As if we weren’t navigating enough this month, my daughter has developed tendonitis in her elbow and knee.  I suspect it was triggered by a combination of stress, overtraining for crew and the ciprofloxacin she took for a stomach bug in Peru which I later learned has a high affinity for connective tissue and can trigger Tendonitis.  Fortunately, essential oils for tendonitis have been helping to manage the pain and discomfort.

What is Tendonitis?

Tendonitis, or tendon inflammation, occurs when your tendons —  the flexible and fibrous bands of tissue used to connect your muscles to your bones —  get irritated, inflamed or suffer some microscopic tears, causing extreme pain, swelling or tenderness in the affected area.

Tendonitis can make it difficult to move this joint as it often occurs at the area where the tendon connects to the bone.  Common symptoms of tendonitis include:

• Pains and aches around a specific ligament, joint or muscle
• Swelling and tenderness
• Increased pain when moving or exercising
• Stiffness
• Trouble sleeping due to pain

Essential Oils for Tendonitis

Essential oils can be used to ease the pain, relieve the soreness and speed up the healing process of the tendon.   Essential oils can also help to reduce inflammation and tenderness in the painful joints and tendons.  They also help relieve joint stiffness and muscle spasms.

Essential oils possess analgesic qualities that help ease the pain and discomfort associated with tendonitis.  The anti-inflammatory properties of essential oils also help reduce inflammation that could put pressure on the nerves, triggering a pain response.

The Essential oils that have worked the best for tendonitis include:

1. Nerve Repair™

Nerve Repair™ helps repair damaged tendons, relieve pain, stimulates circulation, ease inflammation and help regenerate new cells.   It is a great pain reliever and helps in healing, regeneration and repair of nerve cells and  connective tissue that has been damaged.  Formulated from organic and/or wild crafted essential oils known to assist in repairing damaged nerves, including Basil which is used to combat nerve pain and nerve damage.  In a research study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, basil oil was concluded as being particularly helpful in reducing nerve damage symptoms and increasing nerve receptivity.   It also contains Marjoram which helps to speed up the healing process by strengthening the damaged area and helps provide relief from chronic pain.   Learn more about Nerve Repair HERE.  Apply 2- 3 drops of Nerve Repair™ directly over area of pain or on the bottom of the feet.

2. Parasympathetic®

Parasympathetic®: The Clove oil contained in the Parasympathetic® blend has been used throughout history to relieve pain. For example, dentists long used clove oil  to help treat and relieve pain.  Clove oil makes an ideal natural pain-killer due to its anti-inflammation, antispasmodic and analgesic properties. It is thought to work by blocking signals from sending the message of pain from the body to the brain, thus giving the user a break from pain. Parasympathetic® oil can be used to reduce the body’s inflammatory response (Read More HERE).  Similarly, the warming characteristic of clove oil is thought to provide numbing relief from pain and the antioxidants found in this oil assist in the protection of body cells.  Read More about Parasympathetic blend HERE.  Apply 2- 3 drops of Parasympathetic® behind the earlobe on the mastoid bone.

3. Anti Inflammatory™

Anti Inflammatory™: Designed to reduce inflammation and encourage regeneration of damaged or stressed connective tissues that have been chronically inflamed or acutely inflamed, Anti Inflammatory™ is especially helpful for calming inflammation in tendons and other connective tissue.  Anti Inflammatory™ contains Frankincense which is known for its anti-inflammatory and sedative properties.   The blend also contains Ginger which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help to reduce the swelling and pain in the tender place. Apply 2- 3 drops of Anti Inflammatory™ directly over area of pain or on the bottom of the feet.

4. Circulation™

Circulation™:   Formulated to support healthy circulation to deliver oxygen and nutrient rich blood to the body and the brain, while simultaneously carrying toxins and waste to the kidney and liver to be eliminated.  Circulation™ helps open the blood vessel walls to supply greater oxygen and nutrients to the tendons to support healing.   Circulation™ blend contains Frankincense which is a potent analgesic essential oil that can help soothe the painful and inflamed tendon along with Grapefruit oil which has antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory and tissue-regeneration properties.  Apply 2- 3 drops of Circulation™ on the sides or back of the neck, over the left clavicle, on the wrists or ankles to support circulation.

5. Helichrysum™

 Helichrysum italicum: Renown for its pain relieving and analgesic properties and ability to accelerate healing, Helichrysum™ helps to strengthen the nervous system, relieving pain while regenerating and healing damaged tendons. Known for its antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, and mild sedative properties, Helichrysum™ has been used historically as a treatment for muscle spasms, decreasing nerve pain, helping repair connective tissue and reducing swelling and inflammation both inside and outside the body. As it helps rebuild cells, it may be beneficial in tendon regeneration.  Helichrysum™ has a relaxing effect on the muscles, and can reduce the tension that occurs in the tissues around the place of injury.  Apply 2- 3 drops directly over area of pain or on the bottom of the feet.

6.  Peppermint™

Peppermint™: Possesses analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic properties that relieve aches, pain and inflammation as well as calm the spasms that cause muscle cramps, making it an ideal natural treatment for tendon inflammation.  In fact, a 2002  study attributed Peppermint™ oil’s dramatic analgesic influence to the relief of neuropathic pain in a 76-year old woman. The menthol contained in Peppermint™ oil naturally warms the skin and muscles to improve circulation in the area of numbness or discomfort.  This improved blood circulation stimulates the nerves and helps to heal damaged and injured nerves.  Apply 2- 3 drops directly over area of pain or on the bottom of the feet.

7.  Lavender™

Lavender™:  Renown for its calming and powerful pain relieving benefits which help relieve nervous tension and nerve pain.  It possesses analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-convulsant and antispasmodic properties, making it a great choice for tendon inflammation. Apply topically on the affected area to help reduce swelling and pain.

Resources:

• Anti Inflammatory™ available here
• Circulation™ available here
• Helichrysum™ available here
• Parasympathetic® available here
• Peppermint™ available here
• Lavender™ available here
• Nerve Repair™ available here