Do you have elbow pain? You may be suffering from tennis elbow—even if you’ve never picked up a tennis racquet in your life! In this blog, we’ll explore what it is and how to address it.
What Causes Tennis Elbow?
Despite the name, most patients I’ve seen with this condition don’t play tennis at all. It’s often caused by repetitive strain, poor technique, or sudden increases in activity. Most commonly, it affects adults aged 30–50 but can occur at any age (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, 2023; Hamilton, 2018).
How Do You Know If You Have Tennis Elbow?
Key symptoms include:
- Pain on the outer elbow, especially when gripping or lifting (NHS, 2023).
- Weakness in the wrist or hand.
- Difficulty performing everyday tasks such as turning a doorknob.
If you’re unsure, an osteopath can assess your elbow and determine if it’s tennis elbow or a similar condition, such as radial tunnel syndrome (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons [AAOS], 2021). Sometimes, elbow pain can even refer from your neck.
Will It Go Away on Its Own?
While tennis elbow can resolve over time, ignoring it may prolong recovery. Without the right care, chronic pain or weakness can develop, impacting daily activities such as opening a jar or something as simple as drinking a cup of coffee (Cleveland Clinic, 2023).
The Best Way to Treat Tennis Elbow
- Rest and Modify Activities: Avoid activities that aggravate the pain. If you can’t, consider wearing elbow or wrist support during these activities.
- Targeted Exercises: Strengthening and stretching the forearm muscles can aid recovery. Eccentric wrist extension exercises are particularly effective (Shiri et al., 2022).
- Manual Therapy: Osteopathic treatment can improve mobility, reduce tension, and promote healing (Shiri et al., 2022).
- Other Interventions: Techniques like dry needling or taping may provide additional relief.
How Can an Osteopath Help?
An osteopath can:
- Diagnose your condition accurately.
- Provide hands-on treatment to reduce pain and improve function.
- Guide you with tailored exercises to prevent recurrence.
References
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. (2021). Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis). https://www.aaos.org
Cleveland Clinic. (2023). Tennis elbow. https://www.clevelandclinic.org
Mayo Clinic. (2023). Tennis elbow. https://www.mayoclinic.org
National Health Service. (2023). Tennis elbow. https://www.nhs.uk
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS). (2023). Tennis elbow. https://www.niams.nih.gov
Shiri, R., et al. (2022). Manual therapy for lateral epicondylitis: A systematic review. Journal of Manual Therapy, 27(3), 199–205.
Hamilton, W. (2018). Lateral elbow tendinopathy: Time to stop using the ‘tennis elbow’ misnomer? British Journal of General Practice, 68(676), 548. https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp18X699341
Image source: https://e3rehab.com/tennis-elbow-rehab/
Image source: Hamilton, W. (2018). Lateral elbow tendinopathy: Time to stop using the ‘tennis elbow’ misnomer? British Journal of General Practice, 68(676), 548. https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp18X699341
