Natural Remedies for Elbow Pain

By Donna Stark

The names may imply some serious athleticism going on, but tennis elbow and golfer's elbow often have nothing to do with the games themselves. In fact, these painful and debilitating conditions are simply caused by repeating the same motion over and over again, so it doesn't matter if you are swinging a racket or your clubs, or if you are working on a computer or doing construction every day of the week, the pain may still come. And although the location of the pain is different between the two conditions, there are some common treatments between the two that will help reduce the risk of more damage. 

Keep reading to learn more.

Differences Between Tennis and Golfer's Elbow

Any muscle or joint in the body is subject to overuse by repetitive motions, but when it affects the area where the muscles and tendons attach to the bone, things can get seriously painful. In tennis elbow, this attachment occurs on the outside of your elbow and in golfer's elbow, the attachment occurs on the inside. Let's take a look at the mechanics of the two.

• Tennis elbow - Tennis elbow is caused when the muscles of the forearm tighten and pull at the location where the tendon attaches to the bone. The tendon can develop small tears which can lead to inflammation and stress on other parts of your arm.
• Golfer's elbow - Golfer's elbow is usually caused by overusing the muscles in the forearm as well. This condition can cause pulling, tears to the tendon, and inflammation just as tennis elbow does, but the pain is located on the inside of the arm and elbow instead of the outside.

Treating the Issue Naturally

If you suspect you might be developing a case of one or the other, there are some things you should do at home as quickly as you can. Here are some easy and quick tips to follow.

• Apply ice to the affected area
• Take a break from the underlying activity that is causing it
• Engage in gentle exercises and stretches
• Use a brace or wrap
• Adapt your technique (movement)

More Help Is Out There

Above all else, it's important to remember that If the above suggestions don't make a dent in the amount of discomfort you are feeling, or if things are only getting worse, you can head on over to The Joint Chiropractic for help. Chiropractic care is one of the best all-natural treatments for both tennis and golfer's elbow, and the chiropractors there can't wait to bring relief to your body!

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Naples, Fla.