Whether you’re an athlete, play the occasional pick-up game, or recently increased your physical activity, you can expect pain sometimes. But when the pain goes beyond typical post-workout muscle aches, you should seek advice from a trusted health professional.
Got Tennis Elbow? Here’s How Chiropractic Treatment Can Help
Sports injuries, when left unchecked, can worsen over time, causing you to experience diminished functioning. And injuries to your elbow are no different.
Is the pain you are experiencing really tennis elbow? Here’s what you need to know about the condition and the best course of treatment.
What Causes Tennis Elbow and What Are the Symptoms?
The technical term for tennis elbow is lateral epicondylitis. This injury is a form of tendonitis and is characterised by inflammation and sometimes tiny tears in the elbow’s tendons and surrounding area. Although tennis elbow is more common in people who play tennis or golf frequently, others can also experience this injury.
Tennis elbow is classified as a repetitive strain injury (RSI). It is most often caused by overuse of the elbow, regardless of the sport or activity. In addition, people who perform physical labour or primarily use their arms and hands while at work also suffer from this condition.
Common symptoms of tennis elbow include:
- Decrease in grip strength
- Pain or burning sensation around the elbow
- Pain in the forearm
- Weakness in your dominant arm
While some people may experience a sudden onset of pain, symptoms of tennis elbow typically develop slowly and worsen over time.
It doesn’t matter if work or play is at fault — you can prevent tennis elbow. While overuse is a common culprit, improper athletic technique is often a contributing factor as well. To avoid future injuries to the elbow, seek appropriate athletic training or ergonomic solutions for the workplace.
What Are the Methods of Treatment for Tennis Elbow?
Treatment options for tennis elbow can vary depending on the severity of the injury. For example, for minor inflammation, you may only need to rest and ice the elbow. On the other hand, if you have multiple tendon tears, surgical intervention may be necessary.
Chiropractic treatment for tennis elbow
Chiropractic treatments promote healing with the use of safe and effective, proven techniques. Some low force and gentle treatment methods include:
- Active Release Technique (ART) that target muscles and soft tissue
- Trigger point therapy to alleviate pain with pressure and release techniques
- Kinesio, dynamic, and sports taping to improve mobility and support for swollen elbows
- Cold laser therapy to reduce pain and inflammation
- Exercise and strengthening to promote rehabilitation
At Our Chiro Brisbane, you can expect our practitioners to take time to understand your pain and health history during the initial consultation. Once we evaluate you and confirm your diagnosis, your chiropractor will recommend the best course of action.
A typical recovery plan will start by addressing your pain and inflammation. Once your injury is stable, you’ll be ready for chiropractic techniques that will strengthen and rehabilitate your elbow.
Other treatment interventions for tennis elbow can include:
- Compression and elevation, along with resting and applying ice
- Medications like pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs
- Steroid injections to reduce inflammation and relieve symptoms
- Stabilisation devices like a brace to promote rest and healing
Your road to recovery will likely include a combination of these options. Your physician will help guide you to the course of treatment that is right for you.
Without proper care, you could risk complicating your injury. If you are experiencing persistent pain in the elbow area or forearm, schedule an appointment with Our Chiro Brisbane today.
