✓ Written & medically reviewed by Dr. Molly McDonald, PT, DPT, LMT · Updated December 1, 2023
Meet John, a 40-year-old software engineer who has always been an avid tennis player. Over the past few months, John has been experiencing a nagging pain in his elbow that won't seem to go away. John initially brushed off the pain, thinking it was just a minor injury that would heal on its own. But as the pain persisted and started to affect his performance on the court, John became increasingly worried. He didn't want to give up his favorite sport, but he also didn't want to risk causing further damage to his elbow.
John turned to the internet for help, hoping to find answers to his problem. He spent hours searching for information on how to treat tennis elbow. But the more he searched, the more overwhelmed he became. He encountered conflicting advice, confusing medical jargon, and a dizzying array of treatment options.
Eventually, John realized that he needed a professional to guide him through his recovery journey. He made an appointment with me, and together we created a personalized treatment plan that addressed his specific needs. With my guidance, John was able to manage his pain, rebuild his strength, and eventually return to playing tennis again PAIN-FREE!
Tennis elbow, a bothersome pain on the outside of the elbow, often begins as mild discomfort dismissed after a game of tennis or a workout. Although the pain initially subsides after a few days, it progressively increases in frequency and intensity over time. Eventually, it becomes painful to bend or straighten the elbow, and a popping sensation is sometimes felt. Writing or typing with that arm becomes difficult, andgrip strength diminishes, eroding confidence in the hand's ability to function properly.
Despite attempts to heal the tissue with platelet injections, many individuals find that the pain returns once they resume physical activity, such as playing tennis or working out. At this point, it's common to feel discouragedand consider giving up on your favorite activities due topersistent pain. However, it's crucial to remember that there is hope for a full recovery from tennis elbow. With the right treatment and care, you can return to doing what you love without discomfort.
Let's examine thephysical changes that occur with tennis elbow and explore a few stretches and wrist exercises that you can do at home to aid in your recovery. Additionally, we will discuss the most efficient way to return to your desired level of activity.
Tennis elbow is caused by repetitive gripping and overuse of the forearm muscles,leading to the accumulation of swelling and damage to the tissue in the elbow and forearm. This process occurs gradually over time, and eventually resting for a day or even a week is no longer effective in reducing pain or restoring strength.
Here are some things you can do at home to help with tennis elbow:
However, thefastest way to fully recover is to have a specialist examine your wrist, elbow, and shoulder to determine whether the injury is limited to the elbow or if there are other contributing factors. Identifying the root causeof the overworking may not be related to the hand and could be due to issues with the shoulder or poor posture.
Regular exercise has numerous benefits beyond pain management.Exercise releases endorphins, which are the body's natural painkillers, making it great for warding off daily stressors such as stiff joints, tight muscles, and emotional stress. Additionally, exercise can help regulate hormone production, reducing emotional stress. It also promotes healthy bone density, improves muscle flexibility, and enhances joint health by pushing nutrients in and out of the joint. So, incorporating regular exercise into your routine can not only help with pain management but also improve your overall health and well-being.
If you're experiencing tennis elbow pain and have tried various remedies with no success, it may be time to seek professional help. By consulting with a specialist, like yourgoalspt.com you can receive a comprehensive evaluation that looks at the entire kinetic chainto identify the root cause of your pain.
Not only can we provide targeted treatment for tennis elbow, but we can also assess if there are any contributing factors from other areas of the body such as the shoulder or posture. With a personalized treatment planthat includes exercises, stretches, and other modalities, we can help you fully recover from tennis elbow and get back to doing the activities you love. Don't let tennis elbow pain hold you back any longer, schedule an appointment today to take the first step towards recovery.
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About the author
Owner & Physical Therapist, Your Goals Physical Therapy — Cypress, TX
Molly helps active adults end nagging aches and pain and get back to the activities they love — without medication, injections, or surgery. She treats the root cause, not just the symptom, because you shouldn’t be told you can’t do something; you should be shown how.
