How Do I Strength Train With Tennis Elbow?

Tennis elbow, otherwise known as lateral epicondylitis, is a condition that affects more than just tennis players. In fact, the condition is common in those who strength train and body build. The pain is caused by an inflammation of the tendons that run from the forearms to the elbow. While the pain starts in the elbow area, it can extend to the forearm and even to the wrist if not taken care of properly. There are several ways that you can treat tennis elbow and allow yourself to strength train at the same time.

  1. Do Nothing

    • If the tennis elbow isn't interfering too much with your daily routine, you may be able to simply work your way through it. According to the Mayo Clinic, tennis elbow will often get better over a period of six months to a year without any care steps. Using this wait-and-see approach may keep your strength-training program on schedule.

    Self-Treatment

    • If the condition gets to a point where working out is too painful and you're worried about the pain actually getting worse, you can try simple self-treatment steps in hopes of getting your tennis elbow to turn around. Rest is the most widely used way to treat tennis elbow. Taking days off from strength training can mean pushing back your progress, but it is a necessary evil when the condition becomes too painful. Over-the-counter pain relievers and spot icing are other ways in which you can treat the pain and help with the recovery.

    Exercises

    • There may be ways to continue with your strength-training regimen and actually improve the condition of the tendons, simply by doing a few good stretching exercises that help to alleviate some of the tightness in the tendon. It's best to consult with a doctor or physical therapist to find out which stretching and strengthening exercises are best for your condition. Commonly, the exercises are fairly simple and can be done during off times at work or at home.

    Surgery

    • Tennis elbow can become a chronic injury, never really allowing you to fully embrace a particular strength-training program. Your physician may recommend surgery to treat the problem. There are two things a surgeon can do: trim some of the tendon or completely detach the tendon from the elbow and then reattach it so there is less tension. Of course, you will have to put aside any thoughts of strength training in that arm while the surgery heals. You'll also have to undergo physical therapy after surgery.