Tennis Elbow From Shooting?

[Redneck]

Just curious, is anybody else suffering from tennis elbow symptoms from taking pictures? My right arm including parts of the hand are hurting and it seems to get worse the more I shoot.
I'm a little concerned I might not be able to do the big jobs in a couple of years or even months anymore.

[TxPhotoShooter]

I've got it right now from slinging the D700 and the 70-200Vr at a couple of volleyball games this past week. This comes and goes according to often I use that combo. I hit the Eleve and try to be cognizant of how often put my arm in that stressful position.

Best of luck with your shooting. And a cortizone may be in order to get you through. A trip to your Orthopod could save you some pain during those shoots.

[KenJulio]

Mmm....tennis elbow, that is such a sexy part of the human anatomy...NOT!

I'd recommend that you work on increasing the strength in your forearm. Also, I'm not sure how you grip your camera with your right hand, but if your wrist is crimped/bent, it adds stress on your elbow/arm.

I would consider this similar to carpal tunnel but not to that extreme, just because of the repetitiveness of what you're doing.

[prncfarquad]

When I first started shooting baseball it took me about 1.5 years to get rid of it. motrin and a mono-pod finally helped it go away

[DigitalDiva]

I had surgery for my tennis elbow about 4 yrs ago (very painful recovery) it helped for a couple of years but shooting and lots of computer work aggravate it.

[HotHolly]

I totally botched my right foot - the toe tendons are messed up from repeating kneeling and flexing the big toe too far. I kneel a lot when I'm shooting. I thought I broke my foot. it was hurting so much. Tendon injuries suck. Good luck.

[diente]

I have it at times, but it is not as bad as when I was shooting two to four soccer games a day/weekend. The E-3 with battery grip, and 50-200 is pretty heavy, and I just don't like using a monopod. I guess I need to force myself to use the pod until I get used to it.

[PhotoByLeal]

Originally Posted by Redneck

Just curious, is anybody else suffering from tennis elbow symptoms from taking pictures? My right arm including parts of the hand are hurting and it seems to get worse the more I shoot.
I'm a little concerned I might not be able to do the big jobs in a couple of years or even months anymore.

+1
and the shots don't help long term if you don't change your lifestyle, as per my doc!

[KenJulio]

When I first started carrying a gripped type body along with a 70/80-200 lens, my forearms were sore and some stiffness in my right elbow. What I have started to do, is to make sure I dont have a death grip when shooting and to stretch my fingers to make sure the tendons/ligaments running along the forearms are stretched and not in one position.

So when you're not shooting, give your arm a rest. Also, when you're doing any post, make sure you're not adding any stress to your elbows, supposedly the proper ergo position should be similar to an L shape with your arm.

Pain relief...if you can, keep away from the cortisone shots as they are hard on your body.

I'm not a doctor, but have gone through something similar

[carrbowl]

I don't have it in my elbow...I have it in my left wrist from supporting that dang 70-200!!! i need to start using a monopod..or excersice it...I figure the monopod would be easier!!

[Angelo]

Same problem here.
I use Naproxin and run hot/cold pads on my left elbow.
The problem stems from carrying equipment for long periods.
My lower back is a problem as well.
Man, I'm a mess....

[Redneck]

Thanks for all your comments. It looks like I'm not alone with problems like this. Does anybody really do physical exercise to prepare for a shoot? Like warm up and stretching etc?

[brewercm]

See if you can get into a physical therapist. They actually do very well at getting you specific exercises that can help alleviate some of the pain you are getting. I started seeing one about a month ago about my right shoulder and it has really helped quite a bit. Won’t get rid of problems that might me skeletal but can help if it’s mainly a muscular or tendon problem.

[jeffro20]

Originally Posted by Redneck

Just curious, is anybody else suffering from tennis elbow symptoms from taking pictures? My right arm including parts of the hand are hurting and it seems to get worse the more I shoot.
I'm a little concerned I might not be able to do the big jobs in a couple of years or even months anymore.

Interesting Andre. I was experiencing the same discomfort a month or so ago. It was very uncomfortable for several weeks to almost a month. Annoyed me enough to do research online and even consider a doctor visit. All my symptoms pointed to tennis elbow. I first thought it was probably from my nightly Frisbee throwing with my lab....or too much computer surfing. And just like it arrived, it disappeared weeks later.

I'm simply hoping it stays away. That stuff makes me feel old.

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

Andre you may try holding your camera body in your left hand when moving around and not shooting or if your in a stationary spot (shooting an event) and there is a break set your rig down. Also I would bet you chimp a lot and when you do that you start turning the body around to look at the viewer and when you do that you stress your wrist/arm/elbow (they are all connected of course) in an abnornal way which is probably what is agravating your condition. Not a whole lot that you can do other than when using larger heavier lenses use both hands more or a monopod since I think a tripod would be too bothersome for your style of work.