Treating and Preventing Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow is a common complaint of the avid tennis player.  To help prevent tennis elbow, have a competent tennis coach evaluate your game, especially your backhand, as this is the stroke mostly responsible for tennis elbow pain. If your technique is poor, your coach will guide you in making the necessary changes.  Improving your style and technique will take stress off your elbow and allow you to make shots more fluidly without as much strain.  Be patient though, as changing poor technique habits of a lifetime will not be simple at all.   It will require practice, persistence and determination. However, what stronger motivation can there be when faced with the alternative of excruciating pain or, worse still, not playing at all?

Traditional treatment of tennis elbow includes modification of exercise, use of over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen, ice treatment and total rest.  Alternative treatments include acupuncture, splinting and various types of herbal remedy for tennis elbow.

If your doctor or physical therapist has given you the all clear to play, it is essential that you do everything possible to alleviate any discomfort. Make sure you incorporate a good stretch into your warm-up routine. Flexing your wrist (towards the palm) while keeping your elbow straight is a good one. As muscles stretch more when they are warm, and are therefore less prone to injury, it is a good idea to wear an elbow brace or sleeve.

So remember, to prevent tennis elbow you need to warm up well before playing and practice good form on your shots.  Good discipline will go along way to preventing not just tennis elbow but all injuries.