Tendonitis – Essential Oils

Tendons

Tendons and ligaments are the dense connective tissue that is formed into tough, rope-like bands. Much of the strength of tendons and ligaments is due to the densely packed, vertically stacked arrangement of collagen fibers.  Some tendons, such as those that support the relatively huge thigh muscles, are very thick and very strong.  Tendons in the hand are, of course, much smaller.

One of their functions is to attach skeletal muscles to bones. Tendons are specialized extensions of skeletal muscles. When a muscle receives a stimulus to contract, the tendon pulls a bone (the one at the insertion point) toward the other bone.  Tendons have very few nerve endings of their own and almost no blood supply.

Tendons are often found where there are many joints in a relatively small space because they require much less room than does a muscle. The backs of the hands and feet contain many tendons. Interestingly, the muscles that work these tendons are located quite a distance away in the arms and legs.

Tendon Sheaths

Tendon sheaths encase tendons in areas of the body that move a lot. These sheaths encase tendons where they cross over or come into close contact with another tendon or with a bony structure. Between the two walls of the sheath is a fluid.  This fluid guarantees that the layers will slide easily over each other. The sheath protects and lubricates the tendon, reducing the possibility of damage from pressure or friction.

The lubricating fluid inside a tendon sheath requires a period of rest to replenish itself.  Repetitive movements, especially over long periods of time, can be damaging to tendon sheaths.  Halting, or at least curtailing movement is a must for the fluid to replenish itself.  If fluid protection does not keep up with need, the two layers of the tendon sheath rub together without the benefit of lubrication. The result is inflammation in the sheath and in the joint. Pain, stiffness, and a creaking sound when the joint moves occurs. Sudden use of a joint that has not been used much in a while can also create a problem with the tendon sheath.

Tendons in the Heart

Strips of thick, fibrous connective tissue (the definition of a tendon or ligament) exist in the heart. These tendons give the heart a firmer structure than just the cardiac muscle fibers alone could achieve. Tendons are responsible for the pumping action of the heart. The tendons in the heart also form supporting rings where the major blood vessels join the heart.

The tendons in the heart can sometimes quite literally break after a deep emotional trauma. This causes the heart to lose form and stability. The chambers do not respond normally in synchronous motions as they should. The heart is unable to pump blood effectively.  “Broken Heart Syndrome” is very real, believe me.

Ligaments

The root word, from the Latin, of ligament means to bind or tie, and that is exactly what ligaments do. Most ligaments connect bones to bones at joint locations. The purpose of these ligaments is to stabilize the joint and hold it together. Some specialized ligaments hold internal organs in place. There is a very strong round ligament that keeps the uterus in place, even with the weight of a full-term pregnancy pulling on it.  Very strong and abundant ligaments hold the heart in place.

Ligaments contain more elastic fibers and are stretchier than tendons. Ligaments allow for a wider range of motion than is possible with tendons. Over-time, and with repeated use, ligaments can gradually stretch, either enough to give us more flexibility or too much which can create problems with the stability of the joint.

Tendonitis

Tendonitis is the name given to inflammation of tendons and /or ligaments.

Under normal circumstances, tendons, tendon sheaths, and ligaments can withstand a great deal of pressure and repetitive movement.  However, when the load becomes too great, these structures can become irritated or inflamed.  An overused tendon may develop a series of micro-tears.  A tendon sometimes tears away partially, or completely, from the bone to which it is attached.  A ligament may become lax or overextended.  A tendon sheath may dry out, becoming brittle.  The partial or complete tearing away of a tendon from the bone to which it is attached is a much more serious situation.  This sort of tearing is quite painful and will take much longer to heal.

Generally, the body easily heals the small micro-tears in tendons created by our everyday movements.  However, if our work or play continually creates tears, the repair mechanism may fall behind.  In this case, the rate of damage exceeds the rate of regeneration.  Trouble, in the form of irritation or inflammation, ensues.  A damaged tendon, besides creating pain, not long reinforces the affected joint or stabilizes that joints movements.  This is true for ligaments and for the fluid between the layers of a tendon sheath.

