Most of us, whether athletic or not, sometimes suffer from some sort of inflammation. The inflammation may be minor or may be severe and long lasting. The word inflammation sounds frightening but it is just the normal process of our immune system healing damaged body cells. Inflammation is caused by stretching, tears or overextension in various parts of the body, and while it sounds like that would be difficult to do, it really isn’t.

Tendonitis (an inflammation of the tendons) shows up as pain, sometimes when moving and sometimes when resting the injured area. Typically, this is an injury that is common to the muscle group when overused. It is for this reason that we have terms like “tennis elbow”. Take for example Peyton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts. Most of the injuries he has sustained in his career have been due to tendonitis in some form. Whether it was his arm from passing the football or his knees from taking punishing hits, he suffered from various inflammations of tendons in different areas that put him on the sidelines in the most critical moments for his team. While you aren’t seeking fame and fortune on the football field, it is important for you to be able to work as a member of your team and recognize how to treat this malady.

When pain starts, it is recommended to wrap an icepack in a towel and put on the painful area for 10 to 15 minutes with short breaks to prevent freeze burning of the skin. The ice freezes the spot giving instant relief from the pain and preventing edema (fluid buildup). You should also rest the affected area and avoid physical activity. Elevating the affected area is a great, natural way to control inflammation, simply by using the force of gravity. By elevating the area, it’s harder for the body’s fluids to rush to the area. Physical exertion may increase the pain, cause the inflammation to worsen and lead to more serious types of injuries that aren’t as easy to fix as tendonitis.

Unfortunately, main stream medicine prescribes anti-inflammatory medicine too quickly. This is not always the best approach. Many times these medications prevent the body from natural healing and may cause side effects such as stomach upset, bleeding or liver damage.

The healing of Tendonitis can take a long time, sometimes weeks and maybe months. Research has shown that a blend of specific essential oils can help eleviate the pain associated with tendonitis without the side effects of anti-inflammatory medication. This essential oil blend is a mixture of aromatic organic essential oils, such as wintergreen, peppermint and arnica, that is applied to the inflamed area, and provides almost immediate relief. The pain lessens and the possibility of movement increases. After the application of the oil, it is also recommended to massage the affected area gently for a few minutes, several times a day until the pain disappears. This helps to loosen up the tendons and also helps to relieve the pain. The mixtures work by increasing blood flow to the affected area thus enhancing the body’s natural healing process.