How A Chiropractor Can Help Treat Tennis Elbow Pain
Tennis Elbow can be a misleading name; you do not have to play tennis to be afflicted with this condition. In fact, most Singaporeans develop this injury by performing repetitive motions with their hands and arms. Fortunately, Tennis Elbow can be managed and treated effectively. Let us share how our chiropractors at Orchard Health Clinic can help you manage this condition.
What causes Tennis Elbow?
Before we explore the available Tennis Elbow treatment options, it is vital that you understand what causes the injury. Tennis Elbow is often caused by repetitive overuse of the forearm muscles and tendons attached to the lateral epicondyle (the bony bump on the outer part of the elbow).
Of course, as its naming convention suggests, tennis is an activity that can increase one’s risk of developing Tennis Elbow. But that is not all. Any repetitive motions, including activities such as gripping, twisting, and lifting, can strain the forearm muscles and tendons, resulting in inflammation and pain.
However, Tennis Elbow can also be chronic. Such situations are commonly seen in non-athletes between the ages of 35 to 55 years old. As they age, their tendons degenerate, causing normal tissue to be replaced by a disorganised arrangement of scar tissue. The scar tissue weakens the tendons, making them more prone to injury. So when repetitive stress is placed on them, the person may develop Tennis Elbow.
Learn More: Golfer’s Elbow Vs. Tennis Elbow: What Is The Difference
What are the symptoms of Tennis Elbow?
So how do you know if you have Tennis Elbow? Those with the condition will feel discomfort in the bony knob on the outside of their elbow, as this is where the injured tendons connect to the bone. The pain may start as a mild discomfort before gradually increasing in intensity. They may also notice pain radiating down their forearm, which can be worsened by gripping or lifting objects.
Other symptoms include:
- Stiffness in the elbow;
- Weakness in the forearm;
- Difficulty in gripping or holding objects, especially with the affected arm;
- Pain or discomfort when extending the wrist.
You may not even notice these symptoms, as they tend to develop gradually over weeks or months and only worsen with continued activity. With that said, we recommend consulting our chiropractors immediately if you experience any of the above symptoms.
How our chiropractors can help treat Tennis Elbow
When you visit our chiropractic clinic, our chiropractors will assess your condition first to determine the most suitable treatment plan. Subsequently, they may recommend adjustments to your elbow and wrist joints to help restore proper joint mechanics and reduce the amount of compression on the affected tissues, thereby reducing pain and inflammation in your joints.
Additionally, our chiropractors may apply soft tissue techniques, such as myofascial release, to address any muscle imbalances or restrictions contributing to your Tennis Elbow. This is because when your forearm muscles and tendons are overused, they can develop tightness and adhesions, resulting in pain and inflammation in the elbow joint.
By applying myofascial release techniques, our chiropractors can help break down these adhesions and release any tension or tightness in the affected muscles and tendons. As a result, blood circulation to the area improves, thus promoting healing and reducing pain and inflammation in the joint.
In addition to our outpatient Tennis Elbow treatments, our chiropractors will recommend lifestyle changes to help avoid stress on your forearm and tendons. They may also prescribe stretching exercises to strengthen your muscles and improve their ability to support your joint during activities that involve repetitive motions or gripping, thus minimising the risk of aggravating your injury.
Tennis elbow is not a condition you should ignore. The pain from the injury can be debilitating, affecting how you approach your day-to-day activities and impacting your quality of life. Therefore, it is crucial for you to fix the cause and not just address the symptoms. And we can help with that! Do not hesitate to contact us to schedule an appointment with our chiropractors today.
