Tennis Elbow

Did you know that you could be diagnosed with Tennis elbow even if you don’t play tennis?

Characterized by pain near the outside of the elbow, tennis elbow is common in the spring when warm weather entices us outside to play tennis, golf, paint, etc. Tendinitis (epicondylitis) is defined as inflammation of a tendon, is caused by repetitive actions particularly while gripping something.

The tendon attaches muscle to bone. Repetitive actions strain the junction between the tendon & the muscle causing fatigue, then micro-tears.

If the muscle is not rested, it then becomes weak & painful especially when you grip something. You may first notice it as a general arm soreness and then a feeling of weakness as if you’re not as strong as you used to be. You may not notice it all day and then feel it throbbing at night as the muscle relaxes. To repair muscle tears, collagen fibres (scar tissue) grow in & around the musculo-tendinous junction. This scar tissue & has no contractile power & will hinder your range of motion.

Although most common near the elbow with the wrist flexors & extensors, tendinitis also occurs in other area such as the rotator cuff tendons and the achillies tendon in runners.

Tendinitis can be treated with massage therapy, but requires a commitment by the client. The more active a person is in their own recovery, the less you need therapists. Treatments can be painful & should be 3 days apart for 6 – 10 sessions depending on the extent of the injury. Recovery is faster is clients stretch & rest the muscle between sessions.