Tennis Elbow (or Lateral Epicondylitis)
What is tennis elbow (or lateral epicondylitis)?
Pain on the outside of the elbow and running down the forearm
can be the result of Tennis Elbow. The arm may fatigue easily
or feel weak when using your hands. Lateral Epicondylitis
is an overuse injury affecting the tendons on the outside
of the elbow. Extending the wrist, holding onto items or turning
the wrist can cause increased pain, and even simple movements
such as shaking hands or opening a jar can become very painful.
What are the risk factors for lateral epicondylitis?
Repeating simple activities over and over can lead to this
overuse injury. As the muscles and tendons are injured small
tears develop, then more of the tendon can become injured
which results in increased pain. Any use of the hands can
lead to Tennis Elbow, such as using a screwdriver, holding
something, pulling, reaching or cutting.
How can I treat tennis elbow at home?
Initial home treatments for Tennis Elbow include rest, ice
and over the counter anti-inflammatory medications. It is
common to have periods of improvement followed by further
aggravation. Pain is reduced by the rest and ice, but if the
aggravating activity is resumed before the elbow is completely
healed, the injury will reoccur. Additional treatment may
be required, especially if the activity that is aggravating
the elbow cannot be reduced, such as computer work required
for a job.
What does in office treatment of lateral epicondylitis
involve?
Physiotherapy, massage therapy, stretching and prescribed
exercises are important parts of advanced treatment focusing
on reducing muscle spasms and decreasing the inflammation
of Lateral Epicondylitis. Your medical provider should actively
work on the muscles and tendons in treatment. Muscle therapy
or manual treatments such as the Graston Technique or Active
Release Technique are effective ways of speeding healing.
Further treatment, including corticosteroid injection therapy
or surgery, may be recommended by your healthcare provider
in some cases.
How can I further prevent tennis elbow?
Preventing Tennis Elbow can be as simple as modifying or reducing
the activities that aggravate the elbow, whether they are
work, home or recreational activities. Your healthcare provider
can review proper techniques and movements with you. Slowly
building strength in the elbow will help prevent recurrences
of Tennis Elbow.
Successful treatment of Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)
will allow you to return your normal activities without pain.
Call Alpha Chiropractic today at (480) 812-1800 to begin treatment
for Tennis Elbow. For further information on the treatments
mentioned, click on services provided link Services
or Graston
Technique.
Back to Chiropractic Resources
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Chiropractic & Physical Therapy believes in combing
the specialties and experiences of a medical physician,
chiropractor, physical therapist, and massage therapists
for treating injuries. This comprehensive treatment approach
often produces better results in less time by addressing
the muscle and joint aspect to every injury. Our clinic
is conveniently located to serve the Ahwatukee, Chandler,
Tempe, and Gilbert communities. To learn more about our
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