To speak with a Workplace Health & Wellbeing Consultant today, call 1300 424 895

Elbow pain, what can be causing it ?

Home » Elbow pain, what can be causing it ?

Article by Steve Pacini – Physiotherapist

We’ve all heard of tennis elbow, otherwise known as lateral epidondylalgia. In fact approximately 40% of us will experience the pains associated with tennis elbow at some point in our lifetime, With symptoms including pain focused around the elbow or radiating down the forearm and can be aggravated by almost any task that involves gripping or repetitive movements of the wrist, such as typing, using the mouse, cooking and cleaning.

But why is it that so many of us suffer from this condition when we don’t all play tennis ?

What Causes Tennis Elbow

Lateral epidondylalgia is commonly caused by repetitive overuse or misuse of the muscles in the forearm, in the office setting this could be due to how we use our mouse and keyboard.  Symptoms can often last for months to years and re occurrence is common. This is because along with painful inflammation there is commonly damage to our common extensor tendon, which is the tendon that attaches the muscles of your forearm to the bone in our elbow (the Lateral epicondyle).

How to Relieve Tennis Elbow Pain

So what do you do if you have tennis elbow ? Act early. Begin by limiting aggravating activities and try using ice over the painful area.

Early intervention and treatment are key to managing painful symptoms and will significantly decrease your recovery time.

  • Treatment may include:
  • Soft tissue and joint releases
  • Taping and bracing
  • Targeted rehab exercises – the most important !
  • Dry needling

 

To explore your treatment options, or to find out more come see us at the Wellness Centre. Book an appointment online today!