What Are Some Common Remedies For Elbow Pain?
If you have elbow pain, it could be caused by one of several conditions. Many elbow issues are caused by overuse and sports injuries. Elbow injuries are common among golfers, baseball pitchers, tennis players, and boxers.
Some Common Remedies for Elbow Pain
Rest
Take a few days to a few weeks off from any activities that cause pain. This may make it possible for the inflammation to heal normally.
Ice Your Elbow
Ice packs on your elbow might help relieve discomfort and inflammation. Ice should not be applied straight to the skin since it can cause injury. Wrap the ice in a towel or cloth. 3 to 4 times a day, keep the ice pack in place for 15 to 20 minutes at a time. Some individuals keep frozen peas in the freezer specifically for this purpose. They retain the cold nicely, and the bag conforms to the shape you require.
Stretching
Stretching the wrist in flexion or extension can aid to activate the damaged tendons, allowing for better mobility and healing. Hold each stretch for 30 seconds before repeating three times. You should feel tense but not in excruciating agony.
Compress and Provide Support
For ailments like tennis elbow, the RICE treatment is frequently recommended: R is for rest, I is for ice, C is for compression, and E stands for elevate. Compression aids in the reduction of muscular fatigue. Wrap a compression bandage around your elbow and tighten it until you can feel it. You should be able to move your fingers freely after applying the bandage. The lower arm should have the same skin temperature and color as the rest of your arm or the other arm. Remove the bandage as soon as you realize your lower arm is cooler than the rest of your arm or the skin.
Elbow Pain Exercises
Exercise may help you recover and prevent the condition from returning, depending on the source of your elbow pain.
Stretches and exercises may include:
- relieve pain
- increase range of motion
- reduce inflammation
- strengthen muscles around the joint to help you avoid future injury
Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers
Over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve) can help reduce pain by lowering inflammation. You avoid adverse effects such as nausea, make sure to follow the directions carefully. If the pain does not go away after a few days of utilizing these pills, talk to your doctor about prescription level OTC pain medicines.
Brace Your Elbow
Tennis elbow pain might be relieved by wearing a brace that protects and supports your elbow. Although braces can be found in a variety of stores, it’s a good idea to consult a physical therapist or your doctor first to ensure you obtain the suitable brace and understand how to use it effectively. You might also want to consider using KT tape (kinesiology tape). These tapes provide support for muscles and tendons without restricting movement like braces. Elbow straps provide compression and support as well, so they could be a good alternative.
Are You Looking for Relief From Elbow, Wrist, and Hand Pain?
Pace Physical Therapy in San Jose, California specializes in non-surgical neck pain relief and recovery therapies. We pride ourselves on offering the best possible physical therapy available and going above and beyond for our patients. Our highly experienced physical therapist will work with you to improve your function and relieve your pain. We start by assessing the body as a whole. Oftentimes the cause of pain or an injury extends far beyond just the body part or muscle hurting. Without taking a comprehensive look at your entire self, we would be doing you a disservice in fully helping you heal and preventing future limitations. We then move on to fixing your areas of limitation. Don’t let your quality of life be diminished by elbow, wrist, or hand pain any longer! If you are looking for a San Jose, CA physical therapist, contact Pace Physical Therapy today to make an appointment and meet with one of our committed team members. We would be delighted to get you back to the safe and physically active life that you deserve! Contact us today to schedule your appointment!
