[bethel]

I think I overdid some wrist curls a few days ago and now have a mild case of tennis elbow. Should I take a break from upper body work until it heals or are there weight/toning exercises I can continue to do without aggravating the condition?

[Mel]

I have chronic tendonitis and soreness in my forearms from bench pressing. Rationally, you should probably avoid putting stress on the ligaments and tendons that attach at the outside of your elbow, and avoid twisting motions with your forearms for a while. I find that I can still do most back exercises, shoulders (not side raises), and abs. I rarely do curls any more because my back workouts work my biceps heavily. The only thing that REALLY aggravates the soreness is bench pressing with a bar, Arnold presses, and hammer curls with a twist. So I avoid them.

Icing your elbows two or three times a day (frozen peas work great) should help. You can also turn you plams to face you, thenbend your nad townds your elbow with the little finger leading. This will stretch the tendon and ligament. Then ice it again.

Or go see a doctor- I've had deep tissue massages done by a chiropractor which help and feel wonderful, and I've also had cortisone injections which you probably want to avoid like the plague!

Good luck and don't hurt yourself!

Mel