Achilles Tendonitis: Natural Healing Methods

The achilles tendon is located where the heel and the calf bone connect. It is the largest tendon in the body and can withstand up to 1000 pounds of pressure. However, it can also become inflamed and when this inflammation--called tendonitis--occurs, severe pain can result, pain that at times will interrupt daily activities. There are a number of natural healing methods designed to cure the pain and inflammation, and relieve the symptoms.

TENS Machine and Ultrasonography

A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) machine is a machine that administers low-voltage electrical current to specific locations in the body. Electrodes are attached to the site of the pain--in this case, the Achilles tendon--and these electrodes are attached by wires to the TENS machine. When the machine is turned on, it delivers low-voltage electricity, which is designed to interrupt the pain mechanism in the nerves and soothe the discomfort. TENS machine therapy is available from alternative care physicians, and the machines can be purchased for home use with a prescription.

Ultraonsography is a related procedure. It involves using high-frequency sound waves aimed at the tendon. It is designed to encourage blood flow to the area, which promotes healing. It can relieve pain and help the inflammation go down quicker. Ultraonsography is useful alone, or in conjunction with ice, rest, massage and physical therapy.

Vitamins and Herbs

A vitamin and herb regimen can also help the tendon heal, and/or aid in healing. Specific recommended vitamins include Vitamin C (between 250 and 500 mg daily), Calcium (1,500 milligrams daily), Magnesium (750 milligrams daily), Vitamin A (15,000 IU daily), Vitamin E (between 400 and 800 milligrams daily) and Bromelain and essential fatty acids (between 250 and 750 milligrams of the former, 1,000 to 1,5000 IU of the latter, taken three times each day).

Recommended herbs include flavonoids (between 500 and 1000 milligrams daily), curcumin (between 200 and 400 milligrams taken three times daily), willow bark tea (between two and three teaspoons should be added to boiling water to make a tea that can be drunk three times each day), licorice tea (three cups daily) and comfrey (one teaspooon mixed with one cup boiling water taken four times daily).

Homeopathy

There are a number of different homeopathic remedies recommended for tendonitis. If there is an acute injury to the tendon, the first course of treatment should be arnica cream. This can be combined with Aconitum napellus, Calendula officinalis, Belladonna and/or Hamamelis virginiana. The cream and related treatments should be applied to the tendon between three and six times daily to promote healing. Other recommended homeopathic remedies include bryonia for pain that is affected by motion or heat, phytolacca for pain focused where the tendon and calf intersect, rhus roxicodendron if the tendonitis pain worsens in the morning, and rhodondendron if the tendonitis is affected by barometric change.

References

• Health and Age
• Your Orthopedic Connection

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