How to get rid of tendonitis or tendinopathy?
What is tendinitis or tendinopathy?
Tendinitis or "tendinopathy" means suffering at the level of a tendon. The tendon corresponds to the part or parts of the muscle located at the extremities and which attaches to the bone. Therefore, any tendon can be affected, depending on the physical activity or repetitive movements. This is why some people suffer from elbow (tennis elbow or golf elbow), others from the knee (patellar tendinopathy) or the shoulder.
Tendonitis affects 1/3 of athletes. This pathology can last for months or even years.
From simple tendinopathy to complete rupture of the tendon, the severity of this condition is very variable.
Simple tendonitis is a slight inflammation that causes pain when the tendon is palpated, stretched and contracted.
The diagnosis of a tendonitis is made mainly on the clinical side. However, it can also be confirmed and clarified by an ultrasound, more rarely by arthroscopy or MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging).
Treatment of tendonitis
The best treatment for tendonitis is a combination of several therapeutic methods.
No rest! Mobilization, work without constraints but no complete rest!
It is necessary to limit the constraints on your suffering tendon but in no case to rest it completely. It is the mobilization of the tendon and its work that allows the treatment of a tendinopathy.
Osteopathy
The role of osteopathy is to treat the problem, such as the overuse of a tendon, but also its cause, such as a mechanical joint blockage and its consequences on the more or less adjacent structures. This is the reason why osteopathy has its place in the treatment of tendonitis. Indeed, a non-traumatized muscle is not supposed to suffer even if it is overused. If this is the case, it is because there is an osteo-articular blockage somewhere.
The osteopath's role will be to detect this problem, to remove it and to work locally on the tendon. Depending on the severity of your tendonitis, he will refer you to a physiotherapist for local work on the tendon.
Physiotherapy
Using different techniques (massage, shock waves, etc.), the physiotherapist will be able to work on the affected muscle and tendon in order to relieve the patient and limit the inflammation. His work on the tendon can also help restore the damaged structure of the tendon. In cases of severe tendinopathy, physical therapy is essential in addition to osteopathy.
Kinesiological taping (K-tape)
Kinesiotaping or K-tape are the colored bands that can be seen on many athletes. Unlike strapping, which aims to immobilize, kinesiotaping allows movement. The variations in band tension will optimize lymphatic drainage by lifting the skin, which limits pressure and irritation of the skin's mechanoreceptors. Thus, the inflammation is more easily drained and the pain is reduced.
Used for curative or preventive purposes, these bands are well known to physiotherapists and some osteopaths who can apply them as a complement to their consultation.
Cryotherapy
Food and plants
- Water: 60% of an adult's body is made up of water. Not drinking enough is like driving a car with little oil. With time, warning lights will appear as well as pains in the body, then the engine will not work and this will translate into an impossibility to make a particular movement.
- Alkalizing foods: these will have the role of decreasing the acidity of the pH of the body and limit inflammation. The lemon cure is a good example. Contrary to our beliefs, lemon is actually alkalizing, basic once assimilated by the body. Of course, it is acidic, especially in taste, but once ingested it will become basic.
- Green clay poultice: thanks to its natural anti-inflammatory effects, the application of green clay on the painful tendon has its place in the treatment of this pathology. Thus, put a good layer of clay on the tendon, do not go to the economy, wrap the whole with cellophane paper and let rest for 2 to 3 hours. In the form of paste or powder, green clay will always be useful and can even be used as a beauty mask.
- Some essential oils like arnica, wintergreen...
Medicine
- NSAIDs are ineffective in cases of tendonitis since there are no inflammatory cells!
- Infiltrations
- Operation in some, rare cases
Marie Messager
Osteopath D.O in Versailles Chantiers
78 - Yvelines
