You should get a check up from your general physician to know if you have Lateral Epicondylitis, which is more commonly known as tennis elbow or in some cases it is also known as archer's elbow. Generally anyone who uses their arms and forearms in repetitive action might get tennis elbow. Sports which are often associated with tennis elbow also include cricket (bowlers), swimmers and golfers and it is common with people who have never picked up a tennis racket.
When the outer part of your elbow becomes tender and sore, it is likely to be affected by tennis elbow. The tendons and muscles which are around the bony part of your elbow get affected and the pain that follows is referred to as golfers elbow. Men and women who are at the age of 35 to 55 usually suffer from this condition.
With the proper treatment of tennis elbow, you can improve considerably and with use of mild pain killers and physiotherapy, you can get rid of the pain in a month. The treatment for chronic tennis elbow is more complex. You may need to take Botox injections around the elbow to ease the pain or the usual course of Steroids or cortisone injections which can help the condition to improve.
Epicondylitis clasp or elbow support is essential to get rid of tennis elbow for good, even if your job requires repetitive actions. The pain of Lateral Epicondylitis could last for four months and in some cases is said to have lasted for two years. Do the treatment again as soon as you feel that the pain is coming back. My colleague uses hot water bottle which is strapped against his elbow as it eases him while others get relief from ice packs. I would suggest you try both to see which is a better method for you.
In the UK every 5 in 1000 is suffering from tennis elbow, which is about 0.5% of people. If you are a tennis player and also suffer from tennis elbow, I would recommend that you hire a tennis coach so that he can check your action and swing which is leading you to this condition. You should also try to improve the strength of your forearms and reduce the strain on the tendons around the elbow.