Your tendons are the thick cord-like structures that join the bones to the muscles and when these tendons become inflamed the condition is termed tendonitis. Tendonitis makes your joints tender and causes acute pain. Sometimes the pain and discomfort are so severe that it diminishes mobility. Tendonitis can be treated by different methods, prescription medications, heat and ice therapy, cold laser therapy in Denver, etc.
For mild tendonitis, home remedies can work but for severe issues, you might need to see a doctor and get other therapies as well. Tendonitis can be caused by an injury, aging, conditions like diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis, or even certain antibiotics. Here are some treatment options for tendonitis that are quite effective.
Rest
When you are suffering from tendonitis, rest is a must. It is almost a universal treatment for tendonitis. If you are putting further stress on the injured tendons then it will only worsen your condition. Resting allows the tendons to heal and prevent any further damage. Take a couple of days’ break from any exercise, activity or sports, or other such activities and give your tendons as much stress as possible. Apply ice compress, take OTC NSAIDs to prevent pain and swelling as well.
Ice Therapy
Ice therapy is one of the most effective treatments for Tendonitis and helps reduce the swelling associated with it. You can apply a gel ice pack or wrap a towel around ice cubes to apply it to the affected area. Ice baths are also preferred by some. Apply ice to the affected area for about 20 minutes, several times a day for optimum results.
OTC Medications
You can take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory and steroid-free drugs (NSAIDs) to ease the pain and swelling associated with Tendonitis. Ibuprofen, naproxen, and sometimes acetaminophen can also be effective for pain relief. If even after taking a couple of the medications, the condition isn’t improving then you will need to get medical treatment.
Compression
Swelling in the tendons can often lead to loss of movement in the affected joint. So compressing the area until the swelling has subsided will help with the condition. Compressive elastic bandages and wraps are available in pharmaceutical stores and you can wrap them around the affected area to help treat the condition of tendonitis.
Exercise
Rest alone cannot be enough to treat tendonitis, sometimes you will also need to move the joint to regain your mobility in the area. Once the pain and swelling associated with tendonitis have subsided somewhat you will need to slowly start exercising to restore the function of the tendon. Consult a physiotherapist and they will suggest exercises that slowly stretch and contract the muscles in the affected area and rehabilitate them gradually.
Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care can help with tendonitis as well. The chiropractor will first conduct an assessment of your condition and then suggest a combination of several therapies and treatments like ice therapy, electrical muscle stimulation, temporary immobilization, manual trigger point therapy, laser therapy, strengthening exercises, massage, etc to help restore the function of the tendons. Sometimes chiropractic adjustment in Denver is also performed to regain the original functioning of the muscles, tendons, and joints.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatment
Platelets in the blood release growth stimulants that in turn facilitate healing any injured or damaged tissue. In this therapy, the patient’s blood is centrifuged such that it develops a higher concentration of platelets than normal. The centrifuged blood is then injected in gel form in the damaged tendon and muscles and this amps up the healing process. This has different results in different people. Discuss with your doctor before starting the PRP treatment.
Laser Light, Shockwave, And Sclerotherapy
Low-level laser light therapy, sclerotherapy, extracorporeal shockwave therapy is used by many doctors to ease the pain of Tendonitis. In shockwave therapy, a high-energy sound wave is applied to the tendon and might kill some nerves to work. In laser light therapy, low-intensity laser light is applied to the tendon and it triggers the natural healing properties of the body. Lastly, in Sclerotherapy, drugs are used to kill the extra nerves and blood vessels that have formed in the affected area.