Treatment For Tennis Elbow: Most Effective Methods to Treat & Take Care

Primary treatment for tennis elbow include proper rest. (Image via Pexels/ Towfiqu Barbhuiya)
Primary treatment for tennis elbow include proper rest. (Image via Pexels/ Towfiqu Barbhuiya)

Are you looking for treatment for tennis elbow? Let’s first understand what it is.

Tennis elbow is a common ailment that can happen to anyone, regardless of their tennis experience. It is a condition where the tendons connecting the forearm muscles to the outside of the elbow become inflamed or develop microscopic tears, causing pain and tenderness.

Tennis elbow is brought on by repeated overuse of the forearm muscles. It is a painful and occasionally crippling condition, but there are numerous therapies that might help with pain management.

What is the Best Treatment for Tennis Elbow?

Only 10% of those who have tennis elbow really play tennis! The remaining 90% of people are merely average males and females who happen to exercise their forearm muscles a lot.

Nevertheless, anyone who overstretches or overuses the forearm extensor muscles runs the risk of developing a tennis elbow. Undoubtedly, your subpar backhand technique might definitely contribute, but it's not the primary cause of the pain you're currently feeling.

Treatment for tennis elbow helps alleviate discomfort and regain equilibrium in the elbow. (Image via Pexels/ Stephanie Allen)
Treatment for tennis elbow helps alleviate discomfort and regain equilibrium in the elbow. (Image via Pexels/ Stephanie Allen)

Ache (often a scorching pain) and soreness on the outside of the elbow are the hallmark symptoms of elbow tendonitis. It's also normal to experience stiffness and soreness in the elbow in the morning or at night, which can worsen when using the hand or arm.

Here are some common methods for tennis elbow cure:

1) Medication

Over-the-counter pain relievers can also help reduce inflammation and lessen pain.

Fact check: Can exercise reduce inflammation?

2) Shockwave therapy

High-intensity sound waves are transmitted through the skin during shockwave therapy. They assist in reducing discomfort and enhancing movement in the injured area. Depending on how bad your pain is, additional sessions can be recommended.

You can also try at home treatment for tennis elbow. (Image via Unsplash/ Towfiqu Barbhuiya)
You can also try at home treatment for tennis elbow. (Image via Unsplash/ Towfiqu Barbhuiya)

3) Acupuncture

This conventional kind of treatment for tennis elbow helps alleviate discomfort and regain equilibrium in the elbow. To do this, tiny, painless needles are inserted into the elbow's healing and pain-relieving regions.

It might also be necessary to enhance overall health in other parts of the body. Additionally, this choice may be used in conjunction with other conventional therapies like cupping.

4) Surgery

The majority of patients (between 80% and 95%) find relief from tennis elbow pain without surgery. However, if you need it, your doctor will recommend an orthopedic specialist. Many elbow surgeries are outpatient procedures, allowing you to leave the hospital on the same day.


Tennis Elbow Treatment at Home

Although pain is typically greatest around the elbow, it can also spread to the upper arm, lower arm, wrist, and hand. This is because the muscles, tendons, and nerves all pass through the arm.

Unaware of their elbow tendonitis, several people discover they have difficulty shaking hands, turning doorknobs, and gripping objects.

At-home treatment for tennis elbow includes the following:

1) Rest

Ample rest will enable your muscles and tendons to repair the damage as the discomfort is brought on by repetitive tension.

2) Massage

Increased blood flow, decreased inflammation, and reduced muscle and tissue stress are all benefits of deep friction massage. Tennis elbow can be effectively treated with massage, especially for those who have not responded well to alternative therapies like steroid injections.

Schedule a visit with your doctor if your discomfort persists despite several weeks of home treatment for tennis elbow. (Image via Unsplash/ Tom Claes)
Schedule a visit with your doctor if your discomfort persists despite several weeks of home treatment for tennis elbow. (Image via Unsplash/ Tom Claes)

3) Exercise

The discomfort and swelling you are feeling will probably compromise your arm strength, especially in the wrist and forearm. Strength exercises are essential during recuperation because of this.

You will initially begin with simple, painless movements of minimal complexity. As you heal and improve, anticipate moving forward with a degree of coordination and resistance.

Check out the best exercises for tennis elbow.

4) Apply Ice

It can be helpful to apply ice to your elbow since it will lessen swelling and some of the pain. If necessary, you can use ice or a cold pack for up to 15 minutes throughout the day.

Schedule a visit with your doctor if your discomfort persists despite several weeks of home treatment for tennis elbow.

Tennis elbow can typically be identified physically; however, to rule out fractures or other possible issues, doctors may request X-rays or imaging tests.

App download animated image Get the free App now