Tendon injuries can cause significant pain or discomfort and keep you from performing your usual activities of daily living. One of the most common causes of tendon problems is overuse tendinopathies, reports the American Academy of Family Physicians. In fact, overuse tendon injuries account for about 7 percent of all injury-related doctor visits in the United States. Before using nutritional treatments to help repair your injured tendons, review procedures, alternatives and risks with your doctor.
Tendon Injuries
Although tendons are extremely tough and resilient, overuse of your tendons -- which is common among athletes such as baseball players, tennis players and swimmers -- may cause pain. A sudden and traumatic injury may also cause tendon pain and damage. In some cases, your tendon might fray and eventually tear, notes the Cleveland Clinic, causing pain, swelling, inflammation and decreased range of motion in the affected area or body part. Most tendon injuries will respond to conservative care methods, including nutritional treatments.
Tendon Nutritional Supplements
Supplements may be among the most effective nutritional treatments for tendon repair, although some supplements used for this health purpose are not backed by extensive clinical research trials. Certified nutritional consultant Phyllis A. Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," reports that numerous nutritional supplements may be helpful in treating tendon injuries, including turmeric, calcium, magnesium, manganese, multivitamin and mineral complex, SAMe, silica, zinc and MSM. Rue, feverfew and goldenseal may also be helpful.
A Useful Nutritional Supplement
Manganese may be a useful nutritional supplement in the treatment of your tendon injuries, as this mineral helps strengthen damaged tendons and ligaments, states Balch. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, manganese is essential for proper brain and nerve function, connective tissue production and the synthesis of blood-clotting factors and sex hormones. Decreased levels of manganese in your body, notes the Center, may lead to certain health problems, such as weakness and bone malformation.
Warning
Tendon injuries should always be assessed by a qualified health care practitioner. If left untreated, tendon injuries may cause long-term musculoskeletal problems, including a buildup of scar tissue and reduced active range of motion. Although nutritional supplements may be safe and effective in treating your tendon injuries, not all nutritional supplements may be appropriate for you and your condition. Some supplements may cause undesired health effects if they are used incorrectly.
Speak with a physician specializing in clinical nutrition about the risks and benefits of nutritional supplements in treating your injury.
References
- "American Family Physician"; Common Overuse Tendon Problems; John J. Wilson, M.D., Thomas M. Best, M.D., PH.D.; Sept. 1, 2005
- Cleveland Clinic: Biceps Tendon Injuries
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch, CNC; 2010
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Manganese
