Golfers elbow is a condition caused by the inflammation of the tendons and ligaments in the inner elbow. Also known as medial epicondylitis, this condition is characterized by pain that radiates from the elbow down to the forearm. Pain and discomfort in the elbow area caused by common hand movements is also a sign of golfers elbow. The name suggests that it is an ailment that affects only people who play golf frequently. However, the condition is actually experienced by individuals who have not even touched a golf club in their lives. People who work as painters, carpenters, or even office workers who type a lot are susceptible to this condition. That is why it is important for people to know about the most common methods of golfers elbow treatment so that they would know what to do should the condition happen to them.

The most common method of golfers elbow treatment is RICE, or rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Once one feels the pain associated with the condition, one should immediately stop whatever one is doing and rest the arm. Ice packs should be applied on the affected area and can even be alternated with heat packs to reduce the swelling.

The next golfers elbow treatment is compression, in which one should apply a snug fitting bandage around the elbow so as put pressure on the area and lessen the pain. Elevation is the next step in this golfers elbow treatment, and one needs only to keep the arm above the heart level. Doing so also helps lessen the swelling and reduce the pain. Following all these steps immediately would make the condition less worse.

However, if the above golfers elbow treatment methods do not work, one can use over the counter drugs such as ibuprofen and paracetamol. These drugs work to make the inflammation subside and to numb the pain caused by the condition. If these drugs still do not produce the desired results and one still continues to feel pain, then it might be best to get a physician’s advice. They will either give stronger drugs or suggest other treatments that might help with the pain and discomfort caused by the condition.

People who suffer from tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis know of the pain and discomfort it causes. It can affect their lives in a big way because having the condition severely limits their capability of using their hands in daily chores or at work. That is why it is important to get some treatment when one notices symptoms of tennis elbow. Moreover, medication should be supplemented with tennis elbow exercises to hasten healing as well as to strengthen the arm tendons. Below are some of the most common exercises that one can do when one has tennis elbow.

One of the easiest and most common tennis elbow exercises is stretching. This exercise is done to increase muscle and tendon strength, as well as improve their endurance. There are many different stretching exercises, such as gentle stretching, prayer stretch, and controlled stretching. With gentle stretching, one only needs to extend one’s elbow without flexing and holding the pose for 20 to 30 seconds.

The prayer stretch is done by putting the palms together in front of the chest area just under the chin. The next step is to lower the palms towards the waist and holding it there for 20 seconds. Controlled stretching, on the other hand, involves gently bending, rotating, and straightening the wrist. All of these tennis elbow exercises can be done at least twice a day. There are also many tennis elbow exercises that are done to improve flexibility. Most of them are easy, such as flipping the palm up and down, or making a light fist with the palm and rotating it.

Strengthening workouts are also great tennis elbow exercises. These exercises can be done with the use of weights and balls. For the former, all one needs to do is carry a weight in the hand and bend the wrist as high as possible. With the latter, one needs to squeeze a ball for three or more seconds. This should be done until the muscles become tired but not to the point of being painful. Doing these exercises will definitely help in making healing one’s tennis elbow faster.