Inflammation in tissue is generally a cascade of process by which the body heal itself after an injury.At acute stage ,the tissue start to repair itself and this could be sucessful if the environment aroumd the the injured tissue is conducive.A frequent reinjuiry when the tissue is undergoing healing results in fibrous tissue and chronic pain ensue as we have in the case of Wikipedia reference-linktennis elbow.Over time ice application alone would not work.
Chronic injuiry repond well to heat atimes:it is believed,heat could trigger fresh inflammation and help the tissue to heal itself.
Clinically speaking inflammation is not bad.In fact,it is a way of body attending to it own problem at a critical time.
To butress Dr damien good point,a change of life style would drammatical reduce your pain.shall come back soon.yelufem.