Tennis elbow

[owlhause]

Anyone out there suffer from tennis elbow?? and if so do you have an anti-inflamitory of choice? (prescription names please...over the counter doesn't cut it!)

The stuff they gave me hasen't been effective...thought I'd try to get opinions from anyone with the same problem.

greg

[Mike_B]

Greg,
Have you tried the tight band that fits around the arm just below your elbow?
You find them with elbow, knee and wrist supports in the drugstores.

Greg,
When I was carving A LOT, I had that problem with my right elbow. I used one of the bands that was just described after caricature instructor Phil Bishop told me about using them. I also used naproxin that was prescribed by a physician for pain from car wreck injuries (it's what's in Aleve, I think) but with all the bad publicity that it's getting lately (causing heart problems) I'd have to rethink that. The band would be the least invasive solution.Idea

Donna T

I've had more than my share of sprains and repetitive use injuries (tennis elbow) over the years from playing football, hockey, baseball, tennis, and golf (yes golf). The meds never seem to do much good. What works the best (for me) is as soon as possible after using the injured joint (usually withing a half hour) put an ice pack on it for 30 to 45 minutes, followed by 30 minutes or so of heat. The ice seems to be the real helper. Another treatment that I got from a physical thereapist was a half hour of silicon hot (real hot) packs followed by hydrocortisone cream worked into the area with a small hand held utrasound unit. I don't think there is any quick easy fix. Time, sometimes lots of it, is the deal.

Greg - is your tennis elbow caused by carving? I can't offer advice about meds but I'm sure having painful problems with "tennis neck" caused by the stupid way I carve. The neurologist I see on a regular basis says I have to get to a chiropractor. Good grief. So far I haven't tried that but it sounds better than a tight band around my neck, huh?

[owlhause]

Thanks!...I'll try the arm band thing and ice...doctor didn't even mention the arm band.

I've really been carving non-stop the last few months, hopefully the coming slow period will help (my elbow...not my income!)

[owlhause]

I'm sure its from carving Nancy...I was at a show awhile back and I didn't use my carving stand to demonstrate, I held the piece while I worked on it. I believe that change from my usual "routine" put the extra stress on my elbow...at least thats when it started.

Don't be afraid of those "back crackers"...they can do some amazing things!!

greg

I too have problems with my left arm and sometimes wonder if it isn't the computer that causes it? Anyway, wallyworld has the arm band by "ACE" that does help..they also have something called "Tiger Balm" that is outstanding....however, you have to remember to put it on everyday!, I put it on, the arm feels better, I forget to put it on again, arms hurts and around and around! lol . The tiger balm creates a lot of heat, smell is not bad at least to me, but it seems to soak in and not be greasy after a very short time! It isn't cheap for a very small jar, but I definitely would buy it again (oh it does last a long time and I dip a kleenex in and wipe it on my arm, the smell takes forever to come off your hands if you put it on that way....from experience ) Another note, wallyworld has one that is a thick felt that doesn't seem to work as good, this one wraps around and attaches with velcro and has a secondary round strap that also attaches with the velcro, the secondary is across the muscle that hurts...this all works for me!

[oldbearx2]

Hey all sounds like we have a recurring problem here. After talking to a couple of MDs they all seem to like the hot pack/ice pack therapy routine. Also Nancy I too have a problem with my neck probably from they way I carve also. I've found the hot/cold works, but I've aslo changed my carving position some. I have an old office chair that I can lean back in. I wear an apron and just let the chips fall in my lap. I use to find my self leaning over my carving table a lot and may have been the cause of my neck pain. One word of caution with any pain or injury make sure you check your doctor before you start any type of therapy. As I tell my wife it's a pain getting old. have fun, carve oldbearx2

Harold

I guess we should call it carvers elbow instead of tennis elbow. Yes I think we all have the same problems. I agree my physical therapist told me about the arm band and it worked for me. I also have developed neck and back problems from carving. Evidently if you are bent over a work bench or saw horse or carving vice it can cause a problem called "creep" when you are bent over it allows the fluid to run out of the discs and when you stand back up it cause's severe pain. I would be careful about the meds they will probably prescribe anti inflamitories such as Viox and Celebrex and we all know the news on those drugs. I have to agree with the arm band and ice and heat. Stay away from those meds
Colin