1. Avoid Repetitive Tasks If you are active in a particular sport that involves high impact and/or hitting movements involving your arm – consider adding a cross-training regimen to offset these activities. If you haven’t played for a while, make sure you start out slow to ease back into play. It may take a number of weeks to build your strength back up and return to the proper form and technique you once had. Remember, the more tired you are the more likely you are to break proper form and cause injuries.
2. Do Forearm Exercises Every other day, perform simple wrist flexion and extension exercises which target the muscles in your forearm. Because your forearm muscles attach at your elbow, they need to stay strong especially if you are strenuously working your arm.
3. Consider Trying a Tennis Elbow Strap Within the first few days of suffering tennis elbow, a [u]tennis elbow strap[/u]can be beneficial. This is a type of brace should be worn below your elbow and can help to lessen the stress to your muscle while you are playing tennis and dissipate the pain throughout your forearm. Adding pressure to your tendon can help reduce pain. Be sure not to pull the strap too tight as it can cut off your blood circulation in your arm.
4. Take Breaks If your arm becomes sore, take that as a hint that your body needs a break. Playing sports that require a lot of arm movements are prone to resulting in pain such as tennis elbow so be sure to take plenty of breaks between matches. Also, if you feel pain, apply ice at least twice a day to help reduce inflammation and ease the pain.
5. Regular Exercise & Proper Form When Lifting Heavy Options/Weight Lifting If you don’t use the muscles in your forearm on a daily basis, then you are putting yourself at risk of injury if you don’t start out slow with new sports such as tennis and adopt a physical conditioning regimen. Exercise your muscles to make them strong and flexible to bear stress. This includes stretching your muscles by moving them up and down. Exercises like push-ups, rotating arm and bending and stretching arm will make your muscles strong. Regardless of heavy the object is, always keep your palms facing your body with your arms bent. This takes the stress off the small forearm muscles and tendons and places in on the larger muscles such as your biceps, back and chest.
6. Warmup and Stretch Before you engage in any physical activity, you should get the blood pumping to your muscles. This allows your muscles to be more flexible, improve your range of motion and bear added stress while you play tennis. This will help to decrease your risk of injury.
7. Check Your Tennis Equipment If your tennis racket is too heavy or perhaps too larger or too small that may be causing unnecessary strain on your arm. Consider replacing your tennis racket with a light weight and flexible racket. Ensure the handle of the racket is not too large. Consider a visit to your local tennis pro shop for proper fit with your equipment.
8. Proper Technique Consider hiring a professional tennis coach to ensure you are using proper form and technique. This is crucial to avoid over-using muscles the wrong way – preventing tennis elbow from even starting. The sloppier your form, the greater the risk of injury.A good technique will allow you to play longer because there will be less stress on the smaller muscles and tendons. You’ll have more fun and fatigue much slower.
