What’s the best way to treat the tennis elbow pain of the arm rather than going to Physical Therapy?

4 Comments

1. Julie says:

   August 22, 2009 at

   Tennis elbow is also known as Lateral Epicondylitis. Essentially, it is inflammation at the lateral epicondyle of the humerus. The inflamed tissues are actually the wrist and finger extensors (the muscles that allow you to bring your wrist and fingers up) which insert on the lateral epicondyle. You can treat at home as follows:

   (1) Rest: Try your best not to use the painful arm. In particular, you should avoid activities that utilize the wrist and finger extensors (i.e. – carrying items with the pal facing down, use of a power grip which activates wrist extensors, etc…). Also be sure to avoid vibration, shock, and any impact through the affected arm.

   (2) NSAIDS: Talk to your doctor about getting a course (usually something like 5 days of Naproxen) of anti-inflammatories. Or, if you are going to try to treat at home try taking ibuprofen for several days to decrease inflammation. It will not cure the inflammation if you only take the meds PRN (or as needed for pain). You need to have a course (usually 5 days as above) of anti-inflamatories to mediate the inflammation.

   (3) Ice: You can try ice over the area, 10 minutes at a time several times a day as needed.

   I disagree (respectfully) with compression and elevation. I usually recommend these for edema management (i.e. swelling) but this is typically not a major issue with lateral epicondylitis.

   (4) SLOWLY begin to increase activities as your condition improves. Once you start to feel better don’t start playing aggressive tennis again. Take it easy.

   (5) You may find relief for chronic lateral epicondylitis with a tennis elbow strap (http://sammonspreston.com/app.aspx?cmd=get_subsections&id=100505), although in my opinion this does not help with the actual cause of tennis elbow (unless the cause of inflammation is vibration/shocks, which the straps may help to absorb).

   I hope that this helps!
2. Quang says:

   August 22, 2009 at

   ice then hot water pack it works*
3. maca says:

   August 22, 2009 at

   you need to rub the painful muscle really hard twice a day preferably with some ibuprofen cream or similar best to see a physiotherapist to show you the best way to do the massage
4. Mary says:

   August 22, 2009 at

   It is generally an over use problems so intially-

   R= Rest
   I= Ice
   C=Compression
   E=Elevation

   Then if that does not help try PT. PtCan evaluation if you have a muscle imbalance, a tear or need other treatment.

   Get a coach and fix your swing/serve/etc