Most tendon problems occur near joints such as the elbows, shoulders, wrists, knees, and ankles.   If the tendon issue was related to a sport, it may be referred to by such terms as tennis elbow.  While sports activities are responsible for a great many tendon injuries, tendonitis is quite common in other walks of life and other activities.   Construction workers, farmers, oil rig workers – any type of work in which there is repetitive motion or activities that include sudden jarring of limbs or joints.

Symptoms of Tendonitis

Tendonitis simply means that there has been enough injury to the tendon to create a serious amount of inflammation.  Knowing that inflammation is part of the body’s natural healing response does not make it hurt any less!  Stopping the pain becomes as much a priority as healing the tendon or ligament!

Symptoms of gradually appearing micro-tears that develop during tendon-stressing activities.

• Constant tenderness or pain in or, more likely, near a joint.  The pain is often described as a dull ache, especially when moving the affected limb or joint.
• Increasing stiffness and impairment of the affected joints as further tearing or damage occurs.
• Pain becomes more severe during the repetitive movement that is creating the micro-tears.
• Tenderness at or near a joint.
• Mild swelling or thickening of the tendon near the joint.
• Heat or redness accompanying the swelling.

Symptoms of a ruptured tendon or a tendon tearing away (or torn away) from the bone:

• Pain that is extremely severe.
• Pain accompanied by swelling and severe loss of motion.  A torn or ruptured tendon may, if the person will not maintain complete immobility for a generous length of time, require medical attention.
• A grating or crackling sensation when the joint connected to the tendon is moved.
• A lump along the tendon or near the joint.

Causes and Risk Factors for Tendonitis

• Tendonitis is more common in adults than in children. As we grow older, our tendons and joints also age and become less flexible.  Being over 40 is, statistically, a risk factor for tendonitis.
• Sudden, violent injures that twist or tear a tendon.
• Overworking a tendon by using that associated muscle group.  It is especially important to avoid stress on a tendon if that tendon is still recovering from an injury.
• Exercising too hard, particularly after an extended period of relatively little exercise.
• Failure to perform adequate warm-up and/or conditioning before vigorous exercise or participation in sports.
• Poor posture, maintaining stressful body positioning for long periods of time.
• Being overweight.  Excess weight places increased pressure on tendons, ligaments, and bones.
• Tendon stress from health conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout, or thyroid disorders.
• Any disorder which includes excessive or prolonged inflammation as part of the symptom picture.
• Autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis or type I diabetes.
• Increased pressure on joints and tendons due to misalignment or disfigurement.  Examples might include differences in leg length or stiffness and/or deformities in a joint such as a knee or hip.
• Reactions to medications.  Although rare, this should be considered if a new medication has been prescribed.
• Tendonitis can result, rarely, from an infection.  Dog and cat bites to the hand are the most common source of this type of tendonitis.

Healing

Tendonitis from small micro-tears that have not been allowed to heal properly, usually heal in two to six weeks.  This timing, of course, presupposes that the person is NOT further agitating or tearing the tendon.  Chronic tendonitis, the same area being injured repeatedly, may take far longer.  By this, I mean longer even than six weeks.  The longer can stretch into weeks or months.  This extended healing period is usually because the sufferer does not give the tendon sufficient time to heal. They simply will not stay off the ankle, refrain from moving the knee, elbow, or thumb (in my case) in the directions and with the stress that created the problem in the first place.

In very long-term chronic cases, where restriction in motion of the joint just does not seem to be going away ever, there may be scarring.  Narrowing of the tendon sheath surrounding the tendon may also be a problem.  Vitamin E, taken internally and rubbed into the site, is the best solution that I know of for this situation.  Vitamin E and patience!

Suggestions and Solutions

Rest

In order for a tendon, ligament, or tendon sheath to heal, it will be necessary to stop doing the activity that created the problem.  It will also be necessary to stop participating in activities that move the same bone and muscle set and might further irritate or damage the tendon.

Pain with a tendency to develop inflammation from everyday sorts of activities can be a signal from your body.  It may be that your body is telling you that it is time to slow down and to avoid unnecessary stress and strain overall. Of course, a lifestyle that is sedentary is also not a good idea.  Strive for balance in this as in all things.

