Tennis Elbow Pain: Exercises and Treatment for Tennis Elbow Pain

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The real difference between Tennis Elbow Pain, Bursitis and Golfer's Elbow and how to check for sure that you have Tennis Elbow Tendonitis Symptoms.

You'll find out the 2 main TYPES of Tennis Elbow based on my work with hundreds of Tennis Elbow sufferers just like YOU (because if you don't know what TYPE of Tennis Elbow you have, how can you know which treatment's are the exact right ones for YOU...!?)

Using ice ? Tried tennis elbow braces ? Well you could be wasting your time completely.... you'll be shown why the treatments you're using right now aren't working and what you need to know to start recovering today.

My Tennis Elbow Guide shows you clinically proven exercises for Tennis Elbow in a single guide. Download the free guide now and get started today!

Here are some of the things you'll discover from my free guide:

Plus you'll also receive a FREE copy of my 2009 seminar 'The 3 most common mistakes that tennis elbow sufferers make that prevent them from recovering.' That's a free copy of the mp3 recording and transcript.

Enter your email address into the form below and then click on the "Get Your Free Guide!" button and my tennis elbow guide will be sent to you immediately...

Plus you'll also receive a FREE copy of my 2009 seminar 'The 3 most common mistakes that tennis elbow sufferers make that prevent them from recovering.' That's a FREE copy of the mp3 recording and transcript.

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Tennis Elbow Treatment

There are many Tennis Elbow Treatments available today, ranging from anti-inflammatory pills, Tennis Elbow braces, cortisone injections or shots and of course - finally - surgery.

Newer treatments that you may have heard of include Autologous blood injections, ESWT (Extra-Corporeal Shock Wave Therapy) and wearing GTN patches over the tendon.

Let's take a closer look at each of these:

Tennis Elbow Treatment #1: Anti-Inflammatory Pills.

These pills decrease the inflammation in the cells within the affected tendon. It is worth remembering that there are only very small amounts of inflammation associated with Tennis Elbow - if any at all - so these drugs really only work at relieving the symptoms, they do not treat the underlying cause, which is weakening of the tendon. This can only be addressed through very specific exercises. (See my Tennis Elbow Exercises page for more information.)

Nevertheless, there is some evidence that these can be helpful if you have any of the following symptoms:

Suffering high levels of pain

Swelling around the tendon

You have only had your pain a few weeks

If you do have these symptoms then the first step is to discuss taking a high dose of Anti-Inflammatory medication with your Physician. These drugs can cause stomach ulcers in some patients and you may require other medication to prevent this from happening. I would strongly advise against taking these without first consulting your Physician.

Tennis Elbow Treatment #2: Anti-Inflammatory Creams.

Anti-Inflammatory Creams work in a similar way to the drugs, except that - pretty obvious this - you rub them into the area - so they don't have to pass through your stomach. As a result there are less side effects associated with these creams.

They are often used as a first line of attack against Tennis Elbow Pain. As with the medication, they are probably most useful if you are suffering from high levels of pain, have swelling or you have only had your pain a few weeks.

Remember, these creams do not address the underlying 'hidden' cause of your pain. This can only be addressed through specific exercises. (I discuss these on my Tennis Elbow Exercises page.)

Tennis Elbow Treatment #3: Tennis Elbow Brace

A Tennis Elbow Brace is basically a strap that you wear around the affected elbow. It is usually 5 or 6 cm wide, and it is worn a few centimetres BELOW where you feel the most pain.

It works by taking some of the strain from your elbow tendons and in this way reduces your pain. They can be very helpful at reducing pain and allowing you to continue with your day to day activities.

A Tennis Elbow Brace must not be confused with the Neoprene sleeves that some Health / Sports Shops sell. These are often 15-20cm wide. They may make your elbow feel more comfortable, but they are not as effective as a Tennis Elbow Brace.

It is important not to rely on a Tennis Elbow Brace, as this can further weaken the tendons and actually worsen the problem. Specific Tennis Elbow Excercises are the only clinically proven way to treat the underlying cause of Tennis Elbow Pain.

Tennis Elbow Treatment #4: Cortisone Injections / Shots.

Injections and shots are often recommended for the treatment of tennis elbow. The most common type is a mixture of steroid and local anaesthetic. This mixture is injected into the tissues around the tendon, and as a result, bathes the tissues in the mixture.

The best period to inject would be within the first weeks, and the research studies that have examined cortisone for tennis elbow have concluded that there is only a very minor effect and this effect is probably only apparent for a few weeks, the research suggests 2 to 6 weeks. Not much is it ?

Injections also carry a number of risks. The risks are small, but nonetheless they do exist. So the point here is: think very carefully before having an injection, because it may well be the answer short term, if you have been suffering for a short time (a few weeks). But it may not be the answer long term, because the injection can lead to tendon degeneration and further weakness.

Tennis Elbow Treatment #5: Autologous Blood Injections.

A newer injection treatment involves injecting the patients own blood into the tendon. Sometimes the blood is centrifuged and spun at high speed and the resultant platelet-enriched blood is injected. This is such a new treatment that there is very little evidence to support it's use.

Tennis Elbow Treatment #6: ESWT.

Extra-Corporeal Shock Wave Therapy or ESWT involves blasting the affected tendon with pressure waves. Some of the machines cause a lot of pain during the treatment and a local anaesthetic is used to numb the area.

There is some evidence that this treatment might be useful in treating a condition called 'Plantar Fasciitis' of the foot, but there is little eveidence for it's effectiveness in the treatment of Tennis Elbow.

Tennis Elbow Treatment #7: GTN Patches.

GTN or Glyceryl Trinitrate patches are used in the treatment of angina, a heart condition. They help open up the blood vessels. More recently they have been used to treat tendon problems. The patches are cut into quarters so they are only very small - 0.5mm wide - are stuck onto the skin over the painful tendon and are changed every 24 hours. They have mainly been used to treat painful tendon problems, mainly the Achilles Tendon.

There is some evidence that they may be effective in the treatment of Achilles tendon problems, but the improvement can take up to 6 months. For this reason they are also sometimes used in the treatment of Tennis Elbow Pain. A common side effect however, is headache, and this can sometimes prevent people from completing the course.

Discover more about your Tennis Elbow and my clinically proven 2-Step Tennis Elbow Exercise System by requesting a copy of my free guide today!