Let’s Talk About Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)

This isn’t just for tennis players. But if you’ve ever swung a tennis racket, you’ll understand the motion that limits people with this condition. It’s that back-swinging motion when your elbow straightens and the arm extends; aka a backhand

Usually it stems from overuse due to repetitive motion, and other trauma to the upper extremity; typically from the work setting. Ergonomics and physical demands of your workspace is highlighted on this topic because many of our injuries that are more insidious, are probably from micro-injuries over time. 

It’s one thing if you got into a bike accident and have pain from a traumatic event; that would be pretty clear on how/when you got injured. But many people have pain that come and go, with conditions that worsen over time and unsure exactly when it started. Lateral Epicondylitis is typically more like the latter set of symptoms. Hence, the nickname… tennis players have a very similar swing that repeats when playing, and the repetitive movement over time causes the appearance of the injury. 

However, not all those that play tennis get tennis elbow, and not all that have tennis elbow play tennis. For anyone like me who has never picked up a tennis racket, it probably stems from an activity that you spend a lot of time doing with repetitive motions, like working at a desk. 

If a person is experiencing pain in their elbow, they can contact their doctor who will then refer out to an Occupational Therapist. We do a series of assessments to evaluate how you’re affected by this condition functionally, strength, and pain severity. For treatment we will be giving a home program of exercises, provision of protective equipment or orthotics to facilitate healing, and clinic exercises/modalities. 

What I appreciate about the Occupational Therapy profession is that we treat the patient as a whole, and want to incorporate good habits to speed up your healing. We don’t just look at your strength and give rote exercise, and send you on your way. We will educate you on what is happening in your body, give suggestions for sleep positions, body mechanics for work to reduce strain on your body. We can also recommend pain management techniques without medication treatment. 

If you have questions, or may need Occupational Therapy Intervention contact us at (201) 777-0856 or book a free consult with us.