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Serving
Up Tips to Avoid Tennis Elbow
Don't
let your life get fouled up by tennis elbow. A serving of preparation
and planning will net you freedom from that nagging injury.
Tennis elbow -- or lateral epicondyle
-- refers to pain at the bony bump on the outside of the elbow,
according to the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine
(AOSSM). The pain is caused by repetitive stress on the muscles
connected to the lateral epicondyle.
The pain isn't limited to time
spent bashing a ball with a racket. It can flare up with any activity
or movement that requires the contraction of these muscles. That
includes shaking hands, picking up objects with your palms down,
or turning door knobs, health experts say.
Treatment for tennis elbow may
include rest, stretching and strengthening exercises, ultrasound,
or electrical stimulation to increase blood circulation to the
area. Other options include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications
such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or prescription drugs that reduce
the irritation caused by the inflammation, the AAOSM says.
Applying ice to the joint after
tennis or other activities may decrease inflammation and relieve
the pain.
The best way to deal with tennis
elbow is to prevent it. The AAOSM offers the following advice:
- Warm up before you play tennis.
Muscles stretch better when they're warm. Keep your muscles
warm while you play.
- Select the proper equipment and
maintain it. Stress on your elbow and wrist can be increased
by a racquet handle that's too small or big, a racquet that's
strung too tightly or loosely, or one that has too big or small
a head.
- Stay in shape for tennis. Stretch
and strengthen all the muscles you use while playing. Evaluate
your tennis techniques to make sure you're not doing something
that causes or irritates tennis elbow.
More information
There's more about tennis elbow
at the Yale
Sports Medicine Center.
Reference
Source 101
For
more information on how to prevent other diseases, use
PreventDisease.com's "Quick
Prevention Resources".
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