How to Heal Your Tennis Elbow Quickly and Effectively

 If you've ever had tennis elbow , you know just how painful and debilitating it can be. Even the simplest tasks can become impossible when your elbow is throbbing with pain. The good news is that there are a few things you can do to speed up the healing process and get back to your normal activities as soon as possible. 

In this blog post, we'll cover everything you need to know about tennis elbow, from symptoms and prevention to effective treatments and exercises. Keep reading to learn more! 

What Is Tennis Elbow and What Are the Symptoms?

Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is a condition that results from overuse of the muscles and tendons in your forearm and can lead to pain and inflammation in the elbow joint. Although it's called tennis elbow, you don't have to play tennis to get it - it’s a relatively common injury that can happen to anyone. Any repetitive motion that puts stress on the forearm muscles can lead to the condition. 

Symptoms of tennis elbow include pain and tenderness on the outside of the elbow, weakness in the affected arm, and difficulty extending the arm fully. 

How Can You Prevent It From Happening?

Whether you’ve had tennis elbow or not, there are a few things you can do to prevent it from happening:

1. Make sure you warm up before any activity that puts strain on your arm muscles. 
2. When performing any repetitive motions, ensure that you are using the proper technique. 
3. Take frequent breaks to give your muscles a rest. 
4. Talk to your doctor about wearing a brace or support if you're at risk for developing tennis elbow. 

How Do You Heal Tennis Elbow Quickly and Effectively?

To help speed up the healing process, and get relief from your symptoms without  the need for extensive medication use or surgery, you can try the following: 

1. Try icing your elbow for 20 minutes several times a day.
2. Take over-the-counter pain medication as needed for relief.
3. See a physical therapist for exercises that will help stretch and strengthen the muscles around your elbow joint. 
4. Radial Shockwave, a specialized physical therapy modality,  has been shown to have efficacy rates of 85-90% for patients suffering from chronic tennis elbow in 3 to 5 sessions. 

Exercises To Help Speed Up the Healing Process 

If you have recently developed tennis elbow, you may be wondering what you can do to speed up the healing process and reduce the risk of future injury. Fortunately, there are a few exercises that can help: 

• Fist clench: curl your fingers into a fist and hold for 5 seconds. Relax your hand and repeat 10 times. 
• Wrist flexion: hold your arm out straight in front of you with your palm facing down. Use your other hand to bend your wrist back as far as you can. Hold for 5 seconds and repeat 10 times. 
• Wrist extension: hold your arm out straight in front of you with your palm facing up. Use your other hand to bend your wrist back as far as you can. Hold for 5 seconds and repeat 10 times. 
• Towel twist: place a small towel around your affected hand with both ends hanging equally off each side. Grasp both ends of the towel with your good arm and twist it until it’s tightly rolled. Hold for 30 seconds and repeat 3 times. Do this exercise 3 times per day.

** For fist clench, wrist flexion, and wrist extension, as you get stronger, you can increase the amount of time to 30 seconds.

Remember to always consult a doctor or physical therapist before starting an exercise program. It’s important to get a full evaluation to rule out a serious injury. 

Are There Any Lifestyle Changes That Need To Be Made When Recovering From Tennis Elbow?

When recovering from tennis elbow, there are also some lifestyle changes you can make to ensure a smooth recovery. These include avoiding activities that put stress on your forearm muscles and tendons, wearing an arm sling or splint when performing activities that require arm motion (such as household chores), using good posture when sitting or standing, and taking regular breaks throughout the day to rest your arms. 

How Long Will It Take Before I’m Back to My Old Self Again?

Most people recover from tennis elbow within 6-12 weeks with conservative treatment measures. However, it may take longer for some people to experience full relief from their symptoms. If your symptoms persist for more than 3 months despite treatment, you should see a doctor for further evaluation. 

Reform Clinics Is Here to Help You Get Back in the Game

If you're experiencing pain from tennis elbow or any other type of repetitive strain injury, don't hesitate to call us at 905-827-5757 to schedule an appointment with our team at Reform Clinics  . Alternatively, you can also fill out our online contact form to get in touch. We'll be glad to help you get back to your regular routine as soon as possible!