Tennis Elbow

Is your elbow inflamed, sore and painful? Does your wrist hurt when you lift it?
You could be suffering from tennis elbow. Although tennis and other racquet wielding sports could result in this condition, they are not the only cause.
Tennis elbow is characterized by pain in the outer part of your elbow, upper part of the forearm and wrist while lifting an object or extending your hand. It also means that you’re in need of immediate attention.

Symptoms

Pain over the outside elbow, which may travel up or down the arm

  • Wrist weakness
  • Tenderness over the outside of the elbow
  • Pain when lifting or bending the arm
  • Difficulty extending the forearm fully
  • Pain when gripping, lifting and carrying
  • Pain and discomfort can continue for as little as 3 weeks or as long as several years, if untreated.

Treatment

  • If you have a neck problem predisposing you to have a tennis elbow, it would make sense to have chiropractic care based on the Chiropractor’s recommendations.
  • Muscle Release Therapy – This is a soft tissue therapy used to reduce inflammation and muscle contractions within tissues (“muscle knots”) by helping to break up the tightness. It may involve either active or passive stretching along with direct pressure to break up adhesions within the muscles/tendons.
  • Adjusting – Chiropractic adjustments help to loosen the joints, decrease pain, restore proper movement, and optimize function.  Chiropractic adjustments can be applied to the joints of the spine but can also be used to help directly at the wrist and elbow.

How do you prevent Tennis / Golfer’s Elbow?

  • Rest – Don’t push through the pain.  Allow time for your body to heal and let the muscles rest from over-use.
  • Ice – Using a cold compress for ten minutes at a time a few times throughout the day can help to relieve pain, reduce swelling, and speed recovery.
  • Warm up – Make sure the muscles in your shoulder, elbow, and wrist are ready to play by warming up with some wrist circles, arm circles, and performing the actions to the song YMCA*.
  • Stretch – To help reduce and prevent tight muscles stretch out the forearms frequently throughout the day.  Hold your arm out with palm down; use your other hand to gently press your fingers and wrist down until you feel some tension within the muscles; hold for 20-25 seconds.

Chiropractic and the Elbow

Elbow Surgery