A common injury among athletes, tendonitis occurs when a tendon suffers damage and becomes inflamed and painful. The Cleveland Clinic says that several factors may cause this musculoskeletal health problems, including infections, incorrect posture, an inadequate warmup before activity and stresses from other conditions or medications. Nutritional support has always been an important part of a balanced tendonitis treatment plan. Ask your physician if nutritional support is appropriate for you and your condition.
Tendonitis
Tendonitis, according to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, is usually a temporary condition, although it may recur. Because your tendons are located near your joints, tendon inflammation may be felt as joint pain, which is commonly mistaken for arthritis. Some of the most commonly experienced symptoms associated with tendonitis include pain and stiffness in your affected area that is worse with movement and reduced motion in nearby joints. Tendonitis-related pain may also be worse at night, according to the medical center.
Nutritional Support
Nutritional support, especially in the form of nutritional supplements, may be a helpful contribution to your tendonitis treatment plan, although further scientific testing examining the effectiveness of these supplements may be necessary. In her book "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth," naturopathic physician Sharol Tilgner states that rue is one of the best nutritional supplements in treating tendonitis. Other effective nutritional supplements for this condition may include free-form amino acid, proteolytic enzymes, meadowsweet, MSM and pycnogenol.
A Commonly Used Supplement
Meadowsweet may be one of the most commonly used nutritional supplements in treating tendonitis. According to naturopathic physician William A. Mitchell Jr., author of "Plant Medicine in Practice," meadowsweet contains certain bioflavonoids that help treat your pain and reduce your inflammation. Meadowsweet has historically been used in treating muscle, skin and nerve inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis, colds, flu and numerous other ailments. Extracts from the flowers are used in nutritional supplements.
Warning
Tendonitis, though usually not a serious or life-threatening health problem, can significantly impair your quality of life and make it difficult to perform your usual daily activities. If you develop the characteristic signs and symptoms of this musculoskeletal health problem, meet with your doctor to review your treatment options. Natural therapies, including the use of nutritional supplements, come with their own set of risks. Understand the merits and drawbacks of natural treatments before using them.
References
- Cleveland Clinic: Achilles Tendonitis Overview
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center: Bursitis and Tendonitis
- "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth"; Sharol Tilgner, N.D.; 1999
- "Plant Medicine in Practice"; William A. Mitchell Jr., N.D.; 2003
