Sports Medicine
A Crucial Period
Good Pain, Bad Pain
On Your Knees
Secondary Injuries
Imaging Technology
What's Sciatica?
The Female Athlete
Putting Your Feet First
Itis Schmitis
Too Much, Too Soon
Under the Influence
Twisted
What's Goin' On?
Think Inches, Not Pounds
Preventing Vaginitis
That Painful Pull
Athlete's Heart
Exercise & Arthritis
Chilled to the Bone
Measuring Body Fat
Exercise and Your Breasts
Choosing a Sports Doctor
Lean on Me (Shoulder)
Exercise & Anemia
Exercise Abuse
Pelvis Sighting
Hand Aid
It's All in the Wrist
Back in Action
Altitude Adjustment
Tennis Elbow, Anyone?
Exercising in the Heat
Agony of the Feet
Restless Legs
Night Time Cramps
Birth Control Concerns
No Periods, No Babies?
Post Partum Prescription
Weight Loss Mystery
Undesirable Cooldown
To Brew Or Not To Brew
Fitness After Baby
Biking and Back Pain
Swimmer's Shoulder
A Hidden Athlete
Avoiding Osteoporosis
Drug Testing
Maximum Heart Rate
Headway Against Headaches
Torn Rotator Cuff
Fat Figures
SOS About PMS
Bloody Urine
Sag Story
Lackluster Leg
Bothersome Bulge
Gaining in Years
Taking It On the Shin
Aching Ankles
Hoop Help
Tender Toes
Meals For Muscle
Growing Pains
Hot Tips
High Altitude PMS
Personal Bests
Air Pollution
Ankle Blues
Heartbreak Heel
Yeast Relief



Tennis Elbow, Anyone?

Continued...

Almost half of those who play daily develop tennis elbow. Occasional players rarely play often enough or hard enough to overstress their arms, and professionals are usually protected by their muscle strength and training.

Epicondyle tendinitis often occurs in a weaker player developing a new stroke or using a tightly strung racquet. To stroke correctly use your legs, trunk and shoulder to power your stroke instead of flailing with your arm or wrist.

During a stroke, the elbow should be fully extended with a firm wrist so the force is transferred to your shoulder. Beginners can start with a two-handed stroke until they develop the necessary strength.

If the racquet is tightly strung or has a very stiff frame, impact from hitting the ball may be transmitted to your forearm muscles. Using a lighter, midsize, loosely strung racquet may help. Cushioned grip hands around the handle of a racquet or golf club may help reduce impact, shock and vibration.

Using a larger grip may also reduce the pain by decreasing the gripping pressure at the wrist. Biomechanical studies of skilled players have shown they reduce racquet acceleration to zero just before impact with the ball. This apparently lessens grip pressure.

Preventing Tennis Elbow

The best defense against tennis elbow is to strengthen and stretch the forearm muscles. One of the easiest exercises is to hold your arm and wrist straight out and squeeze a tennis or racquet bail 40 to 50 times. You also can use weights to strengthen the muscles. Stretch the muscles by doing prayer motions with fingers pointing up and down.

If you develop tennis elbow - reduce your activities until the pain disappears. Use ice (a pack of frozen peas works well) directly over the tender area 10 to 15 minutes three times a day. Begin a very gentle stretching program. With your arm extended, flex the wrist back until you feel tightness, then hold. Do not overstretch.

Use an elbow brace to support the forearm muscles and reduce the forces transmitted to the tendons. The brace constricts the muscle and takes the pressure off the tendon. See a doctor for further evaluation and a possible referral to physical therapy for a supervised stretching and strengthening program.

What else can you do?

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Table of Contents

Foreword: Billie Jean King

Comments by Barb Harris
Editor in Chief,
Shape Magazine



General Health
Nutrition
Exercise
Common Medical Problems
Dental Health
Emergency!
Infectious Disease
Sexual Health
Emotional Well-Being
Eating Disorders
Alcohol & Other Drugs
Environmental Health
Prevention


The information in this web site is for educational purposes only and is not providing medical or professional advice. It should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. It is not a substitute for professional medical care. If you have or suspect you might have any health problems, you should consult a physician.


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