Tennis elbow - what helps?

[fivedogstofeed]

Had this years ago and seemed to get rid of it with stretching but suddenly it's flared up so badly.
Give me your magic cures please.

I suffered from this for years. I had several courses of physio, that helped a little, and I found that cold gels (eg Biofreeze) helped.

In the end, I was referred to a surgeon. They did x-rays and scans, and the surgeon was talking to me about surgery when I happened to mention that my elbow was worse when my shoulder was bad. After x-raying my shoulder, which turned out to be a right mess, he decided to sort that out first.

It was like a bloody miracle. My elbow stopped hurting long before my shoulder had recovered and both are now working fine and pain-free.

If only I could say the same about my knee ...

Acupuncture works for me, along with being really careful about what I do - for instance pulling a suitcase behind me really sets it off (which wouldn't be so bad except I travel a huge amount for work normally). I tried physio, steroid injections, ultrasound, anti inflammatories and braces before going to a physio who does acupuncture. Now if I feel it starting, one session with her stops it in its tracks

Absolute bastard. Cortisone injection helped, although after it was first done I thought I'd lost the use of my arm. Then ultrasound therapy and physio. Emugel (voltarol or ibuprofen gel) or similar is helpful. Good luck and I hope it gets better.

so more options than I thought - thanks all!

Rest! If you use a desk at work, have a desk assessment and get a mini keyboard and a phone headset. Has been a lifesaver for me.

And sadly for Mumsnetters - review your laptop use Mine flares up as soon as I start using my laptop as repetitive use of the touchpad + screen making your neck strain/shoulders hunch is a disaster.

I am thinking about getting a remote mouse + laptop desk for use on the sofa/bed.

Ergonomic mouse.