Essential Oils for Tendinitis (Tennis Elbow)

Tendinitis, commonly called tennis elbow, is inflammation of the tendons (tissues which connect muscles to bones) due to overuse, and can be extremely painful. Tendinitis is often caused by repetitive activities such as tennis, golf, skiing, gardening, shoveling, cleaning or painting. It can also be caused by trauma or impact to the area, or by another more serious injury.

Tendinitis most often affects the tendons in the elbows or wrists, but also commonly occurs in the shoulder, hip, knee, Achilles tendon or base of the thumb. Tendinitis can cause severe pain, swelling around the affected area, or loss of motion. In serious cases physical therapy or even surgery may be necessary, but for a common case of tendinitis, there are many natural remedies that can be effective.

Tennis Elbow Remedies

One can reduce the risk of tendinitis by stretching and taking care while exercising, especially if the exercise involves a movement you aren’t used to doing often. The risk of tendinitis can also be reduced by avoiding or taking breaks between repetitive physical activities.

At the first sign of tendinitis, the activity that aggravated the tendon should be stopped immediately. Rest and ice can help relieve symptoms, as well as anti-inflammatory essential oils. There are many essential oils that have anti-inflammatory properties such as wintergreen, frankincense, peppermint, and marjoram. Essential oils can be applied directly to the affected area. It’s important to always dilute essential oils with another carrier oil such as coconut oil. Here are some of the most effective essential oils for tendinitis:

Wintergreen Essential Oil

 

Wintergreen has been used for centuries for intense pain-relief, and synthetic versions of the plant are used in many common over the counter muscle-pain ointments. With it’s anti-inflammatory, analgesic and sedative properties, it should be one of the first oils a person turns to for tendinitis. We recommend Plant Therapy Wintergreen Essential oil which can be found here.

Frankincense Essential Oil

Frankincense is one of the most precious and versatile oils, often referred to as the “king of essential oils” due to its many uses and benefits. Used since ancient biblical times, frankincense is full of anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Frankincense is a great oil to use as it also doubles as anxiety relief, which can be helpful when dealing with the stress of a painful injury. We recommend Doterra Frankincense Essential oil which can be found here.

Peppermint Essential Oil

Peppermint is another great essential oil to provide relief for tendinitis, as the combination of menthol and antispasmodic properties provide a cooling relief for tension and pain. Peppermint is derived from the peppermint plant and is used for a variety of common ailments. We recommend Young Living Peppermint Essential oil which can be found here.

Marjoram Essential Oil

Marjoram essential oil is commonly used to relieve symptoms associated with tendonitis due to its anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic benefits. It can also be used to relieve muscle aches and pain in other areas of the body such as the neck. We recommend Doterra Marjoram Essential oil which can be found here.

Helichrysum Essential Oil

Helichrysum oil is commonly used for chronic pain, due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Helichrysum can also help relieve swelling or bleeding and reduce bruises associated with tendinitis. We recommend Essential Oil Labs Helichrysum Essential oil which can be found here.

Tendinitis can be painful and inconvenient, but taking advantage of natural remedies such as essential oils along with rest and ice is an easy and cost-efficient way to relieve symptoms quickly and effectively. If you’re suffering symptoms of tendinitis, make sure to check with your doctor, as many cases could be more serious and require physical therapy or surgery. It’s also important to check with a physician that there are no sensitivities to any of the essential oils or contraindications with other medications.