Tennis Elbow / Lateral Epicondylitis
Tennis elbow (also known as lateral epicondylitis) is a type of tendonitis – which means swelling of the tendons – that causes pain in the elbow and arm. These tendons are bands of tough tissue that connect the muscles of your lower arm to the bone. Despite its name, you can still get a tennis elbow even if you’ve never been near a tennis court. Because any repetitive gripping activities, and excessive usage of the thumb and the first two fingers, may cause tennis elbow. Tennis elbow pain is one of the most common reasons why people visit Perth Chiro Centre.
The Causes of Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow often develops over a period of time. Repetitive motions, like gripping a racket during a swing can strain the muscles and put too much stress on the tendons. That constant tugging can eventually cause microscopic tears in the tissue.
Tennis elbow might result from anything that you continually hold or grip such as:
- Sport (tennis, squash, weight lifting)
- Carpentry
- Typing
- Painting
- Raking
- Knitting
Symptoms of Tennis Elbow
The symptoms of tennis elbow include pain and tenderness on the outside of your elbow, where the injured tendons connect to the bone. The pain may also radiate into the upper or lower arm. Although the damage is in the elbow, you’re likely to hurt when doing things with your hands.
Tennis elbow may cause the most pain when you:
- Lift something (it could be as simple a task as lifting a coffee mug)
- Make a fist or grip an object, such as a tennis racket
- Open a door or shake hands
- Raise your hand or straighten your wrist
Tennis elbow is similar to a condition called golfer’s elbow, which affects the tendons on the inside of the elbow.
To diagnose your tennis elbow, your chiropractor will do a thorough exam and orthopedic testing. You may also need imaging tests, such as an ultrasound or MRI to diagnose tennis elbow or rule out other problems.
One of the several treatments that are often used to combat tennis elbow include:
Graston Technique
How It Works
The Graston Technique utilizes various surgical steel instruments to physically break down scar tissue in different parts of the body by cross frictional massage. The pressure is applied with the surgical steel instrument and moved in such a way that the underlying tissue is released and broken down to help with problems like inflammation and range of motion difficulties. The pressure is controlled by your therapist, and the end goal is pain relief and regaining the function of the area.
Who Needs It?
The Graston Technique is for people who have suffered scar tissue build up from a previous injury or from using incorrect body mechanics over a prolonged period of time. The resulting limitations can often be smoothed out using the Graston Technique as a form of treatment. The Graston Technique can be helpful for athletes, office workers, students, laborers or anyone else who has sustained an injury where scar tissue is a factor.
Does It Hurt?
You’re most likely going to feel some level of discomfort when receiving the Graston Technique. That level depends on the patient and amount of pressure required to break up the scar tissue, but there is usually some bruising and soreness during and after the treatment. A typical Graston Technique treatment might last anywhere from 2 to 10 minutes. We recommend icing affected areas at home for about 20 minutes after your treatment.
Will It Work for Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow is one of the conditions being effectively treated by the Graston Technique. It isn’t always the prescribed treatment, but it can help break up scar tissue that’s built up from the condition. Some of the other problems that the Graston Technique is used for include: Achilles tendonitis, back pain, golfer’s elbow, plantar fasciitis, shin splints, and rotator cuff tendonitis.
Dry Needling
Dry needling is also a very effective treatment for tennis elbow. This technique is similar to acupuncture. The insertion of needles at varying lengths and points are thought to alter the way pain signals are transmitted by nerve pathways. Dry Needling is also used to break up the scar tissue formation that has built up over time from tennis elbow.
If you suffer from tennis elbow, call Perth Chiro Centre today at 9342 1211 or Book Online and your road to recovery.
Why Choose Us?
- We are honest and Genuinely CARE about you and your health concerns
- We are experts in what we do
- We do after work hours appointments
- Our fundamental goal is to alleviate your symptoms in minimal visits
- We work with a network of GPs and Surgeons and can bounce ideas between our network and work out what is best for our patients
- We have HICAPS facilities so private health claims can be made instantly
- “No Wait Policy”. All of our patients are seen immediately we don’t over-schedule appointments so there is no lengthy waiting time
- Our staff are friendly, courteous, and approachable
- We are honest and evidence-based
- We do not intentionally prolong treatment process
- X Rays are only taken if required. We don’t require every patient to undergo X-rays for the purpose of scaring them or giving them a lengthy treatment schedule.
- We use X-Rays to rule out pathology and arthritic problems. We don’t use them to look at postural stances.
- Our clinic maintains a professional but comfortable atmosphere.
- We have easy parking spaces for our patients
- Large private treatment rooms.
- Convenient location.
- Secondary evaluations/opinions.
- M.D. and attorney referrals.
Contact Us
To book an appointment please call us;
Greenwood Clinic (08) 9342 1211