Active Release Technique® Treatment for Tennis Elbow

Tennis Elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is an overuse condition that causes elbow pain over the outside of the elbow and forearm.

And although Tennis Elbow is common in people who play tennis or other racquet sports, only a small percentage of people who get Tennis Elbow pain actually get it from playing tennis.  Anyone who performs repetitive movements involving the hand and wrist, such as working at a computer or doing physical labor, are all at risk for developing Tennis Elbow.

Tennis Elbow pain is more common in men than women, and often occurs between 30-50 years of age.  Tennis Elbow can also occur in younger or older individuals, especially in athletes. 

Active Release Technique is a fast and effective treatment for Tennis Elbow, and can help eliminate elbow pain quickly and permanently.  Most people who receive Active Release treatment for Tennis Elbow or elbow pain report dramatic improvement in as little as 2 or 3 treatments.

 

What is Tennis Elbow? What is Lateral Epicondylitis?

Tennis Elbow and lateral epicondylitis are actually the same thing.  Tennis Elbow is a repetitive stress injury that causes elbow pain at the point where the muscles and tendons of the forearm attach to the outside of the elbow.  This attachment point is called the lateral epicondyle so the condition is called lateral epicondylitis. 

Repetitive use or overuse of these muscles and tendons results in stiffness, inflammation and pain over the elbow and forearm.  Tennis Elbow can make even simple activities involving the hand, forearm and elbow painful and difficult to perform. Golfer's Elbow and Elbow bursitis are similar types of injury, but occur in a different part of the elbow.  Tennis Elbow, Golfer's Elbow and elbow bursitis all respond well to Active Release Technique®.

 

What Causes Tennis Elbow and Lateral Epicondylitis?

The most common cause of Tennis Elbow is repetitive use or overuse of the muscles of the forearm.  As these muscles becomes overworked, inflammation sets in and scar tissue forms where the muscles and tendons attach at the elbow (the lateral epicondyle).  The muscles become stiff and weak as overuse continues, leading to deep elbow pain and repetitive injury to the elbow.

Tennis Elbow is common in people who do physical labor, use a computer for a living, or play racquet sports because of the repetitive elbow and hand motion required for these activities.  Other causes of Tennis Elbow elbow pain include direct trauma to the elbow or improper form during sports and activity.

 

What Are the Symptoms of Tennis Elbow?

The most common symptoms of Tennis Elbow are pain and stiffness over the elbow which may radiate down the forearm. Grasping objects with your hand or bending your wrist back can be very painful and your grip may start to feel weak. 

Tennis Elbow is often bad enough that people will limit activities involving their hands because they’re just too painful.

 

Active Release Technique® Treatment for Tennis Elbow

In order for Tennis Elbow treatment to be effective, three specific objectives need to be accomplished: 

1.  Break up scar tissue and adhesions in the soft tissues around the elbow

2.  Return normal function to the muscles and tendons of the forearm

3.  Reverse inflammation and swelling around the elbow

1. Active Release Technique can accomplish these three objectives in a short period of time, with dramatic results and a quick return to activity.  People with Tennis Elbow often report a dramatic decrease in elbow pain after just a few treatments.

 

Effective Treatment of Tennis Elbow in Bellevue, WA

To learn more about how Chiropractic and Active Release Technique can help eliminate your Tennis Elbow pain, please consider scheduling a consultation with Dr. Keith McGahey.  His Chiropractic clinic, Eastside Chiropractic Group, is located in Downtown Bellevue near Overlake Hospital. Open Saturdays, same day appointments are available, and consultations are ALWAYS FREE!  Call (425) 455-2711.