Tendinitis - Complementary and Alternative Treatments

Nutrition and Supplementation

Although there really is no change that can be generated through diet, supplements play an important role in treating tendinitis. Nutritionists recommend the following daily regimen:

Most Important

• calcium (1500 mg)-repairs connective tissue
• magnesium (750 mg)-necessary for proper muscle function
• free-form amino acid complex (as directed on label)-promotes healing
• proteolytic enzymes (as directed on label)-fights inflammation
• vitamin A (15,000 IU; do not exceed 8000 IU if you are pregnant)-repairs tissue
• mixed carotenoid formula (25,000 IU)-an antioxidant and precursor of vitamin A
• vitamin C with bioflavonoids (3000 to 8000 mg in divided doses)-reduces inflammation; forms connective tissue
• zinc(30 mg; do not exceed a total of 100 mg from all supplements)-important in all enzyme systems and tissue repair

Also Recommended

• hydrolyzed collagen (as directed on label)
• bromelain (as directed on label)
• sea cucumber (as directed on label)-reduces inflammation

(For an acute condition, take supplements until your symptoms subside. If symptoms persist, seek the advice of your health care provider. For a chronic condition, consult your health care provider regarding the duration of treatment.)

Ayurvedic Medicine

Ayurvedic practitioners may advise using a turmeric-salt paste or an Indian bdellium paste to reduce swelling and
inflammation caused by tendinitis. (Be aware that turmeric will stain fabric and skin.) They also may recommend cool compresses and gentle stretching to improve circulation.

Bodywork and Somatic Practices

Any manual therapy that can open the restricted connective tissue is most effective in reducing pain, inflammation, and immobility. Look into sports massage, trigger point myotherapy, Trager, Hellerwork, Rolfing, CranioSacral Therapy, and Oriental bodywork. Therapeutic Touch can help reduce inflammation. Further on in the healing, use Feldenkrais, Alexander Technique, Trager, and Aston-Patterning for postural alignment and enhanced structural effciency.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture The inflammation and pain caused by tendinitis may be lessened with acupuncture, which improves the flow of blood to the affected area, thereby speeding recovery. The acupuncturist focuses on different points, depending upon the location of the tendinitis. For shoulder pain, points along the stomach, bladder, and large and small intestine meridians are worked. Hip pain requires the manipulation of points along the gallbladder meridian, while thumb pain usually involves inserting needles into points on the arm, hand, and wrist that are related to the small intestine and lung lines.

Acupressure To alleviate shoulder pain, the acupressurist may concentrate on Large Intestine 11 and 14, Gallbladder 21, Stomach 38, Bladder 57, and Triple Warmer 14. An aching hip may be remedied by working Gallbladder 29, 30, and 34; Stomach 31; and painful points in the affected area. Thumb pain may be treated by firmly pressing on Large Intestine 4 and 5.

Chinese Herbal Therapy Herb formulas that may be helpful in strengthening weakened tendons include polygala, polygonatum cirrhifolium, and caltrop. Pseudoginseng and Dragon Blood is an herbal combination remedy often prescribed to treat tendinitis. There also are many liniments for this condition.