While almost half of all tennis players suffer from tennis elbow, only 5 percent of all patients diagnosed with tennis elbow actually play the game.  There are many causes for tennis elbow.  These include:

• Pressure on the elbow

• Stress

• Exertion of the muscles

• Damage to the muscles, tendons and ligaments around the elbow joint

• Moving the elbow in a constant movement

• Radial nerve pressure

Symptoms of tennis elbow:

• Recurring pain on the outside of the upper forearm, right below the bend of the elbow

• Pain that happens when lifting or bending the arm

• Difficulty extending the forearm

• Pain that lasts for longer than six weeks

The pain from tennis elbow is caused from tiny tears in a part of the tendon and in the muscle’s coverings.  After an initial injury heals, the areas often tear again.  This can lead to hemorrhaging, causing rough, granulated tissue and calcium deposits within the tissues.  The collagen leaks out from the injured areas causing inflammation.  At this point, pressure is caused by the inflammation that can cut off the blood flow and pinch the radial nerve. 

Home remedies for tennis elbow:

• Heat packs:  alternate ice packs with heat packs

• Potato pack:  warm and baked potatoes can reduce pain

• A derivative of hot pepper:  Zostrix can be wrapped around the elbow joint