Earning its nickname from the frequency of the condition among tennis players, tennis elbow can be painful but is easily treated and affects more than just those who play tennis. A form of tendonitis, tennis elbow causes pain over the bony prominence on the outside of the elbow called the lateral epicondyle. Caused by repetitive stress on the muscles and tendons connected to this area, eventually leading to tears in the muscles and tendons, tennis elbow can cause localized pain or in some cases, the pain may radiate down into the forearm. It is estimated up to half of tennis players experience tennis elbow, while about 30% of those who do repetitive hand work such as cooking or painting also suffer from the condition.
Once tennis elbow has set in, it can last for weeks or even months and is aggravated by the same things that caused it. While drug therapies and even, in some cases, surgeries have been prescribed as treatment in the past; today there are drug- free and non-invasive options available. Chiropractic Neurology is one such treatment. Although tennis elbow may not have been traditionally thought of as a chiropractic condition, utilizing chiropractic methods can quickly alleviate pain and reduce inflammation leading to improved range of motion and allowing the damaged tendons to heal quicker.
The treatments that your Chiropractic Neurologist may employ vary by patient; as each patient is different, so is the course of action. However, in most cases exercise is an important part of any treatment plan. The exercise plan that your doctor will develop for you may be based on what is known as the “Super seven”, a series of seven specialized exercises designed specifically for the rehabilitation of tennis elbow. Or your doctor may design a program specific to your needs. In any case, most of the exercises may be done easily at home, speeding up the recovery time and preventing further damage.
Sports injuries are an inevitable part of life for many people who play sports on a regular basis. Things like tennis elbow, sprains and runners knee are among the most common injuries that require treatment today and Chiropractic Neurology offers patients an alternative to traditional medicine, relying on restoring health through the brain-nervous system connection rather than medicines and surgical procedures. Not only is this an effective course of treatment but also a fast-acting remedy. If you or a loved one are experiencing tennis elbow or any sports injury and would like to learn more about how Chiropractic Neurology can benefit you, please contact our office today.