DEAR DR. DONOHUE: For about five months I’ve experienced elbow pain. I finally saw a doctor, who diagnosed my problem as lateral epicondylitis – tennis elbow. And I don’t play tennis.

I am a fit, 50-year-old woman and am inclined to ignore symptoms in order to allow time for natural healing to take place. If left untreated, will tennis elbow eventually heal itself? – R.S.

ANSWER: The lateral epicondyle is the nubbin of bone you feel at the side of your elbow when you let the arm hang down with the palm facing forward.

It’s the spot of attachment for many forearm muscles, and it’s the spot where tennis elbow strikes.

You don’t have to be a tennis player to get tennis elbow. Overuse of the arm brings it on. People who have to twist a screwdriver constantly often get tennis elbow. Carpenters do too.

Rest usually heals tennis elbow. Rest doesn’t mean keeping the elbow perfectly straight at all times. It means not doing anything that causes pain.

Warm compresses to the area three or four times during the day will help Nature heal it faster. If you want the relief that anti-inflammatory, painkilling medicines afford, and if they’re safe for you, you can try ibuprofen or any of its many close relatives.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am 74 years old. Three years ago I started cycling. Back surgery prevents me from running or distance-walking. I pedal 15 miles six to seven days a week at an average speed of 13 to 15 mph. I was told that this speed is too slow to derive any real benefit, but I do feel better and look better. Your opinion? – E.K.

ANSWER: Too slow? Who told you that? You’re pedaling at a fast speed. Cycling at 9.4 mph burns close to 7 calories a minute, approximately equal to running a mile in about 11 minutes. And you’re pedaling faster than that. You don’t have to change a thing. You’re getting plenty of benefits from what you’re doing.

Do you ever check your pulse while you’re biking? I suppose you’d have to stop to check it. If you act fast, you can approximate what your heart rate is when you’re cycling, even during the time you’ve stopped. If your pulse is at least 102 beats a minute, that’s sufficient for a heart workout at your age.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am 82. Instead of jogging, I walk fast. Since I pass many of my friends who say they are jogging, I maintain that fast walking is as good for your heart and blood pressure as jogging, and easier on your joints. Am I right? – B.B.

ANSWER: It’s hard to determine when fast walking becomes jogging. Obviously, when you pass your jogging friends, you are going at a faster clip. When jogging, people propel themselves higher into the air with each step than they do when they walk. They land with a greater jolt on the feet. Gentler landings are easier on joints. Yes, walking greatly benefits the heart and blood pressure.

A brisk walk is one where you cover a mile in 17 minutes.

Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Readers may also order health newsletters from www.rbmamall.com.