The Insurance Information Institute (III) reported that in 2017 almost 3.6 million Americans injured themselves while playing a sport. Although tennis may not seem like it can cause sports injuries, tennis elbow is actually a painful injury, and it can affect many people in Harmony, Pennsylvania.
What is tennis elbow?
Tennis elbow is also known by the proper medical name of lateral epicondylitis. This condition is a tendon injury that affects the tendons on the outside of the elbow. Many people get tennis elbow from doing repetitive movements, such as hitting a tennis ball. However, tennis movements aren’t the only ones that can lead to lateral epicondylitis. People who use vibrating tools like jackhammers can also develop tennis elbow, and this means construction workers are at higher risk of this injury. Painters and assembly line workers also perform repetitive elbow movements that can lead to this condition.
What are some symptoms of tennis elbow?
Pain is probably the most common symptom of tennis elbow, and lateral epicondylitis pain is typically felt in the outside of the elbow. However, it can also radiate into the upper arm, the forearm and the wrist. Other symptoms you may have with this condition include numbness or tingling sensations and muscle weakness. The muscle weakness can often make it harder to open doors, lift a glass off a table and do other normal daily tasks.
How to treat tennis elbow
If you’ve developed tennis elbow, there are several options that can help you treat it. Most doctors recommend a period of rest to allow healing to begin in the elbow. After a few days of rest, though, you should find a physical therapist that can help with your recovery.
What physical therapy techniques are effective for tennis elbow?
One way a physical therapist can help you is to build you a treatment plan that specifically targets tennis elbow. Therapeutic exercises are a therapy method that’s often used in these plans. The goal of these exercises is to strengthen the muscles around the elbow, and this helps provide greater support for the elbow joint and helps reduce strain on the injured tendons.
Joint mobilization is another therapy technique that can benefit tennis elbow treatment plans. This technique is performed by a physical therapist, and it involves them using their hands to move your elbow in specific ways. Specifically, the movements are intended to help increase the lubricating fluid in the joint and reduce stiffness.
Find tennis elbow physical therapy at Panther Physical Therapy in Harmony, PA
Harmony residents can find help with tennis elbow treatment at the Panther Physical Therapy clinic right here in town. Our team can perform a free screening to determine which symptoms are troubling you the most. Then, we’ll build you a personalized treatment plan. Your plan can include the two techniques discussed above, but it may also make use of other methods like:
Come find out how effective out tennis elbow treatment plans are. Contact us today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.