Tennis elbow is a painful condition affecting the outside part of the human elbow. This body part is scientifically called the lateral epicondyle. Thus, the medical term for this condition is lateral epicondylitis.

Tennis elbow is often caused by overuse, abuse, and misuse of the forearm. Many forearm muscles attach at or around the lateral epicondyle, so whenever they are exploited, they pull too much force on the elbow making it sore. The most common activities that can induce lateral epicondylitis include Tennis (especially backhands), frequent using of a screwdriver, drilling and repeated keyboard and mouse use.

Symptoms may involve pain and tenderness, and are usually felt on the outside of your dominant elbow and into the upper forearm. The pain is often exacerbated by wrist motions like gripping and anything which requires use of forearm muscles.

Osteopathic Treatment

The treatments and procedures osteopathy will provide may involve any or a combination of the following:

• Soft tissue techniques to relieve the tension
• Joint manipulation and mobilisation
• Gentle stretching techniques to restore the normal motion of the elbow
• Specific management techniques to reduce inflammation
• Massaging
• Eccentric exercises that can help improve the strength of the forearm and, thereby, prevent injury
• Dry needling of trigger points in the forearm and elbow.

Initially, these methods will be customized to the area of concern, but later on in the treatment program, the joints and muscles of the wrist, hand, shoulder, neck, ribs and back will all be evaluated. Dysfunction in these areas may predispose to or help to relieve the tennis elbow.

For further information or to consult with one of our skilled osteopaths, you can use the Contact Us or Appointment Request buttons at the top or bottom of this page.