TWO FREQUENT FALL COMPLAINTS
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Stretch it
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"Careful stretching of the affected muscle and tendon so
that it doesn't get too tight is important in both the
treatment and prevention of tendinitis," says Dr. Leach.
"But don't stretch so much that you cause pain. Pain
usually means that you are tearing tissue." Stretch your
sore muscle each day, using smooth and slow motions. For
that matter, make stretching a daily morning routine for
your entire body and you might well keep muscle and tendon
injuries from happening in the first place.
Down an antiinflammatory
"Aspirin and ibuprofen (e.g., Advil) are immediately
available to most people," says Dr. Leach, "and they're
both antiinflammatory. Take either of them (not both) a
couple of times a day." But pay attention to the amount
that you take. "If you notice that you are not getting
better or that you've been increasing the amount, it's
obvious that you should be doing something else," says Dr.
Leach. Also, do not give aspirin to children because of the
risk of Reye's syndrome.
Elevate it
If you can rest the painful limb or joint above heart
level, you'll ease the swelling that often accompanies
tendinitis. If you have tendinitis in your leg, for
instance, rest it on top of a pile of pillows.
Sling it
For tendinitis in your shoulder, you can place the affected
arm in a cloth sling as you would a broken arm. The idea is
to keep the arm immobile, so the shoulder doesn't move
around.
Pamper yourself with a massage
Not only is massage very soothing, it also helps to relax
the muscles and tendons, so they can be stretched very
easily, says Dr. Leach. Although a massage is not a cure,
it will help you feel more comfortable while the inflamed
tendon is healing.
When to See the Doctor
Tendonitis
Does the pain get worse every time you pick up an ax? Is it
getting progressively more difficult to open that jar of
mayonnaise?
