Tennis elbow is a common but debilitating condition that is caused by stress and strain on the tendons that surround the elbow. Its name stems from the high frequency with which tennis players encounter severe elbow pain. This pain is often due to poor grip on the racket and to poor balance between use of the wrist and use of the forearm during swings.

Although the lateral tendons are implicated in the painful symptoms of tennis elbow, the broader musculature of the arm is also involved. In particular, the muscles in the forearm play a crucial role in producing symptoms of tennis elbow. As the muscles merge into the tendons, they insert into bony bits at the elbow. This is a high stress area and one that is prone to swelling, inflammation, and degeneration.

Symptoms of tennis elbow include pain on the outer part of the elbow and radiating pain in the forearm. Many people experience no symptoms until they go to lift or move a heavy object, at which point the pain becomes severe and debilitating. Although over-the-counter medications are likely to bring some relief, they are not a lasting solution for the pain associated with tennis elbow.

A more viable alternative resides with strengthening and stretching exercises that restore balance and flexibility to the muscles and tendons in the forearm. These exercises can prevent undue stress and strain on the elbow and they can make painful swelling and inflammation much less likely. Indeed, the vast majority of people who try this approach see substantial symptom reduction in as little as 4-6 weeks. Visit www.repetitive-strain.com to obtain more information on how to prevent and treat the symptoms of tennis elbow.