Tennis (elbow) anyone?

[Jane Smith]

So, I have self diagnosed myself after researching it online.

I have all the classic symptoms of tennis elbow, and I got it from brushing out Lucy and Ethel Mae,

 

It started a week and 1/2 ago after I bathed and brushed both dogs.  I waited a week and had my DH brush them to hopefully help it heal.  Well, last night I really had to work on Ethel's matts, because my DH just didn't do a very good job, and if I don't get them out before this weekend, my groomer is going to not only charge me an arm and a leg, but will probably want to shave her.  I work up to extreme pain in my elbow and forearm and I can't even raise a cup of tea to my mouth.

I have taken IB, so I will see if that helps.  I will also try to ice it today.

 

Has anyone else had this happen from brushing?

[Jane Smith]

My DH has a brace so I will give that a try, and if it helps will get my own.  Thanks for your kind words.

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

A couple of years ago, I had a bout with elbow tendonitis.  After it hung around a bit longer than I was willing to put up with, I went to a chiropractor who did a combination of massage, ultrasound (deep heat), and some electrical stimulation to get deep circulation going.  After a couple of weeks of twice-a-week treatment, I was much better.  I may have been much better after that much time even without the treatment, but who knows!

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

I played tennis for 15 years and at one point developed tennis elbow that was so painful I had to go on the DL for 8 weeks!  There were numerous things I had to do so that it wouldn't happen again.  It came down to the strings used on my racquet, tension, grip size and composition of my racquet.  I doubt that would apply to a brush handle...ha ha...maybe a graphite brush!  Kidding aside, I had to immobilize my wrist entirely.  The injury actually is caused from the action starting in the wrist and the tendon that goes up your arm and wraps around behind the elbow all go hand in hand.  I also could not hold anything in my hand.  It hurt so bad to just shake someone's hand with any type of squeezing motion.  I was put in one of those arm braces that you can buy in the drug store.  It has the metal for your palm and thumb to fit in and is the longer one that goes up your arm.  Not the little short wrist one.  The metal plate also goes up the inside of your forearm.  It is held with velcro.  I kid you not.  It took a minimum of 8 weeks not using my arm much at all and not gripping with that hand.  It is the gripping and squeezing motion that causes the inflammation.  Doing that along with restringing and gripping my tennis racquet cured me and I never had tennis elbow again.  It was a long time ago but I sure do remember the pain!!  I think like Karen said, it comes down to how you are gripping the brush and your wrist action.  Good Luck!

[Donna K & Quincy]

No I don't have tennis elbow from brushing, but I have had and still occassionally suffer from, a case of deck elbow that I got from driving nails a few years back. It takes a long time to heal, that was about 6 years ago and it still bothers me at times. One of the times it flares up is if I am using the long Chuckit Ball Launcher, I bought a shorter one and solved that problem. Hope your arm is better sooner rather than later. I ended up having a steroid shot that has helped but it has never gotten totally better.

[Jane Smith]

I am sorry to hear that others have issues too, but at least I'm not alone.  I didn't even think about the fact that I spent saturday and sunday painting my daughter's room (the one that just moved out).  I am sure that was a big contributor. 

I just told my DH that I am unable to cook dinner, and he said he'll take care of it.  Weeeeee!

[F, Calla & Luca]

I haven't had it from brushing or tennis but from life in general. Physical therapy, and  antinflammatories did the trick. Maybe you should check yours out with a physiatrist.

[Ginny Nightingale]

I have gotten this too from grooming other people's dogs--and the band does help. I have gotten relief from a product called Flexall (kind of like Ben-gay) It is a cream and I put it on at night and the pain is much better the next day--especially if it is muscular pain. It smells menthol-ly though so warn those around you!

You may want to look into a different tool for brushing too--do you have a Les Pooches brush? It flexes to take some of the pressure off of your body.

[Jane Smith]

Ginny, I have not looked into that brush.  The thing I was using has those curved blades on it that cut out the matts.  Will this Les Pooches do that?  If so, it's worth it to easy up on my arm.

[BG and Gavin]

I had a bad shoulder and elbow problems and use a brace similar to this when I have to do things like raking, sweeping, and brushing.

[Jane Smith]

That's funny.  I was just out buying one and it feels great.  I can't believe the difference.  Thanks

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Ouch Jane, regardless of what you call it, pain is pain. Hope it's just a muscle strain as that will heal pretty quickly with rest and ice. Tendonitis takes awhile. I agree, DH can be taught how to do a better job and I'm sure he'd like to not see Lucy and Ethel shaved either. Cowboy magic always helps me with mats with a lot less elbow grease!!!