Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow isn’t just for tennis payers. Tennis elbow can happen to anyone who repeatedly uses their elbow, wrist, and hand for their job, sport, or hobby. It can happen at any age, but it is most common in people in their 30s to 50s who perform repetitive tasks with their arms throughout the day.
Symptoms include pain in elbow, forearm, or wrist, as well as weakness in the affected arm, and difficulty doing common tasks such as turning a doorknob or holding a glass of milk. Symptoms can occur suddenly or they can slowly build up over time. If symptoms occurred suddenly it is usually from forceful activities such as strongly gripping a weight or forcefully pulling a lawnmower cord. It is more common for symptoms to build up slowly overtime from activities such as repetitive typing, lifting, twisting, and pulling.
Tennis elbow is caused by the overuse on improper use of the “extensor” muscles in your forearm. Typically the most painful spot is on the outside portion of your elbow, which is where the tendons attach. These tendons attach to the muscles that are responsible for gripping, twisting, and carrying objects with your hand.
Your chiropractor or physical therapist will perform a thorough evaluation to determine the cause of your tennis elbow. After your evaluation, your chiropractor or physical therapist will design an individualized treatment program to reduce your symptoms and get you back to your daily activities pain-free. This program will likely consist of light therapy, interferential therapy, strengthening, stretching, joint mobilizations, and helpful tips to reduce stress on your elbow throughout the day. The sooner you schedule your chiropractic or physical therapy appointment, the quicker your symptoms will be relieved so you can get back to doing the activities you love without pain.
