Achilies Tendonitis Ayurvedic Treatment

Tendons are the end part of muscles that attaches to bones. When they got inflamed, it is called ‘Tendonitis’ or ‘Tendinitis’. The most common sites are heels, shoulders, elbows and wrists. Over activity of the joint/ tendon is the major cause of tendinitis.

Achilies Tendonitis Signs and Symptoms

The patient with tendinitis often presents pain over the affected part, tenderness (pain on touching the part), swelling and difficulty to move the joint.

Achilies Tendonitis Ayurvedic Analysis

Aggravation of vata in snayu/ kandara (ligaments and tendons) causes pain and difficulty in movements. In most cases, ama (vitiation of dosha in immature stage) will be present. This condition is a type of vatavyadhi.

Achilies Tendonitis Causative Factors (Ayurveda)

Any factor that causes aggravation of vata can lead to vatavyadhi. They include, excess intake of tastes like pungent, bitter and astringent; cold food items; over consumption of Bengal gram, snake gourd, brinjal, bitter gourd, ridged gourd, alcohol etc; taking very light food, skipping meals, over activity of the joints, injuries to the kandara etc.

Possible Complications of Achilies Tendonitis Disease

If left untreated, it leads to rupture of the tendon and tendinosis (chronic tendinitis) involving degeneration of the tendon.

Other systemic diseases and precautions to be taken

Some systemic diseases (like diabetes, heart disease etc) can cause complications with the treatment procedures and medicines. Patients should inform physician about all the health conditions they are suffering from.

Achilies Tendonitis Disease Management with Ayurveda Treatment

Management of ama is the first choice of treatment. It includes, internal medications, external therapies like dhanyamla dhara, lepana (application of powdered medicine over the affected part) etc. Then it is followed by external snehana (oil massage, dhara with oil etc), mild swedana (eg: upanaha/ bandaging with suitable medicine, kizhi etc), nasya (nasal instillation of medicines), agnikarma (cauterisation over the affected part of kandara/ tendon) etc depending on the disease condition, cause of the disease, patient’s occupation and several other factors.

Diet

Food items like wheat, unpolished rice, green gram, milk, fruits having sweet tastes etc are preferred during treatment. Follow the advice of the physician for a suitable diet plan which is designed logically after considering the patient’s co-existing diseases.

Exercise

Exercises should not be done during severe pain and tenderness. Rest is most important. After reducing the pain and inflammation, mild exercise can be done as per the advice of the physician. Those who regularly do exercise, start it with a warm-up session and end with warming-down in order to avoid stress over the muscles and tendons.

Achilies Tendonitis Preventive Aspects in Ayurveda

Avoid over-exertion. Exercise regularly. Take proper rest in between tiring activities especially sports persons, those who are doing manual works involving repeated movements of joints etc. Avoid injuries to the joints and muscle tendons, wear comfortable footwears (especially athletes). Reduce the intake of food items that cause aggravation of vata as mentioned above. Oil massage all over the body can prevent any disease caused by vata. Adopt normal body postures while sleeping and sitting.

Importance of Diet

Intake of right food enables speedy recovery, and hence follow the diet advised by the physician.

Lifestyle

Take proper rest in between continuous physical activity, follow a warming-up and warming-down session every time you do exercise. Maintain healthy body weight. Stick on to a healthy diet plan. Drink more water to prevent inflammation. Reduce the consumption of alcohol and quit smoking. Ensure adequate sleep. Apply suitable oil over the body before bath.