Tendonitis is the inflammation of a tendon, the thick cord that connects bone to muscle. Also called Tendinitis, it occurs when the tendons become irritated or get small tears and cause inflammation. [1]
Adults, particularly those who are above 40 are at high risk of tendonitis. The pain can be significant based on the cause. The damage can even get worse due to the continued use of the joint.
Except for severe damage, tendonitis can be treated with rest, pain medications, and physical therapy. You can try some essential oils for tendonitis as well. Some of these oils have been treating muscle-related conditions for so many years.
This article looks into some effective essential oils for tendonitis that you may try.
Causes & Symptoms of Tendonitis
The main reason behind tendonitis is the repetitive, minor thump on the affected area. You can also get tendonitis due to a sudden, severe injury.
Some common causes of tendonitis include:
- Playing tennis, golf, etc.
- Painting.
- Carpentry.
- Shoveling.
- Raking.
- Pitching and throwing.
- Gardening.
- Poor posture.
- Stress due to arthritis, gout, etc.
- Occasional infection from cat or dog bite.
The symptoms of tendinitis usually occur in the elbow, hip, knee, shoulder, and the base of a thumb. The common symptoms include:
- Pain at the tendon and the surrounding area that gradually builds up. It can also be sudden and serious depending on the injury.
- Inflammation and swelling in the affected area.
- Cracking feeling when you try to move the limbs with your affected muscle.
- A lump in the affected area.
Based on its cause tendonitis also known as golfer’s elbow, tennis elbow, jumper’s knee, or pitcher’s shoulder. It may occur in any tendon, but elbows, knees, wrists, and shoulders are the most common area. [2]
Best Essential Oils for Tendonitis
Some essential oils contain therapeutic properties that help reduce pain and inflammation. So, you can use these oils to reduce tendon pain and speed up the healing process.
Remember, these essential oils are complementary home remedies that can relieve some of the symptoms of tendonitis. They can’t heal severe damage. You should also discuss with a doctor before use start using them.
1. Wintergreen Essential Oil
Wintergreen essential oil is popular for relieving pain in muscle tissues. [3] It can treat any soreness and discomfort in the muscle tissues.
The high amount of methyl salicylate makes wintergreen oil acts like cortisone. This essential oil is a natural anti-inflammatory. Hence, it can ease the tendon inflammation.
2. Chamomile Essential Oil
Chamomile essential oil comes with pain-relieving abilities. The anti-inflammatory properties help reduce the inflammation in your tendon.
This essential oil is rich in antioxidant properties. It is good for your muscle, as well as for your skin. [4]
There are two types of chamomile, Roman chamomile, and German chamomile. The calming properties of German chamomile can help treat a joint injury.
3. Sweet Marjoram Essential Oil
Sweet marjoram oil is quite useful for tendonitis as it can act as a painkiller. [5]
Its sedative effect can calm your mind while soothing the pain and tenderness in the muscle. The oil can also treat the rheumatoid and osteoarthritis.
Tendonitis can cause dull pain that you can treat with sweet marjoram oil. This essential oil can also reduce muscle spasms and joint stiffness.
Read More: 10 Essential Oils for Thyroid Nodules (With Useful Tips)
4. Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender oil is one of the most renowned pain-relieving essential oil. It’s an effective remedy for migraines and headaches.
Lavender essential oil also contains some chemical compounds that make it a mild sedative. Hence, this oil can be a reliable option for tendonitis.
Lavender oil is rich in analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. So, it can reduce the pain and inflammation in your tendon. [6]
5. Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint essential oil can be a good choice for arthritis and tendon inflammation. It’s because this oil contains antispasmodic components.
Peppermint oil is rich in anti-inflammatory properties. These components help it to soothe the aches and inflammation. [7]
The key component of peppermint oil is menthol. It makes the oil work as a cooling and refreshing agent when applied to the affected area. It can also relax and calm the muscles that get stiff due to tendonitis.
Read More: 12 Health Benefits of Peppermint Oil + (How to Use It)
6. Clary Sage Essential Oil
The relaxing effects of clary sage oil make it a perfect massage oil for aching muscles and joints. Topical massage of this oil can reduce the tenderness and muscles cramps.
The oil is also great for use in aromatherapy. You can inhale its aroma to soothe pain and inflammation due to tendonitis. [8]
7. Helichrysum Essential Oil
Helichrysum essential oil has a relaxing effect on aching muscle. You can use this oil to calm the stiff muscle due to tendonitis.
Helichrysum oil contains anti-inflammatory components known as the sesquiterpene hydrocarbons. These properties make it a great joint pain reliever. [9]
Helichrysum oil contains a small number of di-ketones. Because of this component, the oil can effectively reduce joint pain.
Read More: 15 Essential Oils for Knee Injury- Fastest Relief from Knee Pain
8. Rose Geranium Essential Oil
Rose geranium oil is an excellent anti-inflammatory agent. It’s considered safer than most of the drugs available in the market. [10]
The oil can effectively ease muscle and joint pains. Due to tendonitis, you may have excruciating pain in your shoulders, knees, and joints. Rose geranium oil works great on these pains.
Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, the oil can act as same as anti-arthritis and anti-rheumatic drugs.
9. Lemongrass Essential Oil
The refreshing aroma of lemongrass oil can calm your mind while reducing pain. This essential oil has anti-inflammatory components. Hence, it can reduce inflammation in the affected tendon and joints. [11]
Lemongrass essential oil is an effective pain reliever. It can also soothe your sore muscles.
How to Use Essential Oils for Tendon Pain
Here are some of the effective ways of using essential oils you can try to relieve tendonitis:
Massage
Mix a few drops of any above-mentioned essential oil with a good carrier oil. Apply the mix directly to the affected area. Massage to let the oil get into the skin for the best result.
Inhalation
Pour a few drops of any of these essential oils in a diffuser. Inhale the aroma to soothe the inflammation and calm your mind.
Precautions While You Use Essential Oils
Essential oils are usually safe. But, they can be quite dangerous if you use them in the wrong way. The following safety measures must be maintained to get the best result out of it:
- You should always dilute the essential oils before any topical application.
- Before regular using, you must do a patch test to find out if the oil suits you.
- If you’re allergic to any particular oil, avoid using them.
- Ask your doctor first before using any essential oils, especially if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding mom.
When to See a Doctor
Tendonitis isn’t deadly and usually respond to self-care measure. Using essential oils may also soothe some of the symptoms.
But, if you see the pain and inflammation don’t go and interfere with your daily activities you must see a doctor.
Also, if you have a high fever with joint pain, you should seek for medical attention.
Conclusion
Repetitive strain in some particular parts of the body is the main cause of tendonitis. The symptoms aren’t life-threatening. But, they can make your life miserable due to pain and inflammation.
Get proper rest and physical therapy to reduce joint pain and inflammation.
You can also use the above-mentioned essential oils to ease the pain.
Try to avoid the activities that can put extreme pressure on your tendons. Also, take time to stretch after finishing exercise to reduce repetitive trauma on your tight tissues. These techniques will help reduce your chances of developing tendonitis.
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