Tennis Elbow

What is tennis elbow?

Tennis elbow is a grumpy tendon. If you overuse your forearm muscles it can make the tendon stressed and sore and this = tendinopathy. Usually you feel it over the outside knobbly bit of your elbow which is where the tendon attaches. Fun fact – not always tennis induced!

Why does tennis elbow happen?

Have you done a bunch of gardening on the weekend? Have you shaken a thousand hands in a row? Did you unscrew every jar of pickles at Woolworths? Or – have you been working hard at a desk and been a bit stressed and now even driving is making it sore? (More on this later). If the muscle has been asked to do a good chunk more than it usually does, it can react by making the tendon stressed = tennis elbow.

What can you do about tennis elbow?
Tennis Elbow Physiotherapy in Newcastle.

Sounds weird but…strengthen the muscle. Slow, pain free and gradually increase. Whatever you do, don’t stop using it – it’ll get weak and stiff and be a massive thorn in your…side/elbow! Sometimes taping it helps, sometimes a brace. Manual therapy like massage and mobilising can help too. And if your physio is suspicious that your neck or back is the cause – you need treatment for this part of the problem.

How long will tennis elbow take?

Depends on how long you’ve had it, how sore it is, whether there are other factors but in general you should start feeling a difference within 6-8 wks. If its been sticking around for months and its very grumpy – it might take a few months to really start kicking goals.