Tennis elbow, as it’s commonly called, is a painful condition that occurs when the tendons in the elbow are overloaded. This happens due to repetitive motion of the wrist and arm. Considered an overuse and strain injury, it occurs when repeated contraction of the forearm muscles takes place. We use these muscles to straighten and raise our hand and wrist. As strain occurs, pain ensues.
Racquet sports are the most common source of tennis elbow. With the popularity of pickleball, it could also call be called “pickleball elbow” – especially here in Naples!
With tennis and pickleball, it’s most often the movement of the backhand stroke repetitively that is responsible for this injury. The repeated motions and stress to the tissue can also result in a series of tiny tears in the tendons that attach the forearm muscles to the bone at the outside of the elbow.
With lateral epicondylitis (the technical name for tennis elbow), pain usually radiates from the outside of the elbow into the forearm and wrist. Not only is pain present, but weakness is often an issue as well. This can make it difficult to shake hands, hold an object, turn a doorknob, start a car using a key, or hold a coffee cup. The pain generally occurs where the tendons of the forearm muscles attach to the bony bump on the outside of your elbow. The pain is also known to spread down the forearm and sometimes to the wrist.
It may come as a surprise to know that racquet sports aren’t the only cause of tennis elbow. Many other common arm motions can cause this injury, including the use of certain tools, painting, and food prep, especially cutting meat. This means that certain occupations are more prone to tennis elbow, including painters, plumbers, carpenters, butchers, and chefs. Anyone whose job includes these types of motions can be at risk for this condition. Even repetitive use of a computer mouse can cause tennis elbow.
Tennis elbow is also more common after the age of 30 – especially for those engaging in racquet sports or the aforementioned careers.
Robotic Muscular Therapy Can Help
As the muscles in the forearm are overworked and shortened, the tendons that attach to the elbow become strained. Using the robotic arm and applying varying percentages of pressure at programmed intervals, we can relax the muscle. This gentle but sustained pressure relaxes and softens the tissue, lengthening the fibers of the muscle, and returning the muscle to its natural shape. The relaxation in the muscle alleviates the tension on the tendon. As the tendon tension resolves, it takes pressure off the joint. Mobility is then restored, and pain is alleviated.
Using this innovative technology to release tension, tennis elbow can be resolved along with many other conditions. The robotic arm is uniquely suited to apply the right percentage of pressure to a muscle allowing for the rebalancing of muscles. With 26 placements, many issues can be addressed, from back and neck pain to joint pain in shoulders and knees and even plantar fasciitis and carpal tunnel.
Theresa Edmunds is a Certified Health Coach and co-owner of Precision Robotics Muscular Therapy. She is passionate about helping people feel better inside and out. In addition to bringing this patented muscular technology to the Naples area, she enjoys coaching individuals and families toward a healthier lifestyle.
To make an appointment for Robotic Muscular Therapy or for a free 20-minute health coaching session, contact Theresa at 239.778.6842 or [email protected].