How Can I Take Care of My Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow is a condition that causes pain in the elbow and upper arm. It is caused by overuse of the muscles and tendons in the forearm. Treatment of tennis elbow usually involves home remedies (resting the arm, ice, and heat), bracing, and physical therapy. Surgery is rarely needed.
Relief (Home Remedies)
If you have a tennis elbow, you know the pain all too well. It can make even the simplest tasks difficult to do. But there is hope! There are several home remedies that can help ease the pain of tennis elbow and get you back to your normal routine.
Rest
If you have a tennis elbow, the best thing you can do is rest. It is an important part of treating tennis elbow because it allows the muscles and tendons to heal.
Ice compression
Ice compression is a common treatment for tennis elbow. The goal of ice compression is to reduce inflammation and pain. Ice compression is typically done by applying an ice pack to the affected area for 20 minutes at a time. Some people may also use a cold water immersion therapy, which involves immersing the affected limb in cold water for 10-15 minutes.
Heat therapy
For many years, heat therapy has been used to treat various injuries and conditions. Tennis elbow is one of the conditions that can be effectively treated with heat therapy.
There are two main types of heat therapy: dry heat and wet heat. Dry heat therapy uses hot packs or infrared lamps to apply heat to the affected area. Wet heat therapy, on the other hand, uses hot water or steam to provide moist heat.
Both types of heat therapy can help relieve pain and stiffness associated with tennis elbow. Heat therapy can also help increase blood flow to the affected area, which can promote healing.
If you are considering using heat therapy to treat your tennis elbow, be sure to talk to your doctor first. They will be able to advise you on the best type of heat therapy for your condition.
Turmeric
Turmeric is an effective treatment for tennis elbow. It has anti-inflammatory properties that may help to reduce pain and inflammation in the elbow. The active ingredient in turmeric, curcumin, has been shown to have powerful anti-inflammatory effects.
According to a new study, turmeric was more effective than placebo in reducing pain and improving function in people with tennis elbow. The study participants were given either turmeric or placebo capsules for eight weeks. At the end of the study, those who had taken turmeric capsules had significantly less pain and better function than those who had taken placebo.
These findings suggest that turmeric may be an effective treatment for tennis elbow. If you have a tennis elbow, talk to your doctor about whether turmeric may be right for you.
Ginger
Ginger has been found to be an effective treatment for tennis elbow. Ginger contains anti-inflammatory compounds that can help to reduce the inflammation and pain associated with tennis elbow. To use ginger as a treatment, you can either consume it in food or take it in supplement form.
St. John’s wort
If you’re looking for an alternative treatment for tennis elbow, you may want to try St. John’s wort. This herb has been used to treat a variety of conditions, including depression and anxiety. Some studies have shown that it may also be effective in treating pain.
One study found that St. John’s wort was as effective as ibuprofen in reducing pain and improving function in people with tennis elbow. The herb was also better tolerated than the drug, with fewer side effects.
If you’re considering using St. John’s wort for tennis elbow, talk to your doctor first. While the herb is generally safe, it can interact with some medications and may not be suitable for everyone.
Massage
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of how often you should get a massage to treat your tennis elbow. However, most people find that once per week or every other week produces the best results.
If you are receiving massages more frequently than that, it is likely that your practitioner is not using deep enough pressure. If you are receiving massages less frequently than once per week, it is likely that your practitioner is using too much pressure.
Surgery
Most people who have tennis elbow pain don’t need surgery. But if your pain lasts more than 6 months and other treatments haven’t helped, you may want to consider surgery. Surgery for tennis elbow is usually done as an outpatient procedure, which means you can go home the same day. The most common type of surgery is called decompression surgery.
During decompression surgery, the surgeon makes a small incision in your elbow and removes some of the bone and tissue that are putting pressure on the nerve that causes pain. In some cases, the surgeon may also need to remove a small piece of the tendon that attaches the muscle to the bone. This can help to reduce pain and inflammation. Recovery from decompression surgery typically takes about six weeks.
Decompression surgery is a treatment option that can help to relieve the symptoms of tennis elbow. If you are considering decompression surgery for tennis elbow, it is important to discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. This type of surgery is not right for everyone, but it may be an effective treatment option for some people with tennis elbow.