Tennis elbow?

[gazza]

Hello folks - I'm new round these parts.

A question for Steve, I registered here as I know you're a grip man, Steve.

I do no specific grip training, I only get my grip work from deadlifts, weighted chins and the like.

I also work with large pliers and tools at work on a daily basis.

My question is, I have developed tennis elbow in my left elbow.

I can't think of a particular episode or incident that caused it but I am wondering if it is an accumulated injury from too much of one type of gripping and not enough of other grip and forearm work?

My thinking is - should I try some band work(iron mind outer limit loops for example) to strengthen the opening of the hand as I have no strength in that area and an imbalance?

it was niggling slightly and then I tried a couple of days of 1rm testing on squats, dl's bench and OHP.

I think when I did the bench day I gripped the bar so hard that I made the tennis elbow much worse.

I don't want to add lots of sets on top of my training but if it's going to help cure/prevent future episodes then i will.

Also with regards to resting it - it's difficult as I am having to do gripping motions throughout the day at work.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

[Steve Gardener]

In a word - yes. Although any band, inc thick parcel bands, will help. I get the occasional niggle on straight bar curls (hence my using dumbbells only), chins and anything that forces my now old and inflexible joints out. I also used to get it bad when I allowed my forearm to rotate on thick handled dumbbell work.

[gazza]

Thanks mate.