Tennis Elbow, Golfer’s Elbow, and Other Repetitive Strain Injuries: When Rest Isn’t Enough

Overuse injuries like tennis and golfer’s elbows are incredibly common, affecting people of all ages and activity levels. While names like tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow imply that you have to be an athlete to experience these conditions, at their core, both are overuse injuries, more specifically repetitive strain injuries. Often, these injuries cause mild pain and heal on their own with simple rest and over-the-counter pain management medications. For some patients, however, these injuries cause higher levels of pain, impair their ability to work or stay active, and stick around longer than they should. When this happens, Specialty Pain Management is here to help you find the relief you need from tennis and golfer’s elbow when rest alone isn’t enough.

What Are Repetitive Strain Injuries?

Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow are both types of repetitive strain injuries that occur when repeated stress is placed on the body’s tendons, ligaments, or muscles. When stress is repeatedly placed upon these body parts, minor damage that occurs starts to build up faster than the body can repair itself. This can cause tissue damage, tendon degeneration, and inflammation that can leave you dealing with pain and other troubling symptoms. While many repetitive-use injuries will heal on their own with rest, some patients may not be able to recover with rest alone, requiring specialized care and modern treatment options. We’ll take a closer look at why this happens and how pain management providers can help you when repetitive strain injuries like tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow don’t go away on their own.

Signs Your Tennis or Golfer’s Elbow May Need More Care Than Rest Alone

While the majority of tennis and golfer’s elbow cases and other repetitive strain injuries are mild and heal on their own with rest, in some cases, additional treatments may be needed. Some of the warning signs that you should seek specialized care for your repetitive strain injury include:

  • Pain that persists for multiple weeks
  • Weakness that continues to increase
  • Loss of function
  • Pain that interferes with your daily life

If you’re experiencing these complications with your repetitive strain injury, we recommend having your pain evaluated as soon as possible, as delaying treatment can make your recovery more complicated the longer you wait.

Treatment Options for Repetitive Strain Injuries

Two women smiling and walking arm-in-arm on an outdoor pickleball court in Macomb County, each holding a paddle, dressed in athletic wear, enjoying a sunny day—staying active and mindful of ankle pain and Achilles tendon injuries.

If you’re dealing with a repetitive strain injury like tennis or golfer’s elbow that isn’t improving after rest, you may need a better treatment option. Luckily, at Specialty Pain Management, we have several safe, effective, and affordable treatment options for repetitive strain injuries. Some of the more common treatments we may recommend for you include:

  • Bracing and support
  • Physical therapy
  • Activity modification
  • Image-guided injections

Getting treated at the first sign of a lingering repetitive strain injury is important, as chronic injuries can worsen over time if left untreated. Early treatment can also allow you to return to your regular activities faster, whether that’s a sport, work, or your favorite activity. To get started, contact our team at Specialty Pain Management today.

Advanced Treatment Options for Tennis Elbow, Golfer’s Elbow, and Other Repetitive Strain Injuries at Specialty Pain Management

Getting help with a challenging repetitive strain injury like tennis or golfer’s elbow doesn’t have to be challenging when you come under the care of our team at Specialty Pain Management. Our team of board-certified pain management doctors has decades of combined experience helping pain patients find the relief they need. To get started, contact our team today to set up your appointment.