
Tennis elbow (outside/lateral) -*excessive computer mouse use* -using plumbing tools -painting -driving screws -cutting up cooking ingredients, particularly meat -tennis (improper form) | Golfer’s elbow (inside/medial) -*typing* -improper form in golf, racket sports, throwing sports -weight training -other activities like painting, raking, hammering, chopping wood |
What are the Symptoms?
Tennis elbow -pain on outer part of elbow (lateral epicondyle) -pain may radiate down into forearm and wrist -point tenderness over lateral epicondyle -gripping and movements of the wrist hurt, especially wrist extension and lifting movements -activities like pouring milk or lifting with the palm down are painful -stiffness -difficulty shaking hands, turning door knob, holding a cup of coffee | Golfer’s elbow -pain and tenderness on inside of elbow (medial epicondyle) -pain may extend along inner side of forearm -point tenderness over medial epicondyle -weakness in hand and wrist -stiffness -numbing and tingling sensations that radiates into one or more fingers -difficulty shaking hands, turning door knob, swinging club, squeeze or pitch ball - lifting with the palm down is painful |
How will Massage Therapy help? The goal of Massage Therapy during the acute phase of healing is to reduce inflammation, reduce pain, help you relax, treat any muscles that are compensating for the injury, reduce any edema that may be present, reduce any trigger points and help maintain your range of motion. Once your elbow has started to heal, or if it has become a chronic condition, the goals remain the same as acute, but we also work to reduce any restrictions in the fascia ((fash´e-ah)[L.] a sheet or band of fibrous tissue such as lies deep to the skin or invests muscles and various body organs), improve tissue health, restore range of motion to normal, and stretch shortened muscles.
The most important thing to remember is don’t just ignore that pain in your elbow, take action before it can interrupt while you are in the swing of things.