Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) is a funny name for a common elbow injury considering most people who have it don't even play tennis. However you come by it, it is a very painful condition that can make even simple daily tasks a challenge.
Thankfully, tennis elbow is not serious and generally treatable. If you think you have tennis elbow, here are some things you need to know.
What Causes Tennis Elbow
There are two types of tennis elbow: acute and chronic.
Acute tennis elbow is caused by inflammation in the tendon of the outer part of the elbow. The tendon is inflamed by stress put on the muscle in the forearm repetitively, such as one plays tennis and is swinging a racket over and over. Tennis elbow can also affect those who play any kind of sport that makes similar repetitive movements, such as swimmers, baseball players, or golfers.
Certain jobs can also cause tennis elbow: carpentry, plumbing, deli workers, butchers, dentists, or musicians, for example, may all be prone to developing tennis elbow due to repetitive extensions of the arm.
Chronic tennis elbow, on the other hand, is caused by the tissue of the tendon degenerating. This leads to the development of scar tissue, weakening the arm and causing a decrease in flexibility. With chronic tennis elbow, the arm is at risk for further injury.
Symptoms of Tennis Elbow
People with tennis elbows will have pain and difficulty using their injured arms. The pain will increase when you attempt to lift things, make a fist, grip objects, raise your arm, straighten your wrist, or type on a computer.
People will generally recover in time with little to no treatment. Treatment will, of course, help speed up recovery in most cases. Tennis elbow pain can last from 6 months to two years, though chronic tennis elbow can take longer and may be more difficult to heal.
Treatment Options
Some people manage the pain with medication, ice packs, or heating pads. You may also be referred to physical therapy by your doctor, and a series of sessions may put you on the road to recovery. A small portion of sufferers may require surgery.
For many people, chiropractic care offers a natural, non-invasive, drug-free way to manage pain and help facilitate the body's natural healing process. This can help accelerate the healing time for tennis elbow.
How We Treat Tennis Elbow
Dr. Gordon Elder of the Blair Chiropractic Clinic in Lubbock, Texas is an expert trained in the Blair Chiropractic Technique. The Blair Technique is a modern technique that focuses on the healthy alignment of the upper cervical spine. Blair practitioners use state-of-the-art technology and specialize in unique hands-on methods to help make gentle, low-pressure, yet precise corrections to the spine.
The upper cervical spine consists of the seven uppermost vertebrae. Often when people are suffering from tennis elbow, the C6 and C7 vertebrae are pinching a nerve that causes pain near the lateral epicondyle (that bony bump on your elbow). Dr. Elder has a three-step plan to help treat tennis elbow.
The first step of Dr. Elder's treatment involves 3D diagnostic imaging scans using revolutionary technology. This allows the doctor to get a better vision of your anatomy and pinpoint any problems.
The second step is the healing process. Once the spine is properly aligned, it alleviates pressure on the rest of the joints, muscles, ligaments, etc. of the musculoskeletal system. Once this happens, not only will you feel some relief from pain, but the body's natural healing mechanisms begin to kick in so they can help repair damage and restore function.
The third step of Dr. Elder's treatment involves ongoing wellness care with regular visits. This will help the doctor ensure problems don't return, and he can nip any new issues in the bud.
Tennis elbow can get in your way of working and playing, so don't let the pain be any worse than it has to be. Call Dr. Elder for a consultation. The doctor's areas of coverage include Lubbock, Amarillo, Midland, Odessa, Abilene, and El Paso in Texas, as well as Hobbs in New Mexico.
Published by Vic Belonogoff: A Blair Chiropractic doctor helped heal vertigo, among other conditions that Vic Belonogoff suffered from, and it gave him his life back. He continues to see an upper cervical chiropractor as a preventative measure. Vic Belonogoff is passionate about upper cervical chiropractic and how much it helps patients.