Tendon injury

TENDON INJURY AYURVEDIC TREATMENT

A tendon injury is not life threatening but severely immobilizes a person. It can be managed with adequate rest and pain management. Rarely, a surgery may be needed for the tear in the tendon or muscle.¹

Immediate care of an injured tendon should be done by following the famous and simple R.I.C.E. approach.¹

R: Rest to the affected part

I: Ice application for pain

C: Compression

E: Elevation to stop swelling

Management of tendon injury involve pitta shamaka chikitsa and procedures like local Snehana (fomentation) to relieving pain.²

Additionally, Ayurveda also recommends a combination of healthy diet (ahar) and lifestyle changes (vihar) in order to manage the condition effectively. These include -

Diet Recommendations (Aahar)

Drinking plenty of water helps to stay hydrated and avoid vitiation of vata.

• Avoid pitta aggravating foods like hot, sour and fermented foods
• Lepa (pastes of herbs/ ointment) prepared sheeta and madhur rasa herbs to heal the injury faster
• Citrus fruit like lemon, oranges and tangerines are good source of Vitamin C and may help in preventing sprains.

Lifestyle changes (Vihar)

• Provide adequate rest to the affected part
• Do gentle oil massage with mustard oil and turmeric on the affected area
• Provide warmth through swedana karma (Sudation)