Osteopathy Treatment for Tennis and Golfer's Elbow
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Tennis and golfer's elbow explained
What is tennis/golfer's elbow?
Tennis and golfer's elbow are typically an overuse or overload injury which chronically stresses the tendon. The pain is felt in the upper forearm/elbow region.
- Tennis elbow refers to pain felt on the outside of the forearm and elbow.
- Golfer's elbow refers to pain felt on the inside of the forearm and elbow.
These are just labels and don’t necessarily describe the cause. Tennis and golfer's elbow can be caused by any activity that repetitively stresses the wrist, such as typing, gardening, carpentry, heavy lifting, and other racquet or throwing sports.
What are the symptoms of tennis/golfer's elbow?
Common patient complaints include:
- Persistent pain, particularly after certain activities
- Tenderness to touch at the elbow area
- Pain aggravated by wrist or hand movements
- Weakness and stiffness in the elbow and hand
- Tingling or numbness in the fingers
How do I get back to normal?
The anatomy of tendons is quite different from muscles, so rehab for tennis elbow and golfer's elbow requires a unique approach.
Here are some important considerations:
Don’t worry about how scans of your tendon look. Research shows that injured tendons are actually still pretty strong and can handle increased loads gradually.
Don’t massage your tendon. Pain is a signal that it's irritated, so massaging it can make things worse.
Don’t stretch your tendon. Even though it might feel good temporarily, stretching a tendon can actually put pressure on it, which can lead to more harm than good.
What should you do?
Do gradually increase the load on the tendon and surrounding muscles through exercise. Exercise-based rehab has proven to be the most effective treatment for tendon pain.
Do listen to your pain levels and avoid activities that involve rapid or powerful movements (like throwing). Start with slower, controlled movements and build up from there.
Do seek out help! Tendon pain can be stubborn and rest alone may not be enough. Seek out professional help to develop an exercise-based rehab plan tailored to your specific needs and progressions. Together with the right exercise, you can strengthen the tendon and work towards pain-free movement.