It is common to associate Tennis Elbow to an injury in tennis, pickleball, or other racquet wielding sports. However, these are rarely patients with this injury. Instead, the majority many of people with this condition are office employees who spend numerous hours at their jobs in front of a computer screen.

WHAT IS IT?

Tennis elbow, known as lateral epicondylitis, is a condition in the lateral elbow pain caused by wrist or finger extension. It is the most prevalent cause of elbow pain and is categorized as the forearm muscle’s overuse injury. Pain occurs when the forearm muscle tendon is inserted into the elbow’s lateral/ outside bony prominence, the lateral epicondyle. Due to tendon breakdown and muscle weakening, small tears are believed to happen where the tendon and bone meet.

What causes Tennis Elbow Injuries?

Any exercise that uses the extension muscles can trigger the discomfort. Overusing and the ongoing pressure is the most frequent source of Tennis Elbow. an individual performs many wrist extensions for a short time, such as swinging a hammer on a roof throughout the day (or similar actions like revving a motorcycle), the tendon may be over-used acutely and cause an injury on the elbow.

You can harm the tendon over time during working days as well. This is prevalent with mechanical movements involving any wrist motion. Neck problems can manifest through mimicking Tennis Elbow injuries as well. The lower neck nerves go down the arm to control muscles and their movements. Sometimes the pain radiates to the inner elbow when a nerve is tense in the cervical spine.

This is why it is important to check with a chiropractor to evaluate whether you genuinely have a tennis elbow injury or whether the pain is associated from the spine or a combination of both.

What can you do at home?

Stretching and strengthening would be the right approach. It includes straightening the neck, holding the palm down, and pulling the wrist down the other side. Do not strain into pain and keep the span for 30 seconds only.

Reinforcing the elbow is a priority, but the entire arm and shoulder should be strengthened. Always note to stop the physical activity if it is unpleasant and seek further guidance.

How can we help with Tennis Elbow?

Chiropractic care in regard to treating Tennis Elbow injuries depends on a couple of variables, such as the cause, the time it takes to develop, the amount of pain you have, and the therapy goals you aim for.

Typically, soft tissue release, such as active release technique, will require chiropractic treatment to free the tissues and reduce tendon strain, stretch, enhance fitness and potentially acupuncture.  It is crucial to be consistent with your treatment plan and/or training program for the best outcomes.

Massage Therapy is another method of treating the smooth tissues in both the forearm and potentially upper arm, throat, and back, together with chiropractic care.

How to get help

Tennis Elbow is a painful elbow injury triggered by overuse of the forearm muscles by repetitive actions. Chiropractic, exercise, and massage therapy may all be efficient in Tennis Elbow treatment.

I hope this helped answer some questions you may have had and if you or anyone you know are experiencing pain and would like to take the first steps toward getting relief, just call Atlas Chiropractic in Boulder at (303) 442-5911 and we’ll gladly get you scheduled for an appointment or feel free to fill out a web form here on our website. We look forward to helping you heal and get moving!

Dr. Cort Musolf