So, what is a tennis elbow? This is a condition where people experience pain in the elbow region, which comes from overusing this area of your body. This is common for people who indulge in kayaking. This is also known as the paddler’s elbow. This condition can be irritating and it can prevent you from indulging in kayaking. However, you can beat this condition. Want to know how? Read on.
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How Do You Know That You Have Tennis Elbow?
Pain associated with tennis elbow increases with time. Initially, the pain may be mild, but it increases particularly if you continue to engage in vigorous physical activities. Some people may experience a constant nagging pain while using their arm and some candidates may feel a burning sensation in the elbow area.
How Does This Happen?
A tennis elbow is nothing but another name for tendonitis. This happens when the area in the elbow region has inflammation. Typically tendons are quite tough and they make sure that your muscles are attached to the bones.
How To Avoid Tennis Elbow While Kayaking
There is no denying that it is important to avoid injuries that give way to pain in the elbow area. Here are some points that will help you prevent a Tennis elbow when indulging in kayaking.
- You should know that a tennis elbow can get worse by some of the other activities that you indulge in. So, any activity that involves repetitive movement should be done with care.
- If you feel fatigued or experience too much muscle pain from a lot of kayaking, this is your body asking you to stop. So, it would be prudent to take an extended break for a while. Also, if your elbow has sustained injuries before then this problem could show up for you. Another way of diagnosing your condition is to monitor any pain while you are kayaking.
- Try to go for a relaxed grip on the paddles while you are kayaking. It has been observed that people who are new to kayaking tend to put too much pressure on their grip and that is when the trouble starts. So, keep practising till you have mastered the correct grip, doing this will prevent onset of tennis elbow.
- Not stretching enough before a kayaking trip? Big mistake, you are literally asking for a tennis elbow. Take the time to perform a good stretching routine before you indulge in the sport. Be sure to give your arms and wrist a good stretch before you head to paddle.
- You should always keep your elbows slightly bent while you are paddling. This will prevent you from over-extending the elbows that can cause an injury.
- Take the time to perform exercises that will strengthen your shoulders and arms. This will alleviate the strain off the tendons when you are kayaking.
- A good posture is a must to prevent a tennis elbow from too much kayaking. So, when you are being trained pay attention to your instructor. A strong posture makes a hell lot of difference.
- Consider using shaft paddles that are bent. These are specifically designed to facilitate proper hand positions while paddling. These paddles are shorter and lighter so there is a possibility that you will love using them. It will make you feel at ease.
Is Kayaking Possible With A Tennis Elbow?
Typically, most people would take the time out to rest. Also, if you must go kayaking then you should select calm waters as this will prevent you from exerting too much pressure on your elbows. Shorter kayaking trips would be ideal if you are experiencing mild elbow pain already. If the activity intensifies the pain, it would be better that you stop kayaking until the situation improves.
Summing It Up
Tennis Elbow takes a bit of time to subside. If you follow a treatment diligently then you should feel better within a couple of weeks. The tendons take at least two years to heal completely. The best way to stop the problem from getting worse is to monitor the pain level and also follow proper paddling techniques. Keep these tips in mind and you should be healthy enough not to give up on your passion. All the best!
