Do Tennis Elbow Braces Work?
Do you ever feel pain on the outside of your elbow? It may hurt when you grip things or lift stuff. That could be a sign of the tennis elbow. If you have googled about it, you may find a preventive and treatment measure recommended is wearing the tennis elbow brace, a type of forearm brace for tennis elbow.
So, what are they? Do tennis elbow braces work? This article will guide you through all for your quicker recovery from outer elbow pain. Read on for more insights!
What Is a Tennis Elbow?
Before we tackle the question 'Do tennis elbow braces work?', let's first explore what tennis elbow is, including its causes and symptoms.
Despite its name, tennis elbow does not only happen to those who play tennis. Medically, it is called lateral epicondylitis. It occurs if you often engage in tasks that place repetitive stress on the tendons of the forearm.
This repetitive stress can result from various activities, including:
- Sports: Activities such as tennis, racquetball, and squash that involve repetitive gripping and swinging motions;
- Occupational Tasks: Jobs or hobbies that require repetitive arm movements, such as painting, carpentry, plumbing, or typing;
- Non-sports and Non-occupational Activities: Everyday activities like gardening, cooking, or using tools that involve repetitive wrist and arm motions
You could experience pain on the outer side of your elbow, especially when making a fist, lifting heavy items, or participating in activities that require wrist extension. The pain may radiate down to the forearm or wrist. In some cases, it might worsen at night.
It can really intrude on the normal functioning of your daily life. Activities that people perform routinely, such as reaching for a doorknob or grabbing their phones, can become unbearably uncomfortable. Hence, knowing how to help this pain fade and return to a normal life is essential.
Do Tennis Elbow Braces Work? Design Features of Tennis Elbow Braces
Yes, they do! Tennis elbow support braces may not appear too complicated, but it cannot be denied that they are very relieving.
Pressure Dispersion
Tennis elbow braces are designed to apply targeted pressure to the forearm muscles and the area around the elbow joint. This pressure helps to alleviate inflammation and offer relief from pain by dispersing the force that would otherwise be concentrated on the affected area. Usually, there will be a pad or gel insert to offer additional cushioning and support.
Support and Stability
Yet another role played by these braces is to help strengthen and stabilize the region of the elbow joint. They usually come with straps that one can alter to the preferred tightness. This ensures that your elbow is well-positioned and does not repeatedly shift in the wrong direction. Wearing the brace may help relieve pressure on the ligament and support the injured tendon.
Material Technology and Comfort
This factor is crucial, mainly if you use a tennis elbow brace at your workplace or are involved in an activity that may take hours. This is why most braces, including the elbow compression sleeve for tennis elbow and the elbow wrap for tennis elbow, are created using lightweight, breathable fabrics. Some even use special moisture-wicking fabrics to ensure you are always dry and comfortable.
Do Tennis Elbow Braces Work? The Working Mechanism
Tennis elbow braces are like little superheroes for your arm. Let's see how the best braces for tennis elbow can help improve your condition.
- Reduce Muscle Vibration and Strain
Tennis elbow braces are typically made of elastic materials that provide compression. This compression force helps to keep the muscles and tendons in the forearm stabilized, reducing the amount of vibration that occurs during repetitive movements. By minimizing this vibration, the brace can help to decrease the strain on the affected tendons, preventing further hurt.
- Provide Proper Alignment of Tendons and Muscles
The brace supports the forearm muscles and tendons, helping to keep them in the correct alignment. This proper alignment is crucial for reducing the stress on the tendons that attach to the elbow. By ensuring that the muscles and tendons are correctly positioned, the brace can help to prevent further injury and promote healing.
- Promote Blood Circulation and Pain Relief
The appropriate compression level can also improve blood circulation in the area. Better blood flow can help deliver oxygen and nutrients to the injured tissues, which is essential for healing. Additionally, increased blood running flow can help to take away waste products at a faster speed and reduce inflammation. This can contribute to reduced pain and swelling, thereby alleviating the symptoms associated with tennis elbow.
FAQs about Tennis Elbow Braces
In case you have other questions in addition to this one: “Do tennis elbow braces work?”, this section will solve some common ones for your information.
How to Wear Tennis Elbow Braces Properly (General Guide)
Firstly, you should make sure your arm is clean and dry. Then, you shall place the brace on your arm with the compression pad or support area aligned with the affected area of your elbow.
Adjust the straps or Velcro fasteners to secure the brace in place. Make sure it is positioned correctly to provide support where needed. Remember, the brace should be snug but not overly tight. It should feel secure without cutting off circulation or causing numbness.
You may move your arm gently to ensure the brace stays in place and feels comfortable during motion.
How Long Should I Wear Tennis Elbow Braces?
Generally, some people may wear the brace only during activities that cause pain or stress on the elbow, while others may wear it for extended periods to provide continuous support. Some may also wear tennis elbow braces at night, as they find it helpful in preventing unconscious movements that can aggravate the condition.
The wearing duration really depends on the severity of the condition and the healing process. It's common to wear a brace for several weeks or months during recovery. You may go to your healthcare provider for specific advice on how long to wear the tennis elbow brace.
How Tight Should I Wear Tennis Elbow Braces?
The tennis elbow brace should be tight enough to offer the support and compression needed. Don't over-stretch the straps, as it may restrict blood flow or cause discomfort.
You should be able to feel the brace's support without it being painful or causing any numbness or tingling. Try loosening or tightening the straps or fasteners to reach a comfortable and appropriate fit for your body type.
If you have more doubts about tennis elbow braces, like the comparison of tennis elbow brace vs. compression sleeve or wondering: what is the best brace for tennis elbow. You may follow Fivali for upcoming content.
Recovery Advice for Tennis Elbow
To better recover from tennis elbow, we also gather several tips for you:
- Rest
It is better for you to temporarily stop or reduce the activities that cause pain in your elbow. This might mean taking a break from sports, work tasks, or hobbies that involve repetitive gripping or lifting.
- Cold Compress/ Massage/ Wear Braces
You can reduce inflammation and numb the pain by putting a cold pack on the affected area occasionally (maybe 15-20 minutes several times a day).
Gentle massages can improve blood flow conditions and may provide some relief. However, avoid deep tissue massage in the acute phase, as it may worsen the condition!
Additionally, as discussed, wearing a tennis elbow support brace can be helpful.
- Medication
If the pain is bothersome, you may have some over-the-counter pain relievers, like ibuprofen, to kill the pain. You may turn to a healthcare provider before starting any medication regimen.
- Rehabilitation Exercises
You may slowly integrate exercises that aim to increase flexibility and develop muscle strength to target the problematic areas of the musculotendinous unit.
- Surgical Treatment
In some extreme cases where the condition has not responded well to non-operative approaches, surgery can be performed to repair the compromised tendons and prevent the problem from recurrence.
So, now you have the answer to the frequently asked query: do tennis elbow braces work? They can play an effective role if they are used properly and you choose them right.
Here at Fivali, we offer the best braces for tennis elbow. Knowing the pain is rather annoying, and conditions could be varied, we have elbow braces for different severity levels. Follow Fivali and see what's next for your brace needs!
