Elbow pain

I have been playing table tennis only for four months.  I now have what I call table tennis elbow.

I lot of guys are suffering from wrist pain, elbow.  I am using ice and heat to help pls advil.

Is this common to a new player, or is it because I am very tense when playing a game, meaning I am holding my paddle pretty tight.  

Any suggestions.

Thank you,

Bob Bradford

New Orleans, La.

Hi Bob,

I would first think about the tension in your arm, fingers, wrist when you are playing the shots.  This is usually the cause of pain in the arm.  Focus on where the pain is when you are playing.  Then focus on keeping that area as relaxed as you possibly can through the strokes.  It can take some time to get the feel of this and to let go of the tension in the arm.

Of course if you can't seem to get rid of it, then it is worth checking with a Physiotherapist.