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Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) and golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis) are common conditions caused by repetitive strain on the tendons around the elbow. These conditions, though named after specific sports, affect anyone involved in repetitive arm movements, from athletes to office workers.

This blog explores the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and management of tennis and golfer’s elbow, including conventional treatments and naturopathic approaches.


What Are Tennis Elbow and Golfer’s Elbow?

Tennis Elbow

  • Affects tendons on the outer part of the elbow.
  • Often caused by repetitive wrist extension and gripping.

Golfer’s Elbow

  • Affects tendons on the inner part of the elbow.
  • Triggered by repetitive wrist flexion and forearm rotation.

Both conditions result from tendon overuse, leading to inflammation, micro-tears, and pain.


Symptoms of Tennis Elbow and Golfer’s Elbow

Tennis Elbow Symptoms

  • Pain on the outer elbow.
  • Difficulty lifting or gripping objects.
  • Pain worsens with repetitive wrist and hand motions.

Golfer’s Elbow Symptoms

  • Pain and tenderness on the inner elbow.
  • Stiffness in the elbow joint.
  • Pain radiates to the forearm and wrist.

Causes of Tennis Elbow and Golfer’s Elbow

1. Repetitive Movements

  • Overuse of tendons during activities like tennis, golf, typing, or painting.

2. Improper Technique

  • Poor form in sports or daily activities increases strain on tendons.

3. Occupational Strain

  • Jobs involving repetitive arm or wrist motions, like construction or assembly work.

4. Sudden Overuse

  • Sudden engagement in intense physical activity without conditioning.

Naturopathic Management of Tennis and Golfer’s Elbow

Naturopathic therapies offer holistic, non-invasive treatments to reduce pain and promote tendon healing.

1. Fomentation

  • Application of warm or cold compresses to soothe inflammation and improve blood circulation.
  • Method: Alternate hot and cold packs for 15–20 minutes daily.

2. Acupuncture

  • Stimulates specific points along energy pathways to alleviate pain and reduce inflammation.
  • Benefits: Improves blood flow and accelerates tendon repair.

3. Acupressure

  • Involves applying pressure to specific points on the forearm and elbow.
  • Effectiveness: Relieves tension in the muscles and tendons.

4. Massage Therapy

  • Helps release tightness in the forearm muscles and improves flexibility.
  • Types: Deep tissue massage and cross-friction techniques are particularly effective.

5. Local Steam Therapy

  • Steam application to the elbow area relaxes stiff muscles and enhances healing.
  • Process: Use a handheld steamer or towel soaked in hot water for 10 minutes.

6. Hydrotherapy (Arm Bath)

  • Alternating warm and cold water immersion for the affected arm stimulates circulation.
  • Duration: 10–15 minutes, twice daily.

7. Physiotherapy

  • Stretching Exercises: Gentle stretching of the forearm tendons to improve mobility.
  • Strengthening Exercises: Builds muscle strength around the elbow to reduce strain.
  • Ultrasound Therapy: Promotes deep tissue healing.

Conventional Management of Tennis and Golfer’s Elbow

1. Rest and Activity Modification

  • Avoid repetitive tasks that exacerbate pain to allow the tendons to heal.

2. Medications

  • Pain Relievers: NSAIDs like ibuprofen to reduce inflammation.

    Read: Hypertension

3. Elbow Braces

  • Use of supportive braces to offload strain from the affected tendons.

4. Corticosteroid Injections

  • Provides temporary pain relief for severe cases.

5. Surgery

  • Reserved for chronic conditions unresponsive to other treatments.

Preventing Tennis and Golfer’s Elbow

1. Warm-Up

  • Always stretch and warm up before engaging in physical activity.

2. Strength Training

  • Strengthen forearm and wrist muscles to reduce tendon strain.

3. Ergonomic Adjustments

  • Use ergonomic tools and maintain proper posture during activities.

4. Gradual Progression

  • Avoid sudden increases in activity intensity to prevent overuse.

Diagnosing Tennis and Golfer’s Elbow

1. Physical Examination

  • Assessment of pain, tenderness, and range of motion.

2. Imaging Tests

  • X-rays: Rule out other conditions.
  • MRI: Detects tendon damage or inflammation.

Conclusion

Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow are manageable with the right blend of treatments. Naturopathic therapies like acupuncture, fomentation, and hydrotherapy provide effective pain relief and support healing, while physiotherapy strengthens the muscles and improves function.

By recognizing symptoms early and adopting preventive measures, you can maintain elbow health and avoid future complications.

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