Rest, Ice and Heat

• If your are suffering from tendonitis, you need to rest your arm for several days to prevent further aggravation of your injury. During this hiatus from activity or sports, ice your elbow during the first 48 hours. It is best to use an ice pack so you can compress it directly on the affected area for 20 minutes. Ice can be used several times per day, or every three or four hours. Elevating your arm above your heart can also relieve tendonitis by reducing inflammation. Ice causes vasoconstriction (narrowing of the blood vessels), which controls inflammation by limiting blood and lymph flow to the area. Once you have the initial inflammation under control, you can start using heat to promote blood flow (with its healing properties) to the region.
  
  

Medications

• In addition to ice and heat, you should take an anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen or naproxen to help reduce swelling and pain from your tendonitis. These medications are COX-2 inhibitors that reduce swelling and pain by limiting the production of COX-2 enzymes and prostagladins (body chemicals), the body's natural inflammatory response to strains or injuries. It is usually safe to take one to two tablets every four to six hours, but you should not exceed six in any 24-hour period. You doctor may prescribe oral steroids or even cortisone shots if your tendonitis does not start improving.
  
  

Exercises

• After a period of inactivity, exercises will help loosen and strengthen the tendons and muscles in the elbow area. If you have tennis elbow, stand next to the wall. Place the back of your hand (the one affected by tendonitis) against the wall with your fingers facing. Apply gradual pressure to the hand and hold for 30 seconds. Repeat the exercise three times and do it throughout the day. For golfer's elbow, place your palm against the wall with your fingers pointing down. Hold for 30 seconds, relax and repeat two more times.