My elbows (golfer's elbow) are getting really cranky from pull-ups and heavy pressing. I see people using compression elbow sleeves. Do these actually help the tendonitis, or are they just a mental crutch?
They help with *symptoms*. They keep the joint warm and the compression feels good. They won't *fix* the tendonitis. You still need to do your rehab (eccentrics, grip work) and manage your volume.
They're a tool. Like PowerLifterPro said, they manage symptoms. The actual fix is load management and specific rehab exercises. Use them to train *around* the pain, but don't use them to push *through* the pain.