Tennis Elbow.. What is it and what can we do for it

Tennis elbow isn’t just a limited to those who regularly take to the court. Being a Manual Therapist, Massage Therapist and running small Pilates classes I have seen a number people from all walks of life suffer with ‘tennis elbow’... Builders, Painters, Office workers and more.
 
But what actually is ‘Tennis elbow’? More importantly what can you do if you're  suffering from these symptoms?

 Tennis elbow is known as lateral epicondylitis. It happens when the outside of the elbow becomes inflamed. It is not limited just to Tennis players. It can affect anyone; especially those who go through that similar repetitive motion, similar to the movement of tennis player.
 
So what can you do if you get this?
 
Firstly let’s look at reducing the symptoms. Remember with any inflammation this is great in the short term and can give relief, however it won’t necessarily correct the underlying cause of the problem.
 
 Ice
Icing is also a good place to start, especially at the first sign of any inflammation. When icing never apply ice directly to the skin. Always wrap a something around the ice pack (tea towel are always good). Ice for no more than 10 minutes and repeat a few times a day.
 
Rest
Another simple one, rest. Again at the first sign of inflammation rest for a couple of days after. This can also be combined with the icing technique.
 
Kinesiology taping
I have found this one works great for reducing the symptoms. You may have seen the sports stars wearing different colour tape over their body. There is a great technique for taping ‘tennis elbow’. Again it may not be a long term solution but to reduce the symptoms or it can take the edge of if you have a big game up ahead. Keep your eyes peeled on my Facebook page ‘Pilates Performance Therapy’ and I will upload a video of how to tape for ‘Tennis elbow’.
 
As I mentioned before these are good to help ease the symptoms in the short term, however they may not address the underlying cause.
 
In the past I have found there can be a number of reasons that one may suffer with the symptoms of tennis elbow. These have included:

• Imbalance in the rotator cuff (shoulder blade)
• Shoulder biomechanics
• Lack of rotation between the ulna & radius (forearm bones)
• Nerve tension coming from the neck

 
These are just a few things I have come across with clients suffering from these symptoms. Remember it may also not just be one simple thing; there may be a combination of factors causing these symptoms.
 
If the symptoms don’t appear to be getting better of a short space of time it is recommended you seek professional advice, any manual therapist will understand the condition of this and will be able to help.
 
If you want any help at all if your suffering from any of these symptoms, please feel free to give me a call or book an appointment in my studio for a free 15 minute chat, to see what options are open to you. 

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About the author
My name is Alex Moore & I'm a Manual Therapist & Pilates instructor who works across the south of England. My manual therapy covers a range of different disciplines which include: Massage, Biomechanics & Pilates. I work with a range of clients, who suffer with a range of different issues such as Back pain, Sciatica, Frozen shoulder, Hip bursitis, plantar fasciitis & more.
I work from my home studio in Poole and also hold Pilates classes around Corfe Mullen, Broadstone, Poole, Wareham, Bearwood & Wimborne.