Manganese Treatment for Tendinitis

Manganese is a mineral found in many different types of food. Also called manganum, manganese is used in alternative medicine to treat a variety of conditions, including Achilles tendinitis.

Background

• The Achilles tendon is a band of tissue that connects your heel with your lower leg. Just with your day-to-day movements, your Achilles tendon is subjected to three to 12 times your body weight, which poses a risk for inflammation of the tissue or tendinitis, according to AchillesTendon.com.

Function

• Manganese is a building block for tendons and other tissues, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. If you suffer from Achilles tendinitis, this means manganese can help relieve inflammation and strengthen the tendon.

Time Frame

• Treatment with manganese supplements for tendinitis usually involves a 25 mg to 100 mg dose twice each day for two weeks, followed by 10 mg to 15 mg twice each day until symptoms of the condition subside, according to the Podiatry Channel.

Risks

• Unfortunately, the recommended daily dosage for manganese is 10 mg to 11 mg. Risks posed by excessive levels of manganese include muscle rigidity, lack of coordination and tremors.

Considerations

• It is possible that the large dose of manganese will pose no harmful effects if used for only a short time to treat tendinitis; however, talk to your doctor about the treatment, particularly if you have liver disease, are pregnant or nursing or are taking prescription medications.