Heat and Cold

Cold is a traditional and quick way to reduce irritation and inflammation in a tendon.  Ice packs over the swollen area help to reduce swelling.  Cold reduces circulation and blood flow to the area.  It should be noted that there are those professional therapists who are coming to believe that it is not beneficial, in some cases, to apply ice to areas of inflammation.  The reasoning is that the inflammation is created because healing substances are being rushed to the injured area.  Reducing circulation to the area – as applying cold certainly does – blocks the body’s natural repair processes.

What to do with these conflicting pieces of advice from authoritative sources?  Experience in our family appears to show that icing a tendon injury several times a day for the first 2 or 3 days is helpful.  After that, heat brings the most relief and seems to speed healing.  A tendon usually takes longer to heal than does a muscle.  Part of the reason for this is that tendons, by their very nature, have limited circulation.  Therefore, they get less oxygen and nutrients.  Slowing the flow of blood to the area may, in the long run, slow the healing process.

Alternating Heat and Cold

Contrast Therapy is a compromise suggestion for the question of whether heat or cold is best.  Typically, this therapy consists of taking a shower and alternating the temperature between hot and cold.  An early form of this therapy was to participate in a sweat lodge (or session) followed by a dip in a cold stream.  With a tendon, the advice is to apply cold for a short while to reduce swelling.  The cold is then be followed by the application of warmth.  Then, the application of cold, followed by another round of warmth.

The theory is that by alternating between warm and cold, vasoconstriction and then vasodilation occurs.  The veins and arteries first shrink and then widen.  This causes the blood to begin traveling to the affected area more rapidly but does so without increasing swelling.

Massage

Tendonitis, especially chronic tendonitis, creates stiffness and a lack of elasticity in the tendons involved.  A gentle massage can help relax and loosen the tendon.  This will help reduce the pain.  Transverse friction massage – a phrase meaning to massage the tendon by rubbing crossways of the striation of the tendon rather than along its length  – is often helpful in producing tendon relaxation and pain relief.  Please be careful of friction massage, or any type of massage of the tendon, if there is any possibility that the tendon is detached or even partially so.

Essential Oils

Many essential oils have both anti-inflammatory and anodyne (reduce pain) properties.  Essential oils improve circulation, thus aiding the body in bringing healing substances to damaged tissues.  How they do this without increasing swelling is unknown, at least to me.  However, I have never seen the application of an essential oil increase either swelling or inflammation.

^LePatches

^LePatches was designed to repair and heal damaged tissues, tendons, and ligaments.  This blend of essential oils is strongly anti-inflammatory.  ^LePatches is an excellent oil for improving and restoring circulation.  As such, it promotes quicker and more complete healing by inducing oxygen and blood flow to the injured tissue.  Use ^LePatches for sports and other injuries, muscle spasms, torn ligaments and tendons, bruises, and bursitis.

As a side note, ^LePatches heals the damaged and broken energy places in the chakras and meridians. It helps the various layers of our bodies (physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental) work together and communicate freely with each other. “Patching” us up (actually healing us is a better description) on every level.

^LeDeeper

^LeDeeper contains penetrating, anti-inflammatory oils.  These oils aid in relieving pain that is deep in the tissues and nerves. It is useful for sciatica, arthritis, osteoarthritis, the pain of osteoporosis, sprains, and injuries where there is bruising, tendon or muscle damage, and/or damage to the nerves.  Since my own family is prone to injuring themselves seriously and regularly, this blend has been worked with and “tweaked” until it is near perfection, in my opinion.

^LePaine

^LePaine is much more than a pain reliever, although it is strongly analgesic.  This blend promotes quicker healing by bringing oxygen to the injured area and increasing circulation.  ^LePaine is anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and calming to nerves. This essential oil blend can be used for sciatica, bone pain, arthritis, sports injuries, muscle spasms, torn ligaments, headaches, osteoporosis, bone spurs, bursitis, back pain, and bruising.

^LeTendaCare

^LeTendaCare is intended to be used when muscles are tight, strained, or injured. This blend is analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and has some excellent nervine properties. Besides sports injuries and muscle relaxation, ^LeTendaCare can be used for back pain, sciatica, bruising, and charley horses.

