Luckily, I stopped this foolishness before it was too late. I always had pain after playing and I did nothing but increase tension in my shoulders and hands. My technique improved a lot, but I would never recommend this way of doing it. Now I stop the instant I get it and that seems to help a lot. This isn't saying things to build your chops are bad, but moderation is the key, as in everything.
Technique is just a vehicle in making music.
If it was most important, than we would have to say people like Miles Davis and Thelonius Monk didn't make superior music because their chops weren't as polished as some of their contemporaries. I've found that after a month or so of heavy practicing and playing, if I take a break for jsut a couple of days, my playing improves dramatically when I come back. Try it sometime. I think it just lets everything sink in a little better. I would like to know what people have done to alleviate inflammation in the tendons that run just below the elbow.