I called my friend up, the tennis player physical fitness guy. He said that rest is important, and cooling it with ice or a cold patch, try not to put any strain on it. Anti-inflamatory cream can help for immediate relief, a prescription one or a good over the counter type, but it's likely to only give short term relief at best, when feeling discomfort.
The problem as he described, is that you've weakened the tendon, through long term over use, or a sudden strain, and now that you've done that, the likelihood is that you are going to be susceptible to this injury reocuring from now on. You need to start doing exercises to strengthen the tendon and supporting muscles, but first you have to determine which tendon, above or below the elbow has been affected. Where exactly is the pain? That should tell you what set of exercises you should do, once the pain has gone away, starting light and moving up to more strenuous. He mentioned sitting at a table and flexing your arm while holding a weight, but once again, the exercise need to be appropriate for the area that has been weakened. By strengthening, you should become less prone to injury again. He also suggested that you should try and compensate for the weakened tendon by learning new habits when using your arm, in ways that are easier on your elbow, the way you lift, reach out to grab, etc., as much as possible.
Given the nature of your work and the requirements you put on your arms, it appears to be a long term consideration you have there, MB. One that is going to require a conscious effort over time to get much improvement and stability. Starting to strengthen the area as soon as you can, once the pain goes away, should help the condition from becoming worse. That's what he said.
I can ask him about specific exercises if you want. You would need to tell me where exactly is the pain, so that I can relay it to him.
Hope it mends quick.
