Tennis Elbow Exercises: Relieve Pain And Strengthen Your Arm

The Importance of Tennis Elbow Exercises

If you are experiencing pain and discomfort in your elbow, you may be suffering from tennis elbow. This condition, medically known as lateral epicondylitis, is caused by overuse of the forearm muscles, resulting in inflammation and tenderness around the outer part of the elbow. Tennis elbow exercises not only help relieve the pain but also strengthen the arm, preventing further injury and promoting healing.

Exercise 1: Wrist Extension

One effective exercise for tennis elbow is the wrist extension. Start by placing your forearm on a table or any flat surface with your palm facing downwards. Hold a weight or a can of soup in your hand and slowly lift your hand upwards, keeping your forearm stationary. Hold for a few seconds and then lower the weight back down. Repeat this exercise for 10-15 repetitions, gradually increasing the weight as you build strength.

Exercise 2: Forearm Twist

The forearm twist exercise targets the muscles in your forearm, helping to alleviate tennis elbow pain. Hold a light dumbbell or a hammer in your hand with your palm facing upwards. Slowly rotate your hand to the side, keeping your forearm stationary. Hold for a few seconds and then rotate your hand back to the starting position. Repeat this exercise for 10-15 repetitions, gradually increasing the weight as your forearm muscles become stronger.

Exercise 3: Eccentric Wrist Flexion

Eccentric wrist flexion is another effective exercise for tennis elbow. Hold a dumbbell or a can of soup in your hand with your palm facing upwards. Slowly lower the weight towards the ground, extending your wrist as far as possible. Hold for a few seconds and then return to the starting position. Repeat this exercise for 10-15 repetitions, gradually increasing the weight as your wrist becomes stronger.

Exercise 4: Finger Stretch

Tennis elbow can also cause discomfort in the fingers. To alleviate this, perform finger stretches. Start by extending your arm in front of you and spread your fingers wide apart. Hold this position for a few seconds and then relax. Repeat this exercise 10-15 times, feeling the stretch in your fingers and palm.

Exercise 5: Wrist Flexor Stretch

To stretch the muscles in your forearm, try the wrist flexor stretch. Extend your arm in front of you with your palm facing upwards. Use your other hand to gently pull your fingers towards your body until you feel a stretch in your forearm. Hold this position for 30 seconds and then release. Repeat this stretch 2-3 times on each arm.

Exercise 6: Tennis Ball Squeeze

The tennis ball squeeze exercise helps strengthen the grip and forearm muscles, reducing the strain on the elbow. Hold a tennis ball in your hand and squeeze it as hard as possible for 5 seconds. Release and repeat this exercise for 10-15 repetitions. As your grip strength improves, you can use a firmer ball or a stress ball to increase the challenge.

Exercise 7: Arm Circles

A simple yet effective exercise for tennis elbow is arm circles. Extend your arms out to the sides at shoulder height. Make small circles with your arms, gradually increasing the size of the circles. Continue for 30 seconds and then reverse the direction of the circles. Repeat this exercise 2-3 times, feeling the muscles in your shoulders and upper arms working.

Exercise 8: Tricep Dips

Tricep dips target the muscles at the back of your upper arms, helping to strengthen the entire arm. Sit on the edge of a chair or a bench with your hands gripping the edge. Extend your legs out in front of you and slowly lower your body towards the ground, bending your elbows. Push back up to the starting position and repeat for 10-15 repetitions. If this exercise is too challenging, you can bend your knees or use a support to assist you.

Exercise 9: Resistance Band Curls

Resistance band curls are a great way to strengthen your biceps and forearms, reducing the strain on the elbow. Secure one end of a resistance band to a sturdy object and hold the other end in your hand with your palm facing upwards. Slowly curl your hand towards your shoulder, keeping your elbow stationary. Hold for a few seconds and then return to the starting position. Repeat for 10-15 repetitions on each arm.

Exercise 10: Cross Body Stretch

To stretch the muscles in your forearm and shoulder, try the cross body stretch. Extend one arm across your chest and use your other arm to gently pull it towards your body. Hold this stretch for 30 seconds and then switch arms. Repeat this stretch 2-3 times on each side, feeling the tension release in your arm and shoulder.