How Can Massage Therapy Help With Tennis Elbow?

Tennis elbow is a condition that is not usually anything to do with tennis; most sufferers of tennis elbow have probably not been near a tennis racket since school! Tennis elbow is, in fact, the term for a condition known clinically as lateral epicondylitis.

Pain is felt around the outside of the elbow, around the outside of the upper forearm, and is most keenly felt when lifting or bending the arm. People with tennis elbow may also have difficulty gripping and twisting the forearm, such as holding pens, opening jars, or turning handles, and may have difficulty extending the forearm. Common causes of tennis elbow include:

Strenuous overuse of the muscles and tendons in the forearm at the point the arm bone anchors to the elbow.

• Unaccustomed usage: Painting a fence in a day, typing or DIY.
• Excessive gripping: Large amounts of hand washing!
• Lack of Technique: Poor technique when playing tennis or other racket sports (especially backhand movements).
• Muscle Issue: Tight muscles in the forearm or poor strength.
• Golfers Elbow: Pain on the inner elbow is commonly known as golfers’ elbow.

The bony elbow joint is surrounded by muscles controlled by tendons that move the forearm; tennis elbow is most commonly caused by overuse of the muscles attached to the elbow joint. If the muscles and tendons are strained, inflammation and tearing can occur near the bony part of the outer elbow.

Read More: Great Reasons To Choose Massage Therapy As A Career

How Does Massage Therapy Help Tennis Elbow?

Tennis elbow is a long, bothersome injury that can easily recur. Leaving the elbow to rest and mend itself can take anywhere between 6 months and 2 years; preventing reinjury is important.

Heat or cold compresses may help with inflammation, as will non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as Ibuprofen), and paracetamol will help to ease the pain. But taking medication without consulting a professional physician is not recommended. Deep-tissue massage of the forearm is a very effective way to ease and heal tennis elbow much faster than rest alone.

Deep-tissue massage will enhance circulation, and when combined with friction therapy to the tendons of the elbow joint, positive results are seen. Friction therapy reduces tension in the tendons, while deep-tissue massage techniques break up scar tissue, alleviate pain, release muscle spasms, and improve flexibility.

It is important to note that patience is essential when treating tennis elbow to avoid reinjury; it is tempting to resume normal activity as soon as symptoms are relieved.

Damaged structures remain vulnerable and can easily tear again before the healing process is complete. A few sessions of massage and exercising caution while the tissues gradually strengthen will ensure that injuries heal in the long term.

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