Common causes of tennis elbow include:
- playing racquet sports, such as tennis, badminton or squash
- throwing sports, such as the javelin or discus
- using shears while gardening
- using a paintbrush or roller while decorating
- manual work, such as plumbing or bricklaying
- activities that involve fine, repetitive hand and wrist movements, such as using scissors or typing
- other activities that involve repeatedly bending the elbow, such as playing the violin
There have even been reports of people suffering tennis elbow type problems after playing computer games such as Wii, Playstation and Xbox!
Tennis elbow can also sometimes occur after banging or knocking your elbow.
The following are some helpful tips to prevent and alleviate tennis elbow
- To reduce pain and swelling wrap ice in a towel and apply to elbow for 20 – 30 minutes every 3 to 4 hours for a couple of days, to reduce pain and swelling
- Using an elbow strap to protect the injured tendon from further strain
- Performing a range of motion exercises to reduce stiffness and increase flexibility
- Acupuncture may be helpful to relieve the pain
- Having physiotherapy to strengthen and stretch the muscles
Research carried out by Dr Dorsher* suggested that acupuncture can relieve the symptoms of tennis elbow, possibly even resolving the condition completely. This pilot study was presented at the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in San Francisco. Many of his patients had been in pain for many months. Subjects in the study group suffered symptoms on average for eight months. Six patients had experience symptoms for more than 2 years. For further information on how Acupuncture can help you please call Angela on 07919 930188.
*Dorsher PT. Treatment of chronic lateral epicondylitis with acupuncture: a pilot study. Presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, San Francisco, CA, November 4, 2000.
