Tennis Elbow - A pain that takes the swing out

My athlete brother suffered from the tennis elbow, and it was so painful. Medically it is known as lateral epicondylitis. I later realized that though the name is associated with tennis, anyone who uses his elbow continuously to lift things could suffer from it.

The tennis elbow occurs with the common extensor tendon Lateral epicondyle of the humerus is injured to the point of possibly tearing. It is usually seen in seen young sportsmen and unfortunately, it has actually ended the career of many. For older people it sometimes becomes chronic.

My poor brother was in so much pain, if anyone even brushed by the exterior of the elbow, he would wince in agony. Soon enough the pain shot through his arm to the forearm, moving the wrist became impossible, even lifting up his coffee cup was excruciating. Now he is a tennis player, so he often wondered whether he would be able to play again. His concerned coach took him to the best sports doctor.

There was a course of anti-inflammatory drugs, painkillers and for a while, he wore a brace. He worked with a physiotherapist, who put him through a range of exercises including yoga. Some people get a steroid injection, but his doctor was against it, because he felt that physiotherapy was the most critical component of the treatment. Sometimes, a correction surgery is needed if the problem becomes chronic. For my brother physiotherapy was enough.

A range of home remedies was also given, like an ice pack that was alternated with a warm water soak helped ease the pain. This hot and cold treatment is a very effective cure. Some exercises were taught to stretch the forearm, and one of the most useful was the yoga pose of Laghu Vajrasana. These helped decrease tenderness so that the stiffness slowly vanished. Regular massage with reflexology techniques strengthened the area.

Added intake of vitamin C and E aided healing and reduced the inflammation. Along with calcium supplements, my brother was advised calcium rich foods like milk, spinach and more.

He is now playing tennis again though he had to change his serve a little. Most of all he has defeated the tennis elbow and the advantage is his.