Lateral epicondylitis (or Tennis Elbow) affects many people, most of whom are not tennis players. The symptoms often includes: pain with moving the wrist or straightening/turning the elbow, decreased grip strength, and point tenderness on the top of the elbow, or lateral epicondyle.
Although the symptoms may be similar, there are many possible causes:
- yard work
- scrubbing the floor
- hammering or other tool work
- excessive writing or typing
- playing racquet sports
- golfing
- poor ergonomics or body mechanics
It can be so painful that even picking up a cup of coffee may be very painful. Most people deal with the pain on their own until it stops them from doing something they want or need to do in life. That is when a patient will typically walk through our doors seeking physical therapy.
Our evaluation will include an assessment of your strength, flexibility, and joint mobility, along with making sure the problem is not coming from somewhere else, such as your neck, shoulder, or elsewhere in your forearm.
Treatment varies depending upon your individualized needs, but we will often use extensive manual therapy techniques including the Graston Technique, stretching and strengthening the elbow, and even working your core and shoulder blade muscles. We can utilize modalities such as electrical stimulation, ultrasound, Kinesio Tape and heat/ice to manage your pain as well. We also look at potential problems with your body mechanics/ergonomics, and apply activity modification that you can incorporate right away in your daily life to decrease the stress on your arm.
If you think you may have a case of lateral epicondylitis and find pain has been limiting your function for too long, contact Dresher Physical Therapy today to see if we may be of assistance. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have.
