Tennis Elbow is a general term used to describe pain on the outside of the elbow. The most common causes are inflammation or degeneration of the tendon of the wrist extensor muscles as they insert into the elbow.
Acute Injuries
An injury is considered acute when an abrupt onset of pain is experienced that needs urgent care. The pain usually is rapidly progressive and present or experienced to a certain severe/intense degree over a short period of time.
Acute injuries occur immediately after an activity such as hitting a backhand shot in tennis with poor technique. The extensor muscles on the back of the forearm (wrist extensors) become suddenly overloaded causing micro tears of the tendon where it attaches to the elbow.
Chronic Injuries
An injury is considered as chronic if the pain persists for a long period of time or the injury is constantly reoccurring.
Chronic injuries normally develop over a period of days/weeks and usually follows with bouts of intense exercise/activity that the patient is unaccustomed to, such as lifting heavy boxes when moving house.
Treatment
Tennis Elbow can be very troublesome to treat, especially if it becomes chronic, so it is very important to obtain an accurate diagnosis as early as possible. Osteopathy treatment for this condition is vital to hasten the healing process, ensure an optimal outcome and reduce the likelihood of injury recurrence.
Below is a great Tennis Elbow stretch that you can do at home:
1. Begin this exercise by keeping your elbow straight palm facing down
2. Slowly bend your wrist down using your other hand until you feel a mild to moderate stretch pain free
3. Hold for 15 seconds and repeat 4 times
4. You should feel a stretch on the top of your arm
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If you are suffering elbow pain, make an appointment today to see your Osteopath for further advice and treatment.
You can find out more about our team of amazing Osteopath’s here or book an appointment online here.
Alternatively, you can call us at the clinic on 03 9908 2844.
