Muscles are attached to the bones by thick cords of tissues called tendons. Bone movement is regulated by the contractions of the muscles. Tendonitis is the pain caused due to irritated or inflamed tendons and losing their capabilities of smooth motion.
Any tendon can give rise to tendonitis but feet are most susceptible. Foot tendonitis is not only painful but repetitive tendonitis also can become a serious problem. You can use many home remedies to recover from foot tendonitis and stop it from recurring. See you doctor if the condition is not healing.
Excessive strain on the foot area that occurs in repetitive exercises such as sprinting, jumping or running can cause foot tendonitis which is painful.
Aging, bone spurs, poorly fitted shoes, obesity and diabetes can also cause foot tendonitis. There are the 3 Most common types of foot or ankle tendonitis:
- Achilles tendonitis
- Posterior tibial tendonitis
- Peroneal tendonitis.
Home Remedies for Tendonitis
Depending on which tendons in the foot are affected, you can use a remedy to alleviate pain. Yet, there are many remedies and some of them are listed here, that will work on all types of foot tendonitis.
Wearing ankle braces for the first two weeks in tendonitis and particularly if you have peroneal tendonitis, will significantly reduce force on the peroneal tendons. This allows the tendons to rest and heal fast. You will have to choose from many different types of braces and your health care provider can be the best guide.
In addition to the braces, you can do the following to reduce your foot tendonitis pain and recover fast.
1. Ice Compression
Ice compression is always helpful in reducing swelling caused by any inflammation of muscles, tendons or ligaments. This will reduce both pain and inflammation.
- Use an ice pack or wrap crushed ice cubes in a cotton cloth
- place the pack on the affected area for 30 seconds to a minute
- lift the ice pack for a few seconds and apply again for 30 seconds or a minute.
- repeat this for 15 minutes
Do this application of 15 minutes of ice pack several times a day to alleviate your pain instantly and head towards a speedy recovery.
2. Epsom Salt Soak
Soaking your affected foot in epsom salt water is another great way to heal foot tendonitis. Magnesium is an important mineral for healing and growth of muscles and connecting tissues. Epsom salt contains magnesium sulfate which makes is miracle home remedy for all muscle, tendons and ligament pains and aches.
- add a cup of epsom salt in a small tub of warm water. Tub size should be just big enough to accommodate both your feet.
- mix the epsom salt well that it gets completely dissolved and disappears in the warm water
- soak your feet for 30 minutes daily
- remove your feet from the epsom salt water and dab them dry with a towel
- apply moisturizer on the feet as the epsom salt makes the skin dry.
The warm water will relax the muscles and the magnesium from the epsom salt will be absorbed through skin nourishing the muscles and connecting tissues.
3. Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper extract is used in many pain relieving lotions and creams. Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin, a natural pain reliever.You can make a simple lotion at home to treat foot tendonitis. Make sure that the lotion is not applied to any open wound on the skin.
- heat 4 tablespoon of olive oil
- add one tablespoon of cayenne pepper powder
- mix it well and apply on your affected foot
Application of olive oil mixed cayenne pepper lotion will warm up your skin giving a soothing relief. You can use it a couple of times daily until your pain subsides.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar possesses anti-inflammatory capabilities. Add a teaspoon of honey and two tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of slightly warm water. Drink it slowly. You can do it 2-3 times a day until the foot tendonitis is healed.
5. Oil Massage
You can use any oil to massage your foot for pain relief. Coconut oil and Olive oil are easily available and best suited for pain relief and moisturizing the skin.You can also use other oils such as sesame and mustard oil if you can bear the smell of mustard oil.
- heat the oil you decided to use and massage on the affected foot for 15 minutes
- sleep on your back for 15 minutes and elevate your feet by keeping a couple of pillows under your knees. This will also help to avoid oil from the foot coming in contact with the pillows
- do it daily
Raising you feet will help reduce strain and heal fast.