It’s common to experience a variety of discomforts, but how should you treat tennis elbow during pregnancy? The cause of tennis elbow is from overuse of the tendons joining the forearm and elbow. It is common in people who do repetitive actions every day with their arms.
Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is a condition where the tendons that join the forearm and the elbow are inflamed, causing pain or discomfort. Lateral epicondylitis can also cause pain down the forearm and even into the wrist. Although known by its common name of tennis elbow, it does not only affect tennis players.
How to Treat Tennis Elbow Naturally During Pregnancy
Tennis elbow can be tended to naturally with a few different options. A combination of these options might be your best bet for tackling this tendonitis.
Option 1: Rest
This may seem like a no-brainer, but since tennis elbow is caused by overwork or overuse of the tendons, resting the affected arm will generally be the first treatment prescribed. Depending on how severe your tennis elbow is, you may need to rest your arm anywhere from a few days to several weeks or even months in order for the tendons to heal.
Option 2: Ice
Although icing the afflicted area will not cure the tendonitis, it can be helpful in temporarily relieving the pain, because it is working to reduce inflammation in the elbow. This is more effective when combined with the above-noted rest.
Option 3: Physical Therapy / Massage
Knock out two birds with one stone! A physical therapist will help relieve your tendonitis, and they might be able to massage the area to help break up some of the scar tissue.
Option 4: Acupuncture
An acupuncturist can strategically place small needles in areas surrounding the tendinitis in your elbow and knew and provide relief and often speed up recovery.
How to Treat Elbow Pain During Pregnancy When Naturally Does Not Work
Unfortunately, some conditions may not alleviate themselves with natural remedies, such as rest or ice. For pregnant women still experiencing significant pain, start with over-the-counter medication, and then transition into medical options if needed.
Here are some steps you can take to treat arm pain during pregnancy
Option 1: Take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen to see if it helps to relieve the pain. Pregnant women should avoid taking Ibuprofen or Aspirin (i.e. Motrin, Advil).
Option 2: A topical pain reliever cream, such as IcyHot, can be an option. IcyHot sells a brand of natural creams called IcyHot Naturals, which contain menthols, but you should consult your doctor before using a product like this, since it may interfere with certain medications.
Option 3: If this does not work, your doctor may prescribe a cortisone shot. However, you should talk to your doctor about the potential risks for you and your baby, before considering this option.
Want to Know More?
Compiled using information from the following sources:
1. Mayoclinic.org,. (2014). Tennis elbow Definition – Diseases and Conditions – Mayo Clinic.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tennis-elbow/basics/definition/con-20043041
2. Orthoinfo.aaos.org,. (2014). Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis) – OrthoInfo – AAOS.
