watervole: (Toothache)
Judith Proctor ([personal profile] watervole) wrote2011-03-13 12:45 pm

Treating tennis elbow

I'm rapidly coming to the conclusion that either the doctor mis-diagnosed what was wrong with my elbow, or that millions of people are suffering when there is treatment that will help.

On reading the NHS site, I noticed that physiotherapy was one of the possible treatments.

So, I decided to run through all the exercises I do for my neck, shoulder and arms - which I realised I'd neglected for quite some time.

One of the exercises in my set is to dip  a handweight down behind the back of the neck.  Two sets of ten for each hand.  I think it targets the triceps.  Almost as soon as I'd finished, I noticed a distinct reduction in my pain levels.

I'm also working on massaging all muscles that lead to the elbow.  Following them with my fingers, it isn't hard to find the ones that are sore and give them a good rub.  This relaxes the muscles and stops them pulling so hard on the tendons - that's what actually causes the pain at the elbow, it's the tendons hurting.

After two days, pain levels are down by 50% and I'm using my arm a lot more instead of trying to let it hang by my side to avoid using it.

Playing the concertina is still painful, though not impossible.

I'm hoping that a full week of exercise and massage will cure the problem totally.  I'll keep you posted...

[identity profile] sweetheartwhale.livejournal.com 2011-03-13 02:32 pm (UTC)(link)
If you ever get a chance to learn tribal dance , do it. There are arm drills and exercises whic taregt exactly the muscles you are talking about. ive found it very useful in dealing with juscles stiffened up by work. I can find back shoulder arm and knees all knackered ( techn ical term ;_0) by the end of my working "weeks". gentle exercise helps as does hot baths! And gardening for some reason ( because of bending and stretching or just relaxing ?)

[identity profile] sweetheartwhale.livejournal.com 2011-03-13 02:33 pm (UTC)(link)
Hoping you feel better anyway. Im mentally and physically knackered at present but I dont get too down about it because I enjoy my physical work and my MPhil. And theres always a cat or two about to curl up next to...

[identity profile] sammason.livejournal.com 2011-03-13 03:18 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm glad this is working for you and hope it continues to do so.

[identity profile] vjezkova.livejournal.com 2011-03-13 08:46 pm (UTC)(link)
You are amazing. I think you will manage to recover...just be careful.