How to treat elbow pain for cyclists, mountain bikers and triathletes – dealing with ‘tennis elbow’
- ‘Tennis elbow’ may seem like an unlikely injury for a cyclist or a triathlete but it is just another name for tendinitis
- There are some simple remedies and ways to prevent it recurring
If you are a cyclist or triathlete, you may experience “tennis elbow”, a nagging pain on the outside of the elbow. Despite the name, it is not specific to racket sports players. It is a common overuse injury called tendinitis.
Tendons become inflamed due to repetitive use, in this case due to gripping, twisting or constantly being “jarred” by bumps in the road or trail when cycling or running.
The first thing to try is rest. If the injury is caused by overuse, then not using the injured limb is the cure. Additionally, apply ice to the affected area to reduce the swelling of the tendons. Massaging your elbow gently with your thumb will promote healing. If the pain is really bad, take anti-inflammatory pills as well. If it persists, visit a physiotherapist or doctor.
Prevention is better than cure, and there are a few ways which you can ensure it does not return.
The first, is your cycling technique. Make sure you shoulders and arms are relaxed, so that your elbow and shoulder joints and not rigidly taking the shock of each bump. If you are struggling to relax, make sure you are not biting off more than you can chew – it can be hard to relax your arms if you are flying down a slope that is steeper or more technical than your ability allows. Get your technique right then build from there.