Supplements for Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is a painful inflammation of the tendon that connects the muscles of your forearm to your humerus (upper arm bone). According to tennis-elbow-treatment.com, tennis elbow is a categorized as a repetitive stress injury. Overdoing activities that involve repetitive use of your hand, wrist and forearm, such as tennis, painting, keyboarding, raking or using a screwdriver or scissors, can lead to tennis elbow. Discontinuing the activity that caused the injury is the primary step in healing, but fortunately there are many supplements that you can take to facilitate the healing process.

Glucosamine and Chondroitin

• Many tennis elbow sufferers have found relief by taking glucosamine with chondroitin. According to arthritis-pain-cure.com, glucosamine and chondroitin are substances naturally found in human cartilage, but as supplements, both play a role in repairing connective tissue and increasing flexibility in joints. Glucosamine and chondroitin also have anti-inflammatory properties that fight the inflammation associated with tennis elbow. Because glucosamine comes from shellfish, you may want to avoid it if you're allergic to shellfish. Also, check with your doctor before taking glucosamine if you're pregnant or have diabetes.

Herbal Supplements

• NaturalTherapyPages.com suggests anti-inflammatory herbs such as turmeric and fenugreek as natural treatment options for tennis elbow. Ginger is another effective herbal remedy. You can consume turmeric and ginger internally as a tea several times a day to reduce the pain and inflammation of tennis elbow. You can also apply ginger, turmeric and fenugreek externally to the injured elbow. To make a turmeric poultice, mix powdered turmeric and a few drops of water and apply it to your elbow and forearm. For a ginger wrap, grate a handful of ginger and soak it in hot water for about 15 minutes. Next, take a cloth and dip it into the liquid, wring out any excess liquid, and then wrap your elbow in the wet cloth. To heal with fenugreek, make a paste with milk and fenugreek seeds and apply to your elbow. With the ginger, turmeric and fenugreek external applications, allow the herb to stay on for at least 20 minutes before removing.

Vitamins and Minerals

• NaturalTherapyPages.com recommends vitamins A, C and E, and the mineral zinc to help the healing process of tennis elbow. Vitamin A is responsible for collagen production in tendons and connective tissue. Vitamin C promotes cellular repair and rejuvenation. Vitamin E and zinc protect against the damage of free radicals and reduce the swelling of scar tissue. You can also add Omega-3s to your elbow supplement list. Omega-3s, which are usually found in fish oil, help to reduce inflammation.