^LeWarmDown

^LeWarmDown is antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory.  It is in my opinion the most anti-inflammatory blend in the Butterfly line.  An excellent remedy for tight, tired, sore, and aching muscles of any description. This blend is often reached for with sports injuries, muscle strains, and sprains, and for torn ligaments.  ^LeWarmDown increases capillary circulation.  This is one often layered with ^LePaine or ^LeDeeper.

^LeIntensity

This blend is well named.  It contains a small percentage of capsicum.  This little bit of added capsicum produces a blend that, while not overly intense, certainly brings circulation – and healing – to areas where it is applied.  ^LeIntensity is a wonderful essential oil blend for pain management, muscle relaxation, reducing inflammation, and promoting healing.

Lemongrass 

Lemongrass improves circulation, regenerates connective tissue, and repairs ligaments.  Two of the greatest benefits of lemongrass are that it improves lymphatic drainage and gets oxygen flowing throughout the body.  Lemongrass is a key ingredient in both ^LeDeeper and ^LeTendaCare

Gingergrass

Gingergrass is one of my favorite essential oils!  It is a close relative of lemongrass and a distant cousin of palmarosa. These family connections give a glimpse of its aroma. Gingergrass has a gentle, spicy aroma with marvelous earth tones. Just when you think you have experienced all the layers of the aroma, a hint of rose surfaces, calming the nerves and raising the spirits. I absolutely love gingergrass.  It always makes me want to smile and forget about petty annoyances.  Gingergrass lifts my spirits every time.  It reduces feelings of being stressed to the limits – which I am sometimes guilty of giving in to.

Physically, the main action of gingergrass is on circulation. It encourages blood flow to any area of the body to which it is applied. This action, and the anti-inflammatory properties of this essential oil, make it an excellent choice for massaging sore muscles and working with damaged tendons.

Gingergrass may cause irritation to sensitive skin if used undiluted.  Please, apply gingergrass with a carrier oil.  Personally, I think using a carrier oil is almost always – a good idea.

Gingergrass is an ingredient in  ^LePatches, ^LeTendaCare, and ^LeIntensity.

Peppermint

Peppermint oil is strongly anti-inflammatory and analgesic.   Peppermint oil also increases circulation. All varieties of peppermint essential oil are useful for muscle pain, inflamed joints, arthritis, and for bringing circulation to areas where it is needed.  You could never say enough about peppermint for use in bringing circulation to muscles and tendons.

Peppermint is an ingredient in ^LePaine, ^LeTendaCare, and ^LeIntensity

Balsam Fir

Fir essential oil is excellent for muscle pain relief and to loosen muscles before strenuous exercise. It is also soothing for overworked or tired muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints. All conifer oils, but especially the balsams, are wonderful emotional essential oils.  Balsam fir is supportive and uplifting, particularly during the recovery stages of illnesses or injuries.  This is true whether the illness is of the body, the mind, or the spirit.

Balsam fir is an ingredient in ^LeDeeper and ^LeWarmDown.

Roman chamomile 

All chamomiles, whether as an herb or as an essential oil, have anti-inflammatory properties.  These anti-inflammatory properties are due to chamomile’s influence on the flow of energy throughout the body.  Chamomile, and especially Roman chamomile, soothes and regulates tight or congested energy.  So powerfully does this oil unravel the negative emotions behind physical ailments, that it is sometimes hard to tell if it is working at an emotional or a physical level?

Roman chamomile is an ingredient in the ^LeIntensity blend.  I think that the chamomile in this blend is a big part of the reason the intense essential oils (such as capsicum, gingergrass, peppermint, camphor, and cinnamon bark) pull together and achieve such an amazing synergy.

Diet and Nutrition

A balanced diet provides the nutrients needed to build and maintain muscles and tendons – and everything else.  Healthy protein and good sources of iron are essential.

Fruits and vegetables contain phytonutrients that are anti-inflammatory. These healthy and nutritious foods also contain Vitamin C.  Vitamin C is necessary for collagen buildup and maintenance.  Leafy greens, onions, garlic, squash, carrots, and peppers help relieve discomfort.   Eat the rainbow, always.  Include plant foods that are brightly colored with rich greens, oranges, and reds.

