Tennis Elbow: Home Treatment

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Home Treatment

If you have tennis elbow, follow these simple steps to reduce pain and start tendon healing.⁴ A rehabilitation program such as this will prevent further injury by making your arm muscles stronger.

• Rest your fingers, wrist, and forearm muscles to allow your tendon to heal. Stop any activity that you think may be causing your elbow pain and soreness. Depending on the severity of tendon damage, you may have to avoid this activity for weeks to months.
• Ice your elbow 3 times a day for 10 minutes each time, or according to your health professional's instructions. Use an ice pack, cold pack, or even a bag of frozen peas.
• Wear a "counterforce" brace during activities that require grasping or twisting arm movements. A counterforce brace is a strap worn around your forearm just below your elbow. This brace relieves pressure on the tendon and distributes it throughout the arm. These braces are not a substitute for rehabilitation exercises.
• Try elevating your elbow to help ease pain and reduce swelling in your wrist or forearm.
• Take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce pain and any inflammation.
• Do simple warm-up and stretching exercises with your fingers and wrist to prevent stiffening of your tendons. If you have any pain, stop the exercises.
• When your pain is gone, begin combining stretching and strengthening exercises, then gradually increase these exercises. Learn the correct techniques and which equipment is best for your activities.

Aerobic exercise (such as walking, cycling, water aerobics, and jogging) increases blood circulation to the injured area, which helps promote healing.

Last updated:	February 14, 2007
Author:	Monica Rhodes
Reviewed By:	Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine, David Pichora, MD, FRCSC - Orthopedic Surgery
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC