Tennis Elbow
What is Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, occurs when there is inflammation in the tendons of the forearm. Not limited to a tennis player, tennis elbow is often the result of overuse and repetitive stress. Different from Golfers elbow, tennis elbow affects your lateral epicondyle tendon, the outside of the elbow, rather than the inside of the elbow. Your forearm muscle can get weakened from repetitive movement, causing inflammation, degeneration, and tearing of the tendons. The weakening of your muscle ends up causing both elbow tendonitis and tendinosis.
Tennis Elbow Symptoms
Common symptoms include:
- Pain on the outside of the elbow (can travel to your wrist)
- Poor grip strength
- Pain while twisting or bending your arm
- Pain while lifting or gripping objects (like a tennis racket)
Tennis Elbow Causes
Despite its name, athletes are not the only people who experience the painful effects of tennis elbow. Tennis elbow can show up on anyone who does repetitive forearm flexion. This includes many types of athletes and professions including, but not limited to:
- Baseball and softball players
- Tennis players
- Bowlers
- Gardeners
- Chefs
- Carpenters
- Musicians
- Anyone who uses a computer mouse regularly.
Tennis Elbow Prevention
If you are in a profession with repetitive arm motions and stress, there are ways to prevent tennis elbow:
- Strengthen your forearms and wrist muscles with weights
- Stretching your arms and wrists often
- If you are having tennis elbow pain, don't push yourself. Try and take a break until you feel better.
Tennis Elbow Treatment
Tennis elbow is the most common explanation for elbow pain. If you visit a chiropractor for tennis elbow, they will assess the inflammation and condition of your tendons before suggesting a recovery plan. Chiropractic treatment will likely include icing, bracing, physical therapy, and chiropractic care. The Graston Technique, a powerful, evidence-based form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization, is also very helpful for people with tennis elbow.
Total Body Chiropractic in Bend, Oregon specializes in non-invasive, drug-free chiropractic care for tennis elbow. Feel better faster with our total body approach and learn how to avoid issues with tennis elbow in the future. Let us help you reduce your pain, shorten your healing time and get back to doing the things you love.