component of your treatment plan. These supportive devices aid in several ways:

• Immobilization: Limits the movement of the affected joint or tendon, allowing it to rest. Reduced movement minimizes strain on the inflamed area.
• Stability: Provides stability to the affected joint, reducing the risk of further injury or aggravating the existing one.
• Pain Relief: By restricting movement and stabilizing the tendon, it can alleviate pain and discomfort associated with tendonitis.
• Improved Healing: Supports the body’s natural healing processes and prevents further inflammation.

However, It’s crucial to consult with a healthcare professional for guidance on the appropriate type of splint or brace for your specific condition.

If your condition deteriorates because of leaving the affected tendon untreated for too long, causing the tendon to rupture, you may need to undergo surgery.

For a holistic recovery from tendonitis, you must pay extra attention to your diet as well.

Best Diet For Tendonitis

Foods To Eat

Foods that help tendonitis are mostly anti-inflammatory. They include:

• Vitamin C-rich foods like citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, bell peppers, broccoli, and papaya
• Whole grains like brown rice, spelt, oats, and rye
• Omega-3ⁱ  Fatty acids commonly found in the form of supplements that are needed to maintain a healthy body. -rich foods like fatty fish, walnuts, flaxseed, canola oil, and chia seeds

Foods To Avoid

Avoid these foods:

• Foods containing saturated fats like high-fat dairy and meat like lamb and steak
• Refined grains like white bread, white pasta, pretzels, and low-fiber cereals
• Foods containing free sugar like candies, soft drinks, and pastries
• Caffeine
• Alcohol

In addition to getting the right nutrition, following a few prevention tips may help avert the recurrence of the condition.

Prevention Tips

• Practice exercises that help in stretching and strengthening the muscles surrounding your tendon.
• Warming up before and cooling down after a strenuous workout is also important to prevent tendinitis.
• Avoid repeated use of an injured tendon.
• Avoid being in one position for too long.
• Give yourself ample rest so that your body works towards repairing your tendon.
• Opt for acupuncture to speed up your recovery.
• Ensure you maintain the correct form as you perform different activities like lifting weights or doing repetitive tasks to reduce strain on tendons.
• Use appropriate footwear and supportive braces if necessary to help reduce strain and prevent tendon injuries.
• Avoid sudden increases in workout intensity, as this can strain tendons. Build up strength and endurance gradually.
• If working in repetitive positions like at a desk throughout the day, ensure your setup is ergonomic to reduce strain on tendons.

Infographic: 9 Natural Remedies For Tendonitis

Remedies for minor cases of tendonitis are lying around us in abundance. If the pain is uncomfortable yet manageable, you can follow the above mentioned remedies and tips as a safer alternative to medicine to alleviate the symptoms. We have summarized the natural remedies for tendonitis in an infographic below for your future reference. Have a look and save it for later.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

When to see a doctor for tendonitis?

See a doctor immediately if you experience recurring pain and/or swelling in the impacted area that does not subside despite rest or medications. This usually happens if you have ruptured your tendon.

What are the best essential oils for tendonitis?

Essential oils that are anti-inflammatory and analgesic can help a great deal in relieving tendonitis. A few such essential oils are lavender oil, peppermint oil, sweet marjoram oil, frankincense oil, helichrysum oil, lemongrass oil, and chamomile oil.

How painful is calcific tendonitis?

Calcific tendonitis is not of much concern unless the calcium deposits causing it to become inflamed or bigger. Calcium deposition mostly occurs in the muscles and tendons that surround your shoulder joints. Progression of this condition may have extremely painful results, and it is even capable of impairing your movement.

Does vitamin D help tendonitis?

Possibly. Vitamin D significantly contributes to the healing of tendon-to-bone injuries by boosting bone mineral density and fortifying the skeletal muscles (12).

Does CBD help with tendonitis?

Possibly. CBD is packed with anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that may help soothe tendonitis (13).

Is tendonitis a form of arthritis?

No. Tendonitis is the inflammation of a tendon, whereas arthritis is the inflammation of a joint. While both disorders occasionally coexist, having one does not necessarily predispose you to develop the other.

Illustration: Natural Treatments For Tendonitis - Symptoms Causes And Diet Tips

Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

You can relieve the pain of tendonitis quite efficiently with some effective home remedies. Check out this video to know how to reduce tendonitis inflammation and get back to living pain-free.

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. Sudhansu SinghBPT

   

Dr. Sudhansu Singh is a Physiotherapist, Sports and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist, and Neuro Physiotherapist with 8 years of experience. He is a member of the Federation of Indian Manual Therapists (FIMT) and an active member of the Delhi Council of Physiotherapy and FIMT Australia Association.

Read full bio of Dr. Sudhansu Singh

Shaheen NaserHealth & Wellness Writer

 

Shaheen holds a postgraduate degree in Human Genetics and Molecular Biology from Bharathiar University. She is a Geneticist with proficiency in Biotechnology, Immunology, Medical Genetics, Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Genetic Counseling.

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Arshiya SyedaCo-Editor-in-Chief

Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

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Dipti SharmaBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Dipti is a health and wellness writer specializing in holistic health practices. She graduated from Maharishi Dayanand University, Haryana, and has worked closely with Ayurvedic doctors, which has given her a deep understanding of traditional remedies and their applications.

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