Many repetitive stress injuries are named after the activity that most frequently causes them – and no malady is more illustrative of this point than the aptly named 'tennis elbow'. But if you've managed to inflict this injury upon yourself, then you're probably looking at a way to fix it without spending countless hours in and out of doctors' offices and pharmacies. So if you're looking for a few natural, at home solutions to your elbow woes, then here's what you need to know.
Hot 'n' Cold
Well known as an old home remedy for a hangover, hot-cold hydrotherapy can be just the thing for getting your elbow back to normal quickly. The heat helps it to heal by increasing your blood flow (and relieving pain) in the affected area, while the cold helps reduce the swelling that's happening to your elbow. You don't need two giant buckets of water to do this, though – simply apply a hot compress (a hot water bottle wrapped in a tea towel will do the trick nicely) for 3-5 minutes to the sore area, then alternate it with a cold compress for no more than 2 minutes. Repeat this process until 20 minutes has gone by, then give yourself a rest from both the heat and the cold.
Gingerly Treat It
Is there anything this wonderful little root can't do? Ginger is well known not only for its antimicrobial benefits but also its power as an anti-inflammatory – and it's that second role that you're going to be the most interested in when it comes to tennis elbow, which is basically just the inflammation of the tendons around your elbow due to overuse. Ginger tea will help to transfer the root's healing properties to your body; just boil a small square of ginger – about a half inch wide, tall, and long – in about 1.5-2 cups of water for ten minutes, then remove the ginger cube (and add in a bit of honey or raw sugar if the tea's a little bitter for you) and drink slowly. If you make this three times a day – morning, noon, and night – you should start to see improvement after a few days or so.
Oil Up
Essential oils massaged into your sore elbow can help speed healing and reduce swelling all in one go, while also improving blood flow to the injured place. Mix 4-5 drops of essential oils (cypress, peppermint, and frankincense work best here) with a tablespoon of coconut oil and massage – or have someone else massage, if you can't reach – it onto the area around your elbow.
Click here to read more about tennis elbow treatment ideas.
Share10 November 2016
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