Battling Tennis Elbow? Try These Two Tennis Racket Tips

We see tennis elbow a lot around here.  Tennis elbow, otherwise known as lateral epicondylitis, often affects people that have never picked up a tennis racket. It is typically seen in tennis athletes, so anyone complaining of lateral elbow pain with gripping and lifting is categorically diagnosed with tennis elbow.   In tennis athletes, this can be a debilitating condition that limits or severely restricts the ability to play tennis.  Unfortunately, many athletes try and play through the pain, only making it more chronic and worse.

Symptoms of Tennis Elbow

The pain may be either achy or sharp, depending how long you have had it.  It is along the lateral aspect or “outside” part of the elbow/forearm.  Acute tennis elbow is usually more point-tender, more localized, and sharper. It also tends to be worse at the onset of activity, better during, and then worse again after. As tennis elbow progresses and becomes more chronic, the pain is achier, more diffuse, and starts to hurt during otherwise benign activities. Tennis elbow usually makes gripping difficult and may even cause a person to feel weak. Pain can occasionally shoot down to the hand and may even cause a burning feeling.

Treatment for Tennis Elbow

Rest is usually the first thing to do with tennis elbow.  Many athletes try a tennis elbow strap that acts as a counterforce brace.  There is evidence that they can help in the short-term a bit, but they are not a long-term solution because who wants to wear a brace all the time?  Stretching and eccentric exercises can also be effective, and strengthening of the hips and shoulder muscles helps as well.  However, there are two things that tennis players can do to their tennis racket that will help a lot.  Check out our YouTube clip below to learn more.  Still hurting? Give us a call, it would be a privilege to serve you and partner with you in your care.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5kzvSkze3U

Tags: Kansas City, Overland Park, physical therapist, Physical Therapy, prairie village, Tennis Elbow, Tennis Elbow Tips