What Can I do to Take Care of My Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow causes elbow and upper-arm pain. Overuse of muscles and tendons within the forearm is the cause. Tennis elbow is usually treated with home remedies, such as resting the arm and applying ice and heat, bracing and physical therapy. Surgery is rare.
Relief (Home Remedies)
Tennis elbow is a painful condition. Even the simplest of tasks can be difficult. There is still hope! Tennis elbow can be treated at home with several remedies.
Rest
Rest is the best treatment for tennis elbow. Rest is a crucial part of the treatment for tennis elbow, as it allows muscles and tendons time to heal.
Ice Compression
Tennis elbow is commonly treated with ice compression. Ice compression reduces inflammation and pain. Ice compression involves applying an icepack to the affected area 20 minutes at a stretch. Cold water immersion therapy is another option. This involves submerging the affected limb for 10 to 15 minutes in cold water.
Heat Therapy
Heat therapy has been used for many years to treat various injuries. Heat therapy is an effective treatment for tennis elbow.
Dry heat and wet heating are the two main types. Heat is applied to the affected areas using hot packs or infrared lights. Wet heat therapy uses steam or hot water to moisten the heat.
Tennis elbow can be treated with both types of heat therapy. Heat therapy can help to increase blood flow in the affected area and promote healing.
Speak to your doctor before you use heat therapy for tennis elbow. Your doctor will be able advise you on what type of heat treatment is best for your condition.
Turmeric
Tennis elbow can be treated with turmeric. Anti-inflammatory properties may reduce elbow pain and inflammation. Curcumin, the active ingredient of turmeric, has powerful anti-inflammatory properties.
A new study found that turmeric is more effective than a placebo at reducing pain and improving functionality in those with tennis elbow. Participants were given turmeric capsules or placebo capsules over a period of eight weeks. The study found that those who took turmeric capsules experienced significantly less pain, and had better function at the end of it than those who took placebo.
These results suggest that turmeric could be an effective treatment option for tennis elbow. Talk to your doctor if you suffer from tennis elbow.
Ginger
Tennis elbow can be treated with ginger. Ginger is rich in anti-inflammatory compounds which can reduce inflammation and pain caused by tennis elbow. Ginger can be consumed in food form or taken as a supplement to treat tennis elbow.
St. St.
St. John’s Wort is a good alternative for treating tennis elbow. This herb is used to treat depression and anxiety, among other conditions. Some studies suggest that it could also be useful in treating pain.
In one study, St. John’s Wort was just as effective as Ibuprofen at reducing pain and improving functionality in patients with tennis elbow. The herb also had fewer side-effects than the drug.
Speak to your doctor before using St. John’s Wort for tennis elbow. Although the herb is generally considered safe, some medications may interact with it and it may not be suitable to everyone.
Massage
The answer to this question is not one size fits all. Most people report that a massage once a week or every two weeks produces the best results.
If you receive massages more often than this, your practitioner may not be using enough pressure. If you receive massages more than once a week, your practitioner may be using too much pressure.
Surgery
Tennis elbow is not a common condition that requires surgery. If your pain persists for more than six months, and no other treatment has helped you, then surgery may be the best option. Tennis elbow surgery is typically performed as an outpatient, meaning you can return home the same day. Decompression surgery is the most common form of surgery.
During decompression, the surgeon will make a small cut in your elbow to remove some of the tissue and bone that is putting pressure onto the nerve causing pain. In some cases, a surgeon may need to remove part of the tendon connecting the muscle and bone. It can reduce inflammation and pain. It usually takes six weeks to recover from decompression surgery.
Tennis elbow can be treated with decompression surgery. It is important to discuss with your doctor the risks and benefits of decompression surgery if you’re considering it for tennis elbow. It is important to discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor before deciding whether or not decompression surgery will be right for you.