Whether you're an avid sports player or you've injured your elbow in some other way and just need relief, elbow pain can make it hard to perform even the most mundane daily tasks. Elbow pain may be the result of any number of different conditions, such as arthritis, fluid in the elbow or even a condition known as tennis elbow.
Step 1
Wrap and immobilize your elbow at the first sign of pain. If you notice swelling in the joint, apply ice for 15 minutes at a time. Do not apply the ice directly to the skin. Use a bandage or a towel to hold the ice pack in place.
Step 2
Keep your elbow lifted above the level of your heart when possible. This will keep excess blood from flowing to the area and help minimize swelling.
Step 3
Take over-the-counter pain reliever and anti-inflammatory medication such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen to help relieve the pain and reduce any swelling.
Step 4
Rest the elbow completely--keeping it wrapped to avoid bending it--for at least two days. Unwrap the elbow after the rest period and bend it gently to test your range of motion and pain level.
Step 5
Talk to a doctor if you continue to experience significant pain. He may be able to diagnose you with a specific injury or condition and prescribe medication or physical therapy.
Step 6
Use strength training exercises to strengthen the muscles surrounding your elbow, including the forearm muscles, your bicep and tricep. This will help prevent future elbow injuries from happening.
Step 7
Stretch your arm before playing sports such as tennis, racquetball or badminton to relive the pain associated with tennis elbow. Wear a counterforce brace on your forearm if you experience tennis elbow on a regular basis. This brace will help relieve the stress on your forearm muscles and tendons, which may lead to tennis elbow.
Things You'll Need
- Bandage
- Ice
- Forearm brace
