Despite the name of this bewildering ailment, tennis elbow isn’t an injury exclusive to tennis players.
A painful combination of muscle and joint pain which is usually the result of overuse of the forearm, tennis elbow is an inflammatory condition that can be caused by anything from playing too much golf to working at a computer all day and night.
What is tennis elbow and what causes it?
Otherwise known as lateral epicondylitis, tennis elbow is caused by repetitive motions of the wrist and arm, which put a strain on the area where the tendons of your forearm connect to the joint on your elbow. Tendons are the tissues which attach muscles to bones, which is why tennis elbow can be so painful – it encompasses joint and muscle pain in one fell swoop. This pain can also radiate beyond the locality of the joint and spread into the rest of the forearm and wrist if left untreated.
Though the ailment gets its name from the repeated action caused by swinging a tennis racket back and forth, any daily activity, job or hobby that employs the same repetitive motion can cause a bout of tennis elbow. For instance, golfers, painters, plumbers, DJs or desk workers who type away all day are all at risk of contracting a nasty case of lateral epicondylitis.
What are the symptoms of tennis elbow?
- Swelling: The first, perhaps most noticeable symptom of tennis elbow is visible swelling and tenderness.
- Burning pain: Rather than a dull ache, you might experience a burning pain which can radiate from your elbow down to your wrist. This pain can get worse during physical activity, or at night.
- Stiffness: You might find that you can’t fully extend your arm without experiencing pain or stiffness.
- Weakened grip: It may become difficult to grip things like knives, forks, pens, doorknobs and – of course – tennis rackets.
How do you treat tennis elbow?
- Topical NSAIDs: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory gels (NSAIDs) are topical ointments which have been formulated to reduce inflammation and relieve pain. The active ingredient employed in NSAIDs is either ibuprofen or diclofenac – both of which work to block inflammation-causing enzymes to provide pain relief.
- Supportive straps: Braces and straps designed specifically for cases of tennis elbow use compression technology to apply pressure to the muscles of the forearm, which in turn works to relieve pressure on the inflamed or injured tendon in question. When fitted accurately, compression straps and braces can change the angle at which the tendon is operating, providing overall relief. They also work well as a preventative measure.
- Alternative medicines: Some sufferers of chronic tennis elbow choose to go down the alternative medicine route, the most popular being acupuncture – which helps to reduce inflammation and improve blood flow to promote faster healing.
What are some preventative measures that sufferers of tennis elbow can take?
Taking a holistic approach to improving the overall health of your entire musculoskeletal system is the best way to prevent general aches and pains, as well as general connective tissue disorders. This means leading a healthy lifestyle with a varied diet and active life.
Nevertheless, other preventative measures include engaging in proper warm-ups and stretches before participating in physical activity, taking regular breaks, and avoiding repetitive tasks where possible.
Are some more prone to tennis elbow than others?
Those who suffer from musculoskeletal problems such as Rheumatoid arthritis, connective tissue disorders and bone or joint disorders might be more likely to develop tennis elbow.
Fear not, for if you are struggling with tennis elbow, we have you covered with treatments, from topical medications to supportive straps.
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Topical treatments for tennis elbow
Voltarol Max Strength Pain Relief 2.32% Gel 30g
The active ingredient in Voltarol gel is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID) known as diclofenac. While available over the counter, due to its potent nature you might be contacted by a Boots pharmacist to determine whether this medication is suitable for you. Likewise, if you choose to buy Voltarol in-store, you will likely be asked a few short questions before being sold the product.
Formulated to provide up to 12 hours of relief, simply apply a pea-sized amount of gel directly to the area you wish to treat. Unless recommended by a doctor, you should not use this product for more than 14 days.
Buy now £8.20, Boots
Boots Max Strength Ibuprofen 10% Gel - 40g
This non-steroidal anti-inflammatory is essentially Nurofen in gel form, providing precision, topical relief for joint and muscle pain caused by backache, rheumatism, sprains, strains, sports injuries, as well as arthritic joint pains. The active ingredient is 10 per cent ibuprofen, which provides fast and strong relief.
