Tennis elbow is a painful condition that can affect even the non-tennis player. When the elbow is used regularly, its joint and the surrounding soft tissues can become overworked, and damage may occur.
Because most of us use our elbows daily without much thought, we don’t generally notice how often we rely on proper elbow function for our numerous movements. From getting dressed to picking something up to reading a book, elbow mobility is essential.
So, do you have tennis elbow? Let’s find out.
This post answers the following questions:
What is tennis elbow?
How did I get tennis elbow?
How can I naturally relieve pain caused by tennis elbow?
Can a chiropractor alleviate my tennis elbow?
And more
If you’re experiencing elbow pain and wondering if you have tennis elbow, this article will give you valuable insight regarding pain management and effective healing.
What is Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow occurs when the soft tissues that connect the forearm to the elbow become irritated due to consistent and repetitive motion. When the forearm muscles are strained, tears and inflammation may develop on the outside of your elbow, and the result can be painful.
Typically, actions that cause tennis elbow need to be repeated daily for hours at a time, so whether you play a sport, routinely exercise, or your occupation depends upon a specific arm movement, you may find yourself with the condition.
Reasons for tennis elbow include:
Repetitive wrist motion
Repetitive arm motion
Trauma to the elbow, such as from a fall or sports accident
Professions and athletes prone to tennis elbow include:
Auto mechanics
Butchers
Chefs
Carpenters, cleaners, painters, and plumbers
Dentists
Landscapers
Musicians
Baseball and softball players
Bowlers
Fencers
Golfers
Racquet holders, such as tennis, squash, pickleball, and racquetball players
For most, missing out on activities or work isn’t an option, so finding relief for tennis elbow as soon as possible is important to prevent further pain and downtime.
Common symptoms of tennis elbow include:
Elbow stiffness and weakness
Stiffness or pain when extending your arm
Pain when twisting or bending your arm
Pain when grasping an item
Burning sensation in the outer elbow that may radiate down into your wrist
Arm and elbow pain that worsens at night
Tender and swollen elbow
Weakened grip when you try to hold items like a racquet or pen
If you suffer from any of these symptoms, safe, natural help may be closer than you think.
Tips to Relieve Tennis Elbow Discomfort At Home
For organic relief from your tennis elbow discomfort that doesn’t rely on pain-masking medications, try these at-home remedies.
Ice and elevate
Applying an ice pack to the affected arm will restrict blood flow to the injury. Circulation to the area can further inflame the tissues, causing more irritation and swelling, contributing to pain, and restricting movement and flexibility.
Discontinue the action
It’s important to give your injured elbow the rest it needs to restore and recover. Pushing through the pain and putting unrealistic demands on the tissues can create a more significant problem and lead to chronic pain. When the body is at rest, it has time to recoup, which is vital to the healing process.
Stretch and massage
Gently stretching and massaging the area will help remove pressure from affected tissues, encourage proper range of motion and movement patterns, and offer relaxation properties to the body and mind.
Chiropractic Solutions for Tennis Elbow in West Chester
Chiropractic services are trusted worldwide for their natural and comprehensive approach to care. Our clinic will give you a complete body analysis to ensure the correct wellness plan is designed and the injury can be treated quickly and safely.
We know your active lifestyle is being jeopardized, and we want to give you the tools to keep your body safe. Our tennis elbow chiropractor will provide the optimal in-clinic methods with take-home guidance so you can get better and stay better.
The chiropractic treatments we use to help alleviate tennis elbow include:
Schedule with our West Chester chiropractor and get responsible and lasting tennis elbow relief. See you soon!
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