How can I have “tennis elbow’ if I don’t play tennis?
Even though it’s winter there are plenty of people still playing tennis (does
watching Federer win Roland Garros count?), but if you don’t play tennis how
can you have “tennis elbow”?

Using the term “tennis elbow” is generally obsolete in the health professionals
world, but you still hear it being used to describe pain in the elbow region and
hence the confusion.

The most common elbow/forearm pain that we see in our massage clinic is an
extensor tendonopathy, sometimes called Lateral Epicondylitis which means a
degeneration of the tendon of Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis (ECRB) muscle
which is located just below the elbow on the outside of the forearm.
Enough big words for now...lets see why this is a common and frustrating injury.

The reason why this area is common for injury is that the tendon has low
blood supply and tends to get overused, for example: tennis, but also other
sports such as kite-surfing, wakeboarding, squash, and even day to day things
that require gripping, and is usually an insidious onset.

There may be an inflammatory component to this injury but it is usually
secondary to the degeneration of the tendon. Other possible causes for pain in
this region are muscle tear, synovitis, bursitis, nerve entrapment, neural
involvement from cervical or thoracic spine.

So what can you do?
If you are experiencing pain in this region and have reduced grip strength then
stop the repetitive action you are doing that may be causing the tendon
degeneration and come in for a series of massage treatments.

Recommendations are to rest and/or avoid the repetitive activity for at least 12
weeks as the tendon needs to repair but be aware to avoid absolute rest as this
can decondition the tissue Use pain as your guide and use NSAID’s if necessary
weeks as the tendon needs to repair but be aware to avoid absolute rest as this
can decondition the tissue. Use pain as your guide and use NSAID’s if necessary.
Ice can help with the inflammation part, but stretching and massage are your
tools to getting this right. Then adding in some concentric and eccentric
strengthening later down the track. Remember; this injury has taken a long time
to occur so it may take a while to settle.
Balance Massage recommends an intensive treatment plan of twice weekly
massage (20 to 30 minutes each), rest, ice, stretching and gentle strengthening
when the time is right and getting you back to your game.
Call us today 3780059