Tennis elbow, medically known as lateral epicondylitis, is a common condition that results in pain around the outside of the elbow, often caused by overuse of the hand, forearm, and arm muscles. It is not just tennis or golf players who are affected; this condition impacts anybody who engages in repetitive arm motions, from 9-to-5 office workers to the individual who occasionally practises his golf swings.
In this article, we will explore everything you need to know about tennis elbow, from its causes and symptoms to how it can deteriorate if not treated and how chiropractic care offers relief.
What is tennis elbow?
Tennis elbow develops when the tendon in your elbow becomes overloaded, generally due to repetitive motions of the affected arm and wrists. As a result, inflammation and micro-tears develop in the tendons that connect the forearm muscles to the bony prominence on the external side of the elbow.
While it is most commonly linked to tennis due to the frequent use of arms and wrists, this condition can affect anybody who performs activities that require the same motion.
Symptoms and different stages of the painful condition
Tennis elbow often begins with mild discomfort and tenderness, which progresses to more severe pain over a period of time. Other symptoms include worsening pain when bending or lifting the arm, limited range of motion and stiffness in the elbow, weakness in the forearm, and difficulty performing simple tasks, such as gripping objects.
As the condition progresses, the pain may start to become more constant, affecting sleep and daily activities. The stages of tennis elbow typically range from occasional, mild pain to debilitating, persistent discomfort.
Common causes of tennis elbow
The condition can affect anybody who uses their forearm muscles frequently on a daily basis. Some of the more common causes of tennis elbow include:
- Repetitive motions: Repetitive arm and wrist motions can strain the tendons and muscles. This is common in occupations that require frequent use of arms and hands, or sports like tennis or golf.
- Improper techniques: Incorrect techniques in daily activities or sports can place unnecessary stress on the elbow.
- Overuse: Excessive and/or continuous use of the forearm muscles can lead to straining of the elbow. This is why proper technique and adequate rest is important.
- Gender and age: Tennis elbow is found to be more prevalent in individuals aged 30 to 50, with gender not a primary factor.
- Occupational factors: Certain jobs, such as extensive computer use, painting, or construction, involve the significant use of wrists and arms, increasing the risk of developing tennis elbow.
How will tennis elbow deteriorate if not treated?
It is common sense that as soon as your elbow does not feel right, you get it fixed straight away. Tennis elbow can deteriorate if you do not get it treated. Here are some ways that it can worsen:
- Chronic pain: Untreated tennis elbow leads to chronic, debilitating pain that makes everyday tasks challenging and complicated.
- Decreased grip strength: The condition can weaken your grip strength, affecting your ability to lift or hold objects.
- Difficulty with fine motor skills: Deterioration of tennis elbow can result in the impairment of fine motor skills, complicating simple tasks, such as buttoning your clothes or writing.
- Reduced range of motion: As your condition worsens, you may also experience a serious reduction in elbow joint mobility.
- Psychological impact: Functional limitations and chronic pain will only cause further depression, stress, and frustration as life does not feel the same.
How chiropractic care helps tennis elbow
Chiropractic care is a highly effective treatment for tennis elbow, addressing both the direct symptoms and underlying causes. Through spinal adjustments, the chiropractor can correct your spinal alignment, reducing any nerve interference, which can facilitate your body’s natural healing process and boost overall body function. Soft tissue therapy is also a chiropractic care process for tennis elbow. Techniques, such as myofascial release, can alleviate the pain and tension in the affected muscle.
Chiropractic care can also help in joint mobilization, decreasing your discomfort while restoring and boosting your affected elbow’s range of motion. However, that is not all. Chiropractic care is more than just fixing your pains and aches. Your chiropractor will also recommend specific recovery exercises and ergonomic habits that you can implement to prevent the recurrence of the condition.
Conclusion
Tennis elbow is a common condition that can impact your quality of life significantly. However, with the proper approach, it is often treatable and manageable. Understanding how it happens and its associated symptoms can help you see the importance of getting appropriate care, such as chiropractic management.
Here at Healing Hands Chiropractic, we have seen several cases of tennis elbow, and more often than not, tennis elbow treatment happens concurrently with frozen shoulder treatment due to them occurring together often. If you need chiropractic care as a result of your working environment, then do consider our corporate wellness program. Contact us to find out more!
