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Tennis Elbow?

jagermeister

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
18,060
223
Ohio
Any have or had it? First time I've ever had it and it's driving me nuts. I think I got it swinging a 4# mini sledge... I pound in a ton of stakes for certain jobs at work. The past month has been really busy and I think it finally caught up with me. I know the obvious answer is rest and ice and NSAIDs... But how does a person who actually works for a living get over it? I do too much physical labor to be able to truly rest it for any extended period of time. Anyone have any healing tips to share?
 

Wmiller07

Member
1,132
30
I'll send you a pm with my number and I can help you. I've dealt with tendinitis for awhile and there are ways to help.
 

giles

Cull buck specialist
Supporting Member
Practice swinging with your other hand. Split the work between both arms. That's what I did and it's helped me a ton. At first it took twice the amount of swings with my left hand, but that has improved over the years.
 

GoetsTalon

Senior Member
Supporting Member
4,294
128
Walbridge oh
Last year it was my left elbow and it took a year to get better. Now this year it's my right one. Pound a shitload of stakes forming for concrete. I use one of the tennis elbow straps and it helps.
 

Jamie

Senior Member
5,691
177
Ohio
I have ongoing battle with it, mostly my right arm, but now my left some. had serious bout with tendonitis in both my shoulder and elbow about 10 years ago. did physical therapy most of the winter and my ortho doc told me to get one of these.

https://www.protherapysupplies.com/...tries/ProBand-BandIT-THERAPEUTIC-FOREARM-BAND

this thing really works. works for me, anyway. I used to where it all day every day at work, but now I only where it when I'm power washing, wielding an airless spray gun or holding a brush all day. looks doofy, but seriously works and is not cumbersome or uncomfortable.
 

MK111

"Happy Hunting Grounds in the Sky"
Supporting Member
6,551
66
SW Ohio
Good luck and fast recovery. Had tendonitis in my right shoulder and took 2 years to finally heal. But I did stop using it to left the 223 brass over my head to fill the hopper. Had to use my left arm it got a little sore but never got bad. Since I stopped doing the trimming process 6 months ago both shoulders have healed up.
Now I'm going to start doing 308 brass but not near the volume of the 223 brass. I did almost 3M 223 brass last year and that's alot of over head lifting.
 

jagermeister

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
18,060
223
Ohio
Practice swinging with your other hand. Split the work between both arms. That's what I did and it's helped me a ton. At first it took twice the amount of swings with my left hand, but that has improved over the years.
So simple. Why the hell didn't I think of that?!?! Oh that's right, because I can't do shit with my left hand! Haha. I guess it's worth a try though. Like you said I might be able to get good at it.

Thanks for the tips guys. I might pick up one of those forearm straps to see if it helps.
 

Longdraw

Junior Member
496
102
Central,Ohio
My girlfriend just had surgery on her elbow because of tennis elbow,,, she has dealt with the pain for 2yrs,, she tried shots and other anti inflamatory pills, no luck at all with anything,,, so we will see how she is after it heals, the recovery time is crazy 3 to 5 months??? I would go crazy
 

Wmiller07

Member
1,132
30
The straps are kind of a bandaid. There are stretches and strength exercises I do that totally alleviates the pain. I had it so bad I couldn't bench press for two months. Now as long as I stay on top of my excersises I have no pain.
 

jagermeister

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
18,060
223
Ohio
The straps are kind of a bandaid. There are stretches and strength exercises I do that totally alleviates the pain. I had it so bad I couldn't bench press for two months. Now as long as I stay on top of my excersises I have no pain.
I did a little reading... Sounds like the stretches are whatnot are the way to go. Thanks for sending me your number. I'll see where Google takes me and if it doesn't help I may give you a call.
 

Mike

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
15,840
223
Up Nort
Been there many times. My best advice is air activated toe warmers right on the spot. The increased blood flow speeds healing, at least for me.
 

Wmiller07

Member
1,132
30
Feel free anytime. Check out Kelly starrett on YouTube. He is a PT that works with athletes and has some good stuff. The stretches will take some time to work but they are the only real long term solution.
 

giles

Cull buck specialist
Supporting Member
So simple. Why the hell didn't I think of that?!?! Oh that's right, because I can't do shit with my left hand! Haha. I guess it's worth a try though. Like you said I might be able to get good at it.

Thanks for the tips guys. I might pick up one of those forearm straps to see if it helps.

Brother, I was the same way. I practiced with a cold chisel (one with the big ass rubber protective bumper) and a dead blow. Zero chance to this day that I'd throw a ball with my left hand in public! But I can swing a hammer now. Like I said, it isn't very impressive, but it gives my right arm a break when needed. Yet still being productive.

Sounds like some other advice given would be beneficial as well. Just telling you what worked for me.

I've also been known to swing the hammer to hit on the side...much more surface area on the side[emoji23]
 

Dannmann801

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
10,640
191
Springboro
For what it's worth...for those of you who pound a typewriter all day instead of pounding stakes and such, get one of those split/curved ergonomic keyboards, and the tennis elbow will go away. Make your boss spend the money. Laptops and those little straight cheapie keyboards will seriously give you tennis elbow. It takes a little while to get used to the split board, but it's worth it.

(I'm being serious this time....)
 

Jamie

Senior Member
5,691
177
Ohio
The straps are kind of a bandaid. There are stretches and strength exercises I do that totally alleviates the pain. I had it so bad I couldn't bench press for two months. Now as long as I stay on top of my excersises I have no pain.

this is very true. I spent a few months doing physical therapy to get past it originally. specialized exercises, strength training, stretches. Interestingly, I started making real progress in PT when they started working out my triceps. when we got to that point, my pain was gone within two weeks. That was 10 years ago. I do the stretches religiously everyday and it keeps the pain away for the most part. I try to avoid the types of things that aggravate it, use my left hand as much as I can when I'm working, and do the stretches. did I mention that stretching really helps? the band offers physical support for the muscles and tendons affected when they are being over used, and increases blood flow to the affected area. It allowed me to heal up completely while still working with my hands everyday. now it is a preventive measure when I know I'm going to be doing something that makes my elbow hurt.
 
Had it on my right arm one year when I started shooting a lot trying to cram 6 months of practice into a couple weeks. Ended up with one of the compression sleeves like Jesse mentioned. About the only thing that made it go away though was stop shooting for a while. Haven't had it come back yet, knock on wood.
 

"J"

Git Off My Lawn
Supporting Member
56,743
274
North Carolina
The straps are kind of a bandaid. There are stretches and strength exercises I do that totally alleviates the pain. I had it so bad I couldn't bench press for two months. Now as long as I stay on top of my excersises I have no pain.

Same with the shots, they mask the symptoms.... Makes it worse if you use he elbow too much.... I've battled it most of my adult life and physical therapy worked the best.... Surgery is the last resort...