Tennis Elbow? But I Don’t Even Play Tennis!
Fun Fact: Golfers experience Tennis Elbow more often than they do Golfer’s Elbow.
Bottom Line:
Did you know …
Tennis elbow is not a condition only experienced by athletes. Tennis elbow can be encountered by desk workers from typing…mechanics when using tools excessively… people when carrying excessively.
Lateral epicondylitis (AKA tennis elbow) is a painful condition that occurs when the tendons in your elbow become inflamed and overloaded as a result of repetitive motion.
Since the repetitive motion that occurs is similar to that of swinging a tennis racket, it's commonly referred to as tennis elbow.
However, anyone who has a job that requires repetitive motions to be performed are at risk of developing Tennis Elbow.
Why it Matters:
Tennis elbow is often characterized by some pain and weakness, and that can make it difficult to perform your daily tasks. Even opening a jar or using a door knob can be very painful and difficult.
Because tennis elbow is an injury caused by repetitive (often times considered essential) motions, finding ways to decrease the inflammation and improve your biomechanics is especially important. Decreasing the initial inflammatory phase is key when reducing pain.
Here are 3 natural ways to help reduce the pain associated with tennis elbow:
· Rest: Giving your arm time to rest is important to stop the cascade of inflammation and pain.
· Ice: Icing a few times per hour is a smart strategy to reduce pain and inflammation.
· Technique: Be mindful of how you are moving your arm, use proper ergonomics, and use a brace for a short time if necessary.
All of these strategies help limit the amount of stress being put on the elbow from tight forearm muscles.
Next Steps:
Unfortunately, Tennis Elbow is not a condition that will go away on its own.
However, lucky for you we've found two key strategies for reducing the pain associated with tennis below!
The first is creating a plan of care that includes at-home exercises to strengthen your supporting muscles.
The second is performing applying manual therapy, dry needling, and/or performing Graston on the elbow to accelerate healing of the inflamed tendons.
So, if you or someone you know is living with tennis elbow, give us a call so we can help!
Together, we’ll create an individualized care plan focused on helping you find lasting relief, naturally.
Dalton Sealey DC, CSCS
ProMove Chiropractic & Performance
402.915.4901
drsealey@promovechiropractic.com
Science Source(s):
Tennis Elbow. Orthoinfo by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. 2021.