“Tennis elbow” might sound like a problem only athletes experience, but in fact, it’s a common tendon injury that anyone can suffer from. Don’t be misled by the name. If you feel a dull pain on the outer side of your elbow, try extending your arm and making a fist to check if the pain is present on the outer side of your elbow. If so, it’s likely tennis elbow. In this article, the physical therapists at OneEssential will share effective treatment methods, and you can also book a one-on-one consultation to get personalized advice!
Main Symptoms of Tennis Elbow
The symptoms of tennis elbow are quite obvious. The following points can help you determine if you have it:
Pain on the outer side of the elbow:
The pain of tennis elbow often appears on the outer side of the elbow and becomes more intense when gripping things or rotating your wrist.
Weak grip strength:
Patients with tennis elbow usually experience a noticeable decrease in grip strength, especially when lifting heavy objects or engaging in activities that require hand strength.
Difficulty with tasks you could do before:
Simple daily tasks such as turning a doorknob, holding a cup, or wringing out a towel become difficult due to pain and lack of grip strength.
Treatment for Tennis Elbow
After a tennis elbow diagnosis, the next key issue is treatment. Fortunately, most cases of tennis elbow can be alleviated using non-surgical methods, with surgery only considered when symptoms are very severe.
When to Consider Surgery?
If conservative treatments like physical therapy or medication do not effectively improve symptoms, your doctor may recommend surgery to repair the damaged tendon. However, this is a rare situation.
Anti-inflammatory Medication
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, can effectively reduce the inflammation and pain caused by tennis elbow. For more severe pain, a doctor might consider corticosteroid injections for faster relief.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is the most common treatment for tennis elbow. In addition to medication, doctors usually recommend physical therapy to speed up the recovery process. Physical therapy methods include ice and heat therapy, shockwave therapy, and ultrasound treatment, which help reduce pain and promote tendon healing.
Physical Therapy Success Stories
How to Self-Relieve Tennis Elbow?
In addition to medical treatments, there are some self-care methods you can use to relieve the symptoms of tennis elbow:
- Stretching and Flexing Exercises: Regularly stretching your wrist and forearm muscles can help reduce muscle tension and ease the pain.
- Strength Training: Strengthening the wrist and forearm muscles can help these areas bear more pressure and reduce the likelihood of future injuries.
Self-Management and Prevention of Tennis Elbow
The key to preventing tennis elbow from recurring is daily management and preventive measures:
- Use Braces or Supports to Reduce Pressure: These tools can help distribute the pressure on the elbow during exercise or daily activities, preventing reinjury.
- Adjust Your Work Posture: Whether at work or during sports, maintaining the correct posture and technique can effectively prevent elbow strain.
- Avoid Repetitive Movements: If you need to perform repetitive hand motions for long periods, take regular breaks to give your muscles and tendons time to recover.
- Proper Warm-Up and Correct Posture: Both before exercise and in daily activities, proper warm-up and posture can help reduce the risk of muscle strain.
Mild tennis elbow usually requires just additional rest, allowing the slightly torn tendon to heal on its own. However, if the pain worsens and affects your work efficiency or athletic performance, you should consult OneEssential’s physical therapist. Through one-on-one professional consultations, we can accurately identify the root cause of your tennis elbow, help you improve your lifestyle habits, and adjust your work posture to fundamentally reduce the risk of recurrence in the future.