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Tendonitis - Causes, Symptoms And Home Remedies For The Treatment of Tendonitis

Alternative names : Muscle sprains and Strains

Muscles are specialized cells and tissues which are placed together as a bundle or organ, which by its contraction produces movement in an organism. The ends of each muscle organ have specialized cells which are strong and fibrous, yet maintain the elasticity of the muscles. These cells form attachments to bones or cartilage, to form an anchorage from where the action of movement begins or ends. These ends are called tendons. Similar cell and tissue collections are present between the bony ends of the participating bones of a joint, which support and strengthen movement in a joint. These are called ligaments and are attached either to the bony ends of joints or the cartilage covering them.

Causes and symptoms for tendonitis.

When strenuous exercise is done without adequate warming up, or sudden movement takes place at a joint, these muscle or ligament fibres get ever-stretched and even torn, resulting in a strain. When fibres of the cartilaginous capsule covering a joint get torn, it is called a sprain. When there is displacement of bony surfaces from their normal position during such an injury, it results in a dislocation. The shoulder, elbow, knee and ankle joint are very susceptible to sudden stresses. Such injuries usually result in swelling at the site. A swelling, which slowly develops at the site of the muscle/tendon injury, is usually a sprain. This is due to bleeding within the joint cavity. It takes 24 - 48 hours for a sprain to show up with a swelling. In sprains, some movement, though painful, is still possible, but in a dislocation or fracture there is no movement possible, and obvious deformity will be immediately visible. Some of the common symptoms of tendonitis may includes:

• A sharp or achy pain.
• Tenderness and swelling.
• Restricted movement in the area surrounding the injury.
• Weakness in the arm or leg due to pain.

Natural home remedies for the treatment of tendonitis.

• Take two tablespoons of sesame-seed or sunflower oil (or any cooking medium), add a tablespoon of turpentine or kerosene to it, and then apply it as a linament.
• Half a teaspoonful of camphor, added to one-fourth cup of sunflower oil and gently massaged/ rubbed in, soothes a sprain.
• A few cloves of garlic, pounded and mixed with olive or mustard oil, applied with a warm bandage/poultice, gives relief from pain.
• A teaspoon of fresh ginger paste, to which a level teaspoon of turmeric powder is added, should be applied liberally on the sprain area and bandaged lightly. If there is a swelling already, then add a little salt to this paste.
• Crush a handful of eucalyptus leaves, a few cloves, 10-12 mint leaves, a few sprigs of coriander leaves, and grind them together. Add 1-2 tablespoons of very warm coconut oil, and apply locally. This will give temporary relief while its warm.

Note: If the pain worsens or continues after home treatment for over 14 days, a doctor should be consulted.

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