Home Remedies and Herbs for Tennis Elbow

Lateral epicondylitis, better known as tennis elbow, is a condition that leads to pain along the outer side--or lateral side--of the arm by the elbow.1,2 It’s common in people who play racquet sports like tennis, hence the common name, but it can happen to anyone who performs repetitive motions with their arms, such as painters, carpenters, plumbers, and butchers.1 Even individuals who work on a computer all day are at risk of tennis elbow from prolonged keyboard and mouse use.2 

What Causes Tennis Elbow?

Tennis elbow is caused by overuse that leads to damage of the tendons between the forearm and the elbow. In overuse injuries, small tears form in the tendon over time and eventually cause pain in the elbow, arm, and wrists.³ However, a single elbow injury, such as a direct blow, can also damage the tendons and cause tennis elbow. In some cases, the tennis elbow cause remains unknown.

Anyone can get tennis elbow, but it most commonly affects individuals in their 40s. Risk for developing tennis elbow depends on your age, occupation, or hobbies, such as the types of sports you play. You’re more likely to get tennis elbow if you use poor form when performing repetitive tasks or use equipment that isn’t suited for you.³

Tennis Elbow Symptoms

Tennis elbow symptoms may include:

• Elbow pain that worsens over time
• Pain in other parts of the arm or hands
• Radiating pain down the elbow and forearm when twisting
• Weak grasp

Individuals with tennis elbow may find that their pain interferes with everyday tasks such as gripping an object, opening a door, turning a key, shaking hands, or holding a cup of coffee.^1,3

Tennis elbow is diagnosed through a physical exam. You may need an X-ray to help rule out other problems or undergo an MRI scan to confirm the diagnosis.^2,3 Tennis elbow usually heals on its own and is treated through rest, over-the-counter pain medications, or herbal remedies that help in managing the pain and inflammation.⁵ 

In some cases, patients may undergo physical therapy to strengthen the muscles and tendons to aid in recovery.⁵ Severe cases may require surgery. Your doctor may inject various medications into the tendon; perform an ultrasonic tenotomy, which involves the use of ultrasounds and needles to help remove the damaged tissue; or suggest operative surgery performed through a large incision to remove the tissue.

References

1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tennis-elbow/symptoms-causes/syc-20351987
2. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000449.htm
3. http://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/hw225372
4. http://www.umm.edu/programs/orthopaedics/services/shoulder-and-elbow/tennis-elbow
5. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tennis-elbow/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351991