Omega 3 fatty acids are strongly anti-inflammatory.   Foods containing these beneficial fatty acids are, to name a few, sardines, salmon, flaxseeds, and certain types of nuts.

Chilies and other peppers contain capsaicin which can reduce swelling and irritation.

Bromelain is said to reduce inflammation and reduce pain.  Bromelain is found in pineapples.

Herbal Remedies

The following is a list of nutrients recommended for muscle and tendon health.   Vitamin B1 (thiamine), Vitamin B2 (niacin), vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin C, zinc, selenium, magnesium, boron, manganese, calcium, copper, potassium, silica, lecithin.  Herbs are powerhouses of nutrition.  For a list of which nutrients are found in which herbs, please see  Butterfly Miracles with Herbal Remedies.

Healing and Rebuilding

BHM

BHM contains herbs that strengthen and rebuild tissues.  The list of herbs in this combination illustrates the role of nutrition and, therefore, nutritive herbs in healing. Taken as a tincture or as a tea, BHM makes a very good general mineral supplement even when there is not a specific injury present.   These same herbs, in the same proportions, make an excellent salve for application to injured muscles and tendons.

Interestingly, these same herbs are the basis (no garlic and made with apple cider vinegar) for the APL formula.  APL is the “big-guns” when dealing with infectious diseases.  What does that tell us about the role of nutrition in overcoming illnesses of every variety?

Miracle Salve

Miracle Salve was originally made for use with serious burns.  It contains only five of the wonderful herbs found in BHM.  Anything that might have proven irritating to burned skin was not included.  The synergy of this combination of herbs is incredible.  It is amazing for any type of healing of tissue and skin!

AP

AP was originally formulated for the relief of arthritis.  This tincture provides many of the trace minerals needed to keep joints clear of crystals.  It also aids the body in enough synovial fluid for joint health and healing.   AP is very good for inflammation of any kind. It can also be made into a salve that works very well for some forms of arthritis, sports injuries, and bone spurs.

LN

LN as a soak or made with Almond oil and applied externally, only.  It contains herbs for controlling pain, rebuilding nerves, minimizing swelling, increasing circulation, and healing tissue.  Before we learned about essential oils, this was our go-to combination for injuries.

Increasing Circulation

Lobelia/Cayenne

Lobelia enhances and carries any herb with which it is combined.  Lobelia mixed with cayenne makes a particularly powerful combination for relaxing muscles and increasing circulation.  Take the tincture internally.  I hope you like it hot!  This tincture can also be applied externally as a liniment.

Healing and Rebuilding Nerves

ASP is one of my favorite formulas.  I have used it both externally and internally to relieve muscle spasms and muscle pain.  I particularly like the ASP formula for menstrual cramping.  This tincture is also good for coughs.  There are those who claim that it is effective for mild seizures, as well.

BBL

BBL and ASP are used in similar ways.  However, I have always preferred BBL.  It works best for me both externally and internally except as noted above for menstrual cramping.

CR

Three of the herbs in CR – blue vervain, black cohosh, and lobelia have strong nervine, antispasmodic, and pain-killing properties.  Prickly Ash another herb in this formula, has many of the same properties as Cayenne.  It is often used when it is feared that cayenne might cause stomach upset.  Prickly ash is, however, a valuable herb.  Prickly Ash bark found its way into the Pharmacopeia of the United States in 1800 and remained there until 1906.  This herb stimulates blood flow to the muscles and tendons of stiff joints.  This is a perfect herb for tendonitis.

Pain Management

PN

PN relieves pain by calming and quieting irritated nerve endings and by providing the needed nourishment to the nerves. It also promotes restful sleep.  Be aware that Valerian is not suitable for everybody, and should be used with particular caution with children.  This formula can be used either externally or internally.  For more information on Valerian, see the section on Nervine Herbs in Butterfly Miracles with Herbal Remedies.

PPAC

Use PPAC  as a soak, a compress, or make it into a liniment, a soaked oil, or a salve.  A compress seems to work best because of the heat and moisture.  However, other methods have the advantage of being much more convenient. PPAC works well on sprains, pulled muscles, damaged tendons, and bruises.  The sooner after the injury that you use it (before inflammation has really set in), the more effective it will be!

