Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis is a condition in which the outer part of the elbow becomes sore and tender. Tennis elbow is an acute or chronic inflammation of the tendons that join the forearm muscles on the outside of the elbow (lateral epicondyle). The forearm muscles and tendons become damaged from overuse — repeating the same motions again and again. This leads to inflammation, pain and tenderness on the outside of the elbow.
See also : Tendonitis

Symptoms

• Pain on the outer part of the elbow (lateral epicondyle)
• Point tenderness over the lateral epicondyle—a prominent part of the bone on the outside of the elbow
• Pain from gripping and movements of the wrist, especially wrist extension[citation needed] and lifting movements
• Pain from activities that use the muscles that extend[citation needed] the wrist (e.g. pouring a container of liquid, lifting with the palm down, sweeping, especially where wrist movement is required)
• Morning stiffness

Home remedies

• RICE method for treating tennis elbow is as follows:
  • Rest the injury immediately.
  • Ice the area as soon as possible in order to reduce the swelling and inflammation. Never apply ice directly to the skin – cover the area with a clean cloth or towel first. The working of ice is similar to an anti-inflammatory agent. Put ice pack over the elbow for atleast 15 minutes a day and it will give you some relief from pain. This will result in reducing the swelling of tendons and of course tendons in the elbow. One should prefer to keep the elbow in an elevated way, so it will help the elbow to pump blood easily, so as to reduce pain as well as swelling. The activities which cause inflammation should be avoided.
  • Compress the area to limit swelling and bleeding. Do not wrap the elbow so tightly that you limit circulation to the area.
  • Elevate the elbow above the heart to improve fluid drainage.
• Remedial Massage
• Osteopathy
• Acupuncture is a popular treatment for tennis elbow. It involves the use of fine needles in order to correct the flow of qi or energy in the body. It is a painless treatment and many people find it very relaxing. For tennis elbow, acupuncture is used largely to provide pain relief. Studies have shown that acupuncture relieves tennis elbow pain for significantly longer than placebos and also an overall improvement in the level of pain felt. If you don’t like the thought of needles, laser acupuncture is an excellent alternative to traditional acupuncture.
• St. John's wort – soothes pain and calms the nerve.
• Fenugreek seeds and milk made into a paste and spread over the affected area is helpful as fenugreek is anti-inflammatory.
• Curcumin is an extract of turmeric and is a strong anti-inflammatory and painkiller.
• Homeopathy :
  • Ruta Graveolens for tennis elbow that is slow to heal, and the joint feels achy, weak and stiff.
  • Arnica if the elbow feels sore, bruised, and inflamed from injury or overuse. The elbow is aggravated by movement and touch.
  • Rhus-tox when you find it difficult to rest as it causes stiffness. It’s commonly used for tennis elbow that improves with heat and is worst upon waking.
• Nutrition for Tennis Elbow : Adequate nutrition can be helpful for preventing and easing the effects of tennis elbow. Vitamin C is vital for the repair of injuries as it speeds cellular growth and repair. Vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene is also important as it is needed for collagen synthesis. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that destroys free radicals that are released by inflammation in the body. Zinc is also necessary as it works with vitamin A to repair tissue and reduce inflammation. Vitamin E taken with selenium limits inflammation and speeds up healing. Add turmeric and cumin to your meals as they are known for their anti-inflammatory effects. Bromelain, found in pineapples, reduces pain and swelling. Glucosamine supplements, combined with a healthy diet, can help to rebuild damaged cartilage with side effects. As an anti-inflammatory and painkiller, it is helpful for the long term treatment of chronic tennis elbow.

Medical Disclaimer

This information is not meant to be substituted for medical advice. Always consult a medical professional regarding any medical problems and before undertaking any treatment or dietary changes.