If you suffer from tennis elbow pain, you’re not alone. This common condition is caused by overuse of the muscles and tendons in your forearm and can be extremely debilitating. Although there are many treatment options, many people find relief using simple home remedies.
While there is no single cure for tennis elbow, there are several measures you can take to manage the pain and inflammation. According to studies, one effective way to relieve the symptoms of tennis elbow is by using elbow wraps.
Elbow wraps provide compression and support to the joint, which can help to reduce inflammation and pain. There are several different elbow wraps available, so you can find one that fits your needs.
If you are a weightlifter, it’s important to use an elbow wrap specifically designed for weightlifting. This type of wrap will provide extra support to the elbow joint, which can help to prevent further injury.
In addition to using an elbow wrap, you can also take pain relievers such as ibuprofen or aspirin to help suppress pain and inflammation. However, it’s important not to overuse these medications, as they can cause side effects such as stomach ulcers.
If you’re experiencing severe pain or inflammation, you may need to see a doctor for corticosteroid injections or other treatments. However, these measures should be used as a last resort, as they can have serious side effects.
This article will explore some of the most effective tennis elbow pain relief methods. From stretching to ice therapy, we’ll help you get back on the court (or simply relieve your discomfort) in no time!
Symptoms of Tennis Elbow
If you suffer from any of these listed symptoms, you may have tennis elbow:
- pain and tenderness on the outside of your elbow
- pain when you bend or straighten your arm
- weakness in your arm
- numbness or tingling in your hand
You should consult a physician if you have any of these symptoms. This will help determine the root cause and provide treatment.
If left untreated, tennis elbow can lead to long-term problems with your arm and hand. However, many treatment options are available to help you relieve your pain and get back to your regular activities.
Ways to Cure Tennis Elbow
1. Resting your Arm
The first step to treating tennis elbow is to rest your arm. This means avoiding any activities that cause pain or discomfort in your elbow.
In most cases, you will stop using your arm for at least two weeks. You can still do other activities that do not involve your arms, such as walking or swimming.
If your job entails heavy arms use, such as lifting heavy boxes, baggage, etc., you may need to take a temporary leave until your symptoms improve. Talk to your doctor about the best course of action for you.
2. Cold Packs
Another effective treatment for tennis elbow is applying ice to the affected area. Icing can help reduce inflammation and pain. Wrap an ice pack with a cloth or towel and apply it to your elbow for 15-20 minutes at a time, at different intervals.
3. Physical Therapy
If your symptoms do not improve with home treatment, you may need to see a doctor or physical therapist for further treatment. Physical therapy can help support and stretch the muscles and tendons around your elbow, which can help reduce pain.
4. Painkillers and Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
Medications such as ibuprofen are anti-inflammatory and can also help reduce pain and inflammation. Be sure to read the instructions on the label and talk to your doctor before taking any medication.
5. Undergoing Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy
If other treatments have not successfully relieved your pain, you may need to undergo extracorporeal shock wave therapy. This treatment involves using sound waves to promote healing in the affected area. This therapy is usually done on an outpatient basis and does not require anesthesia.
6. Using an Elbow Wrap or Brace
An elbow brace or wrap can also help support your arm and reduce pain. You can purchase an elbow brace or wrap at most drugstores or online stores. But make sure to follow the instructions on putting on the brace or wrap properly.
If you are looking to buy one, you can rely on DMOOSE Elbow Wraps to ease pain and reduce stress on your muscles. It is important to protect your joints, muscles, ligaments, and other tissues when lifting weights. These elbow wraps can be used to lift weights, increase blood circulation and relieve any irritation.
7. Undergoing Corticosteroid Injections
If any of these treatments do not relieve your pain, you may need to undergo a corticosteroid injection. This injection is given directly into the elbow joint and can help reduce inflammation.
8. Surgery
In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to treat the tennis elbow. Surgery is generally recommended when all other treatments have failed. The doctor will make an incision in your elbow during surgery and remove the damaged tissue.
In some cases, part of the bone may also need to be removed. After surgery, you will need to wear a splint or sling for several weeks to allow your elbow to heal properly. You will also need to participate in physical therapy to help regain strength and flexibility in your elbow.
When choosing a tennis racket, there are many factors to consider. Our top two tips are to make sure you have a budget before deciding which racket to buy, as the options available are vast. Do your research before purchasing a racket, a friendly coach can help you, or there are plenty of reviews on the internet to help you decide.
If you have tried all of these treatments and your symptoms are still not improving, you may need to see a doctor for further treatment. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to relieve pain. However, most people with tennis elbow will eventually recover with nonsurgical treatments.
Conclusion
Tennis elbow pain can be debilitating and frustrating. There are many measures you can take to manage the pain. Elbow wraps help support and compress the joint, providing relief from pain and inflammation. If you suffer from tennis elbow pain, try to rest your arm and use cold compressions or anti-inflammatory drugs. Using elbow wraps and other treatments is an effective remedy for managing symptoms and treating tennis elbow pain.
References:
- Dimitrios, Stasinopoulos. “Lateral Elbow Tendinopathy: Evidence of Physiotherapy Management.” World Journal of Orthopedics, vol. 7, no. 8, Aug. 2016, pp. 463–66. PubMed Central, https://doi.org/10.5312/wjo.v7.i8.463.
- Hsieh, Lin-Fen. Corticosteroid and Lidocaine Injections for Tennis Elbow. Clinical trial registration, NCT02700906, clinicaltrials.gov, 1 Mar. 2016. clinicaltrials.gov, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02700906.
- Manias, P., and D. Stasinopoulos. “A Controlled Clinical Pilot Trial to Study the Effectiveness of Ice as a Supplement to the Exercise Programme for the Management of Lateral Elbow Tendinopathy.” British Journal of Sports Medicine, vol. 40, no. 1, Jan. 2006, pp. 81–85. PubMed Central, https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsm.2005.020909.
- Pattanittum, Porjai, et al. “Nonsteroidal Anti‐inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) for Treating Lateral Elbow Pain in Adults.” The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, vol. 2013, no. 5, May 2013, p. CD003686. PubMed Central, https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD003686.pub2.
- Razavipour, Mehran, et al. “The Short Term Effects of Shock-Wave Therapy for Tennis Elbow: A Clinical Trial Study.” Acta Informatica Medica, vol. 26, no. 1, 2018, pp. 54–56. PubMed Central, https://doi.org/10.5455/aim.2018.26.54-56.
- Saremi, Hossein, et al. “A Newly Designed Tennis Elbow Orthosis With a Traditional Tennis Elbow Strap in Patients With Lateral Epicondylitis.” Trauma Monthly, vol. 21, no. 3, May 2016, p. e35993. PubMed Central, https://doi.org/10.5812/traumamon.35993.
- “Tennis Elbow – Treatment.” Nhs.Uk, 23 Oct. 2017, https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/tennis-elbow/treatment/.
- “Tennis Elbow Braces – A Critical Appraisal.” Great Lakes Physiotherapy in Ajax and Whitby, 9 May 2016, https://www.greatlakes-physiotherapy.com/2016/05/tennis-elbow-braces-a-critical-appraisal/.
- Tennis Elbow: Care Instructions. https://myhealth.alberta.ca:443/Health/aftercareinformation/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=uf7004. Accessed 20 Mar. 2022.
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