Warning: Tennis Elbow is The Bane of Carpenters

You probably love your job as a carpenter – bringing people joy with what you build and do. But carpenters often suffer from injuries while doing their job, and while there are many ones that you're familiar with- you should also be aware of tennis elbow. 

Tennis elbow is a painful condition of the arm that can be caused by repetitive and forceful use of the hand and wrist. Tennis elbow affects the tendon that connects the muscle in your forearm to the bone within your elbow. It can cause pain behind your elbow, through your forearm, and even down into your fingers.

Carpenters develop tennis elbow by overusing the muscles in your forearm. The repetitive motion of hammering, sawing, and lifting can put pressure on these muscles. 

Carpenters are more vulnerable to developing tennis elbow because you use your arm differently than other professions do, typically in front of your body instead of next to it.

Carpenters may also develop this condition if you frequently carry heavy objects like planks of wood, cement blocks, or metal beams.

What are the Symptoms of Tennis Elbow?

Symptoms of tennis elbow could be changing grip strength or a loss of movements. This will lead to you being unable to lift car hoods, open jars, close boxes, and do other activities that require a handgrip. 

Different symptoms are depending on severity but the main symptom in almost all cases is pain during the use of the elbow.

What are the Treatment Options for Tennis Elbow? 

You may do self-care measures such as resting your elbow, applying ice or a cold pack, and taking over-the-counter pain relievers. 

Wearing an elbow brace has been shown to help relieve pain and improve healing time. 

If these measures aren't helping, your doctor may recommend therapy for mild cases or surgery for more severe injuries. 

How Can Carpenters Prevent Tennis Elbow?

Carpenters need to be mindful of how their tennis elbow develops and what habits lead to its onset. If you overexert yourself or just lack proper ergonomics, that will do it every time.

Working the same way day in and out can cause tennis elbow. To prevent this soreness and pain, it is important to take frequent breaks throughout the day or have a break every two hours for either 15 minutes or 30 minutes.

Preventing tennis elbow also involves strengthening your forearm muscles and doing stretching exercises designed for tennis elbow. 

It would be best to consult a doctor before attempting any exercise for tennis elbow. A doctor can ensure that the exercises will not worsen your condition or cause any injuries.

In addition, wearing an elbow brace can also be a great way to prevent tennis elbow, or protect it from getting worse. It will relieve pressure on the joint by providing additional support.

By following the expert tips in this article, you can prevent tennis elbow and other painful conditions.

Disclaimer: Although the information is gathered with great care, please note that the tips given on this website by no means substitute medical advice. If you're experiencing pain, consult your healthcare professional immediately and follow his advice regardless of what you've learned on this website.