Tennis elbow isn’t just for athletes. Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) is a painful condition that occurs when the tendons in your elbow are inflamed and overloaded due to repetitive motion.

Because of the motion that occurs when swinging a racket, it’s commonly referred to as tennis elbow, but anyone who has a job that features repetitive arm motions may be at risk.

Why it Matters:
Tennis elbow can become a serious issue because of the pain and weakness that make it difficult to perform your daily tasks. Because it’s an injury caused by repetitive motion, finding ways to decrease the inflammation and improve your biomechanics is critical.

Three natural ways to help reduce the pain associated with tennis elbow include:

• Rest: Giving your arm time to rest is important to stop the cascade of inflammation and pain
• Ice: Icing, a few times per hour, is a smart strategy to reduce pain and inflammation
• Technique: Be mindful of how you are moving your arm, use proper ergonomics, and use a brace for a short time if necessary

Next Steps:
Tennis elbow is usually not a condition that will go away on its own. However, we’ve found two key strategies for reducing the pain associated with tennis below.

The first is to begin an at-home exercise routine to strengthen your supporting muscles. The second is receiving adjustments, when necessary, to improve the motion and movement of your elbow joints.

If you or someone you know has struggled with tennis elbow, give us a call so that we can provide you with a plan to find relief.

Science Source:
(1) Tennis Elbow. Orthoinfo by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. 2021