Tendinosis Healing

Tendinosis is also known as chronic tendonitis, an inflammation that causes a breakdown of the tendons (fibers that connect muscle to the bone) and persistent pain. Many standard and alternative supplements and treatment modalities are available to you to help manage the condition. Working with a health care professional experienced in treating this chronic condition can be a great way to design an effective long term treatment regimen that integrates multiple strategies

Standard drugs

• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), either in over-the-counter or prescription strength, can ease pain and inflammation.

  Lidocaine injections treat pain and inflammation. This can also be used topically to create a numbing sensation that blocks pain.

  Corticosteriods provide fast-acting relief from pain and inflammation. Repeated injections can weaken the tendon. An alternative process, iontophoresis, draws topically applied steroid creams into the skin through a gentle electric current.

Common therapeutic treatments

• Massage can loosen tight areas and provide pain relief. Flexibility and strengthening exercises along with physical therapy can improve range of motion and increase the muscle-tendon unit's ability to absorb more force. Ultrasonography employs high-frequency sound to warm areas of the body and increase blood supply. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) uses electricity to alleviate pain.

Nutritional supplements

• Vitamins A,C, and E promote healing and reduce inflammation. Take 15,000 international units daily, 250 to 500 milligrams twice a day, and 1,000 to 1,500 international units one to three times daily respectively. Essential fatty acids, like those found in fish oil or evening primrose oil, reduce inflammation; take 400 to 800 milligrams daily. Calcium and magnesium promote healing of the connective tissues and muscles. Take 1,500 milligrams and 750 milligrams daily respectively.

Herbal and homeopathic treatments

• The following herbal treatments all act on inflammation and pain. Bromelain, 250 to 750 milligrams three times a day between meals. reduces swelling. Take curcumin, 200 to 400 milligrams three times a day, between meals. White willow tea contains salicin, a similar component of aspirin. Use two to three teaspoons in water and drink three times a day. Avoid this treatment if you are allergic to aspirin or take blood-thinning medications. Drink three cups of licorice tea daily, but avoid this herb if you have high blood pressure or heart failure.

  Topical homeopathic remedies for this condition include arnica cream, calendula officinalis, hammelis virginiana, aconitum napellus, and belladonna. You can apply three to six times a day.

  Internal remedies should be taken as directed on the product label. Byronia treats pain that worsens in the cold and improves with warmth. Phytolacca treats pain that feels worse in heat. Rhus toxicodendron is best for tendonosis that feels worse in the morning. Rhododendron is most effective when barometric pressure changes in the weather worsen symptoms.