Tennis elbow

SuprSi

I've been playing quite a bit of Squash over the last few months, up to 4 games a week (but mostly 2 - 3) and have noticed my elbow becoming quite sore, particularly after playing 2 nights in a row. I've done a bit of research and I think I understand how it happens, but apart from rest there doesn't seem to be much out there telling me how to fix it.

Naturally enough I don't want to rest it as I'm thoroughly enjoying playing, plus it's the cardio part of my workout, but it was bad enough on Monday morning (having played Sat/Sun) that it affected my normal workout, so I need to do something.

Arm stretches and warm-ups were recommended, though I don't know any. Can anyone assist?

Reyman

Inside forearm or outside?

SuprSi

Sorry, meant to reply earlier to this. Inner forearm, though it feels like it's inside my elbow, if that helps.

RacoonQueen

SuprSi wrote: »

Sorry, meant to reply earlier to this. Inner forearm, though it feels like it's inside my elbow, if that helps.

Then it's not tennis elbow, tennis elbow effects the outer arm.

See a physio.

Reyman

Mp's right's it's not tennis elbow and it's best to see a physio to have a look at it. Anyway the correct term is golfer's elbow. I'm betting it's your right arm from the forehand drive in squash
My own experience of what works for this injury is below:

1. Rest, rest, rest --- i.e. absolutely no squash. No weight lifting that involves gripping eg rowing, pull downs, dead lift etc. Push type exercises are ok.
2. Stretching the inner forearm by stretching the arm at full length and pulling the fingers back towards you. Do several times a day for 20-30 secs.
3. If you do have to do any gripping exercises eg carrying shopping. Ice the forearm for 20 minutes immediately after to limit the damage.

If you're lucky it could improve in a couple of weeks. Unlucky and it could take 6-9 months

Hanley

Reyman wrote: »

If you're lucky it could improve in a couple of weeks. Unlucky and it could take 6-9 months

Just a point here, luck will have very little to do with it. And rest will do even less. You have to address the underlying cause. There may be some inflamation there now that'll require ice and rest to settle down, but once you've done that find a good sports physio who can explain WHY it happened in the first place.

It might be a tightness in the muscles around your arm somewhere or it might be an imbalance issue of some sort. I've no idea, but it's something you should try to find out.

SuprSi

Thanks for the advice all, think I'll rest it over the holidays and head to a physio in the new year.