Before we dive into elbow pain and by all means, elbow pain natural remedies, did you know that the elbow is a complex system that, like other joint systems in our body, relies on the smooth interaction between muscles, tendons, and bones to allow us to manipulate objects or support our weight?
A staggering number of small bones and muscles can be found in each finger alone, which has a set of joints unto it that allows it to do its job subtly or strongly. Our elbows are the same way, except larger in terms of scale. It’s another big joint in our body that we use for more than we realize – is there anything your hand does that doesn’t require it to be positioned by your arm, which includes your elbow?
The statistics don’t lie. Tennis elbow, a common ailment involving the elbow for both players and viewers of (and even those apathetic toward) tennis, is too big to simply ignore. Up to 30% of those working in jobs requiring repetitive hand tasks suffer from tennis elbow. Around 40% of actual tennis players suffer it as well. Tennis elbow can affect us from 6 months to 48 months – stunning information, that.
Finally, about 10% of cases will specifically require surgical intervention, while others might not look at first. These are numbers that one shouldn’t just shake a stick at, especially not since being afflicted with tennis elbow might render shaking a stick – or even holding it in one’s closed hand – excruciatingly painful.
Understanding the complexities of our bodies, particularly the elbow joint, can provide deeper insights into conditions like tennis elbow. The elbow is essentially a hinge joint, formed where three bones meet: the humerus in the upper arm, and the radius and ulna in the forearm.
The tendons attach muscles to bones, enabling us to move our arm. However, repetitive movements can lead to strains and micro-tears in these tendons, particularly where they attach at the lateral epicondyle on the outer elbow. This is the primary reason for the pain known as tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis.
Tennis elbow, also called lateral epicondylitis, is primarily caused by repetitive movements. Whether it’s due to playing tennis, performing repetitive activities like typing, or doing manual labor, the stress exerted on the forearm muscles and tendons can lead to pain and inflammation.
The elbow joint, especially the outer elbow, is crucial as it’s a hinge joint where our upper arm meets our lower arm. This joint, specifically the lateral epicondyle, is where the tendons attach, and overuse or strain can lead to lateral epicondylitis.
While playing tennis is a significant cause, there are other causes of tennis elbow that might surprise many. Even simple actions like shaking hands or turning a door handle can exacerbate the pain if done repeatedly.
Wrist extension exercises, such as the wrist extensor stretch or the towel twist, where you hold a rolled up towel with both hands and twist it in opposite directions, can be beneficial for strengthening the muscles. But if these muscles are already inflamed, these exercises should be approached with caution.
It’s important to note that most elbow pain isn’t just isolated to tennis elbow. There’s also golfer’s elbow, which affects the inner part of the elbow, and rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune condition, that can cause joint pain in the elbows along with other joints.
Tennis elbow is an ailment that sadly arises from the proper, common use of one’s arms and hands. See, when we grip something in our hands, the action pulls on the tendons running the length of our forearm. When we do this a lot over time, it can wear the tissue out.
This usually takes quite a while, of course, since our bodies are usually resilient enough to deal with it, but if there’s a long time of uninterrupted repetitive gripping, microscopic tears can occur in the tissue thanks to the cumulative stress placed on the tendon.
As noted above, this affects way more than actual tennis (or squash, racquetball, badminton, or even fencing or weight lifting) competitors. Those who perform a similar repetitive gripping as part of a routine – gardening with tools, painting, typing, carpentry, and so on – will find themselves at risk as well.
Physical therapy plays a critical role in treating tennis elbow. Therapists use exercises like the wrist extensor stretch and towel twist to strengthen the forearm muscles and promote healing. If you’re trying this at home, ensure your palm is facing downward. Hold one end of a rolled-up towel with your affected arm and the other end with your opposite hand. Now, twist the towel in opposite directions as if you’re wringing water out.
Physical exams by a doctor or orthopedic specialist can pinpoint the specific causes of the elbow pain. In most cases, the main symptom of tennis elbow is pain on the outer part of the elbow, exacerbated when shaking hands or gripping objects.
While over the counter drugs like ibuprofen can offer pain relief, it’s always essential to consult with healthcare professionals before starting any medication. In severe cases, an orthopedic surgeon might recommend surgery, but that’s usually the last resort after trying other treatments.
Tennis elbow can be frustrating because it causes pain in the elbow, and often doesn’t stop there. Pain can shoot up and down the length of your arm even when you’re not holding a tennis racquet or a paintbrush or a trowel – even when you try to do something as seemingly simple as open a door.
There are many different ways to injure one’s elbow, but this one – where one gets it hurt simply by using it enough times over time – is worth focusing on. So how to heal a tennis elbow naturally?
Inflammation is the immune system’s response to injury or damaged tissue. With tennis elbow, inflammation of the tendons can lead to severe pain and discomfort. Ice packs or a hot water bottle can be beneficial in managing this pain.
Sometimes, the cause might be something else entirely. Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune condition, can also lead to joint pain. It’s always essential to get an accurate diagnosis before proceeding with a treatment plan.
If you’re experiencing persistent elbow pain, it’s crucial to seek a diagnosis from a healthcare professional. They’ll often begin with a physical exam and might recommend an x-ray or other tests to rule out other treatments. Physical therapy can be beneficial for tennis elbow as it helps strengthen the forearm muscles and improve the tendon’s healing process. Physical therapists or occupational therapists can guide patients through exercises to reduce pain and inflammation.
Some treatment options for tennis elbow include ice packs for pain relief, steroid injections, and in some cases, surgery. In recent years, treatments like platelet-rich plasma have shown promise. This treatment involves drawing a small amount of the patient’s blood, processing it, and then injecting it into the damaged area, which can help boost the immune system’s natural healing process. Home remedies, like using an ice pack or hot water bottle, can also provide temporary relief.
Doctors might also recommend over-the-counter treatments like ibuprofen to reduce inflammation. But in most cases, with proper care and treatment, tennis elbow will heal without the need for surgery. Rest is crucial, as it prevents further injury. If pain persists, consulting an orthopedic surgeon or orthopedic specialist is recommended.
Doctors have many recommendations, some of which could already be considered intuitive. For example, icing an injured elbow is a natural elbow pain remedy for elbow pain because the cold helps reduce the swelling and sensitivity of the affected area. Keeping the elbow steady is also something they recommend, usually with the use of an elbow strap.
Doctors may suggest exercises to extend the range of flexibility and reduce stiffness, and so on. Ultimately, the best elbow pain remedy for this type of ailment is arguably giving the elbow rest, through a compression elbow sleeve, while elbow pain from tennis elbow can drag on for a while, giving the body a chance to heal and knit itself back together is usually enough to come back from it.
There are other natural at-home elbow pain treatments that you might want to try. For example:
If you’re looking for home remedies to treat tennis elbow, then wrist extension exercises can be beneficial. Sit on a chair with your elbow resting on your knee, palm facing upwards. Now, gently pull your palm towards your body using your opposite hand until you feel a stretch in your forearm. Hold for about 20 seconds.
The Importance of Seeking Professional Advice While most elbow pain can be treated with home remedies and gentle exercise, it’s always best to consult a professional if the pain persists or becomes worse. Symptoms lasting more than a few weeks require professional intervention.
Given the sensitive nature of the tennis elbow, your elbow feels the most sensitive during this time due to the swollen muscles and tendons that cause constant pain and inflammation in the elbow. The Copper Compression Elbow Sleeve Pro is the ultimate choice for you in this case due to the comfort and support it provides to your elbow joint.
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