Bay and fenugreek may be added to this formula for extra help with inflammation.

This used to be a standard and much-used recipe in our family—and then we discovered the world of essential oils!

Single Herbs for Muscles and Tendons

Single herbs shown to benefit muscles and tendons include Alfalfa, Angelica, Arnica (reduce swelling) Black Cohosh, Catnip, Cayenne, Comfrey, Ginger, Horsetail, Lobelia, Peppermint, Valerian, Wild Yam, Yarrow.

An article in the Journal of Biological Chemistry found a link between turmeric and the treatment of tendonitis.

White willow

The use of White Willow has been documented way back in time in Europe, Asia, and Egypt. The Greek physician Hippocrates wrote about the medicinal properties of White Willow in the 5th century B.C.  White Willow is strongly anti-inflammatory.  It is also specific for the relief of pain with tendonitis.

If you have been told that this herb is dangerous because it contains salicin or salicylic, please read more about this wonderful herb in  Butterfly Miracles with Herbal Remedies.

Energy work

Much of traditional Chines medicine operates on the understanding that illness and pain are caused – or at the very least, contributed to – by the energy that is blocked.   There are many ways to do energy work.  I have not found that energy work can reattach a tendon.  I have, however, seen amazing results in reducing inflammation and relieving pain in muscle and tendon injuries.  Some energy work procedures can help redirect the body’s healing energy from less critical tasks to the healing of the injured tendons.

Acupuncture/Acupressure

Acupuncture – and acupressure, in my experience – get results with tendon injuries.  As energy flows more freely at the site of an injury, inflammation is reduced and healing proceeds more quickly and more smoothly.  Acupuncture and acupressure encourage the release of natural pain relievers in the body.  These treatments work with the sympathetic nervous system, lessening pain and bringing feelings of calmness and relaxation.

CranioSacral Therapy

CranioSacral therapy is one of my favorite ways to work with so many types of illnesses and misalignments in the body.  This modality, in working with members of my own family, has been worth every bit of the effort is has taken various family members to learn it!

Physical Therapy/Exercise

Tendonitis is, so often, the result of improper movement when doing repetitive tasks.  A good physical therapist can assist you in finding different ways to move in the accomplishment of required activities.  This holds true in many injuries related to sports, as well.

A physical therapist may also be able to suggest exercises that stretch and strengthen certain muscle groups and the tendon groups to which they are attached.  Exercise, of course, will need to wait until healing has occurred.  Light resistance exercises coupled with a lot of reps of specific exercises were important in healing the damaged tendons in my hand not so long ago.  Re-establishing range of motion was important to me.  Pushing the muscle and the tendon, just a little repeatedly and frequently, established range of motion completely.

Compression

Compression simply means wrapping the area to stabilize it.  Wrapping the area prevents additional fluid from building up in the injured tissues.  It may also reduce, somewhat, the swelling that has already occurred.  In addition, compression supports that joint and the muscle and the tendon if it must be used in certain activities.  Light compression also protects the muscles during the exercises and physical therapies necessary for rebuilding and strengthening the injured area.

Surgery

The vast majority of tendonitis cases can be treated successfully without the need for surgery.  This is, of course, dependent on how well the person can refrain from further damaging the tendon during the healing process.  However, severe cases in which the tendon has ruptured or disconnected on either the bone or the muscle end may require surgery.

Sleep

Getting adequate sleep is essential to any healing process.  During sleep, the body produces larger quantities of anabolic hormones.  These natural hormones encourage cellular growth making healing of tendons and muscles occur more quickly and in better order.  Sleep also allows the body to redirect energy from some less critical tasks to healing at the injury site.

Of course, when you are asleep you are also taking weight and stress and strain off the injured tendons.

Conclusion

Tendons are tough.  They stand up to a great deal of stress and strain every day.  However, when a tendon is injured or just plain overworked and strained, they usually require a too-long length of time to heal.  Be patient.  Be careful.  Most of all, be kind to your tendons every day.

If you enjoyed this blog you may also like my blog on Growing Pains