Buy now £6.29, Boots
Jointace Vitabiotics Gel, 75 ml
This anti-inflammatory gel is powered by glucosamine sourced from organic chitin. A natural compound found in cartilage, glucosamine helps to strengthen bones – making this gel a particularly great option for those with arthritis or osteoporosis. Complete with soothing aromatherapy oils including cooling menthol, this gel is designed to relax the body as well as the mind.
Buy now £7.26, Amazon
Deep Relief Anti-Inflammatory Gel 100g
Highly rated amongst Boots customers, Deep Relief Anti-Inflammatory Gel employs both 5 per cent ibuprofen and 3 per cent levomenthol as its active ingredients. The former works to alleviate pain by reducing inflammation, while the latter provides a cooling effect for even deeper relief.
Buy now £8.40, Boots
Supportive treatments for tennis elbow
Tennis Elbow Brace Support with Compression Pad
With a pack of two tennis elbow brace supports equipped with integrated compression pads, you’ll be able to keep one on, and one in the wash, at all times. This particular model from Zofore Sport is designed to mould to the contours of your arm for targeted and comfortable support. Though only available in one size, this strap is designed to accommodate forearms up to 14 inches wide.
Whether you’re in the market for a compression brace for golf, tennis, weightlifting or squash, we highly recommend seeing a physiotherapist for instruction on how to properly place your compression elbow brace, so you can be sure you’re getting the best possible results.
Buy now £9.99, Amazon
KT Kinesiology Tape
KT Kinesiology tape helps to alleviate symptoms of tennis elbow by providing support, reducing pain and even reducing swelling. Fabricated from 100 per cent natural cotton fibres and without any latex, KT tape works by gently lifting the skin from the tissue below it.
As disturbing as this sounds, this works to create a space to improve blood flow and lymphatic flow. This in turn helps to alleviate inflammation and reduce pain without the use of any medication. Plus, it’s available in an array of eye-catching colours – or beige, if you’d prefer to blend in.
Buy now £15.29, Amazon
PowerLix Elbow Support
Available in sizes S-XL, the PowerLix elbow brace provides compressive support over the entirety of the elbow joint, rather than focusing on one particular area or tendon. Made from an ultra-stretchy and breathable blend of polyester and nylon, this nifty brace can be worn all day long without slipping. You’ll be maximising performance and minimising pain in no time.
Buy now £11.04, Amazon
Bracoo Elbow Support, Reversible Neoprene Support Brace
The Bracoo Elbow Support brace aims to accelerate recovery by improving blood flow to the area you wish to target, with handy adjustable support so you can tailor its fit depending on your day-to-day requirements.
Buy now £13.99, Amazon
Alternative treatments for tennis elbow
Cannobotech Unwind Muscle Rub
This 50ml bottle is filled to the brim with a masterful blend of high-quality functional mushrooms and CBD oils which deliver holistic pain relief while giving your entire immune system a boost.
This not only aids in your post-workout recovery but helps to improve your stamina for better performance during physical activity. Enjoy the cooling sensation that occurs when using this muscle rub, and lean into the relaxing relief it provides.
Get 20 per cent off with the code UNWIND.
Buy now £62.00, Cannobotech
Balm Bundle + CBD Heating & Cooling
The healing abilities of CBD oils and topical treatments are endless. Though CBD oils are often used by both athletes and chronic pain sufferers alike, this is the first recovery-accelerating CBD duo we’ve ever come across.
The pre-workout cooling balm helps to minimise the damage caused by workouts by constricting the blood vessels and minimising inflammation, while the post-workout warming balm brings additional blood to the affected area to aid recovery.
Buy now £55.99, Mission C
The London Acupuncture Clinic
The London Acupuncture Clinic team has over 100 years of experience between them. The institute specialises in the treatment of conditions such as arthritis, musculoskeletal conditions and sports injuries such as tennis elbow.
Buy now, The London Acupuncture Clinic
