Tennis Elbow Treatment in Clifton, NJ - Clifton PT

Introduction

Lateral epicondylitis, more commonly known as tennis elbow, is a painful condition that makes even simple tasks challenging to perform. Whether it’s a nagging elbow pain limiting your range of movement and grip or simply causing discomfort throughout the day, treatment can help you live comfortably and functionally again.

To schedule an appointment, contact us today at (973)-922-9659 for relief that can last.

Key Takeaways:

1.   Quick Preventive Measures: Early treatment helps curb the chances of chronic pain and the need for invasive solutions to manage tennis elbow.

2.   Effective Therapies: Physical therapy exercises, manual therapy, and treatments like ultrasound and laser therapy can relieve pain and accelerate recovery.

3.   Helpful Modifications: Braces, lifestyle modifications, and technique adjustments can help avoid overuse injuries.

4.   Prevention: Consistent resistance training & proper warmups can minimize recurrence beyond a few years with the same exercise routine, and periods of doing different activities help by minimizing time spent in isometric immobilization.

5.   Clifton Physical Therapy: Personalized care is available for expert treatments, and immediate pain relief; call (973)-922-9659 to schedule an evaluation.

What Is Tennis Elbow, and Why Does It Happen?

Tennis elbow is a repetitive strain injury affecting the tendons in the outer elbow, typically caused by overuse. While it commonly affects tennis players, anyone who performs repetitive wrist or forearm motions—such as plumbers, painters, and office workers—can develop this painful condition. The primary symptoms include:

•    Pain and tenderness on the outer part of the elbow
•    Weak grip strength, especially when lifting or gripping objects
•    Discomfort during simple activities like turning a doorknob or shaking hands

The pain results from microscopic tears in the tendon that attach to the elbow, leading to inflammation and discomfort. Treating tennis elbow quickly can prevent it from becoming a chronic issue, allowing you to resume your activities pain-free.

Diagnosis of Tennis Elbow

Diagnosis generally includes a physical exam and a discussion of your symptoms and daily activities. A physical therapist can measure your range of motion, grip strength, and pain level with certain movements to properly evaluate how bad the condition is. An imaging test, such as ultrasound or MRI may be used to support your diagnosis if the symptoms continue.

The Importance of Prompt Care

Early treatment is important to prevent more damage to the tendon. If you haven’t received a diagnosis but are experiencing pain, early therapy can be much more beneficial than delaying treatment, which could lead to chronic pain.

Early intervention can help control symptoms and return to function without undergoing invasive surgeries. Treatment is designed to target the root causes, such as muscle imbalances or poor technique that lead to these overuse injuries.

What Treatments Provide Relief for Tennis Elbow?

1. Physical Therapy Exercises

Targeted exercises are a cornerstone of tennis elbow treatment. A physical therapist will guide you through exercises designed to strengthen the muscles surrounding the elbow and forearm, which helps reduce strain on the affected tendon. Common exercises include:

•   Eccentric wrist extensions: Strengthen the muscles involved in wrist extension.

•   Forearm pronation and supination: Rotate the forearm with light resistance to build stability.

•   Grip exercises: Enhance hand and wrist strength for better function.

2. Manual Therapy Techniques

Manual therapy that includes joint mobilizations and soft tissue manipulations can help decrease muscle and tendon tension around the elbow. This type of manual therapy increases circulation and decreases pain which assists in helping the injured tissue to repair itself.

They further help in decreasing pain by providing relief to tight stiff joints and sore muscles using techniques such as deep tissue massage, and myofascial release that reduce their inflammation which can ultimately improve mobility long term.

3. Ultrasound and Laser Therapy

This treatment sends sound waves into your muscle tissue and joints to help blood flow and reduce swelling while encouraging connective-tissue health. On the other hand, Laser therapy is efficient in promoting healing and accelerating recovery by boosting cell regeneration. Non-invasive, these treatments help many of you suffering the Tennis elbow pain as well as support recovery included in a place to comprehensively get your care.

4. Ice and Heat Application

Ice can decrease inflammation and numb pain, especially after activities that worsen symptoms. In contrast, heat loosens up the stiffness of muscles and increases blood flow to the wound. Make an appointment with a physical therapist to discuss when ice or heat should be utilized based on your symptoms.

5. Bracing or Taping

A brace or supportive strap can help to distribute the forces that irritate the tendon and thus decrease the load on your elbow. A forearm brace might be recommended by physical therapists for patients who have tennis elbow, especially while they are doing activities that involve the use of their hands and may aggravate it. Taping techniques also can be applied to provide short-term support and pain relief.

Which Lifestyle Modifications Can Aid Recovery?

Aside from therapy, lifestyle changes play a crucial role in managing tennis elbow. Making the following adjustments can prevent aggravation and promote healing:

•   Rest and modify activities: Give the affected arm a break from repetitive motions. Consider using ergonomic equipment that supports proper posture and minimizes strain.


•   Warm up before activity: Stretching and warming up before engaging in sports or physical tasks can prevent injury by preparing the muscles for activity.

•   Gradually increase intensity: Avoid sudden increases in activity level to reduce the risk of overloading the tendon. Gradual increases allow your muscles and tendons time to adapt.

How Can You Prevent Tennis Elbow from Reoccurring?

Once symptoms are under control, maintaining the right habits is essential to prevent recurrence. The following preventive measures can keep tennis elbow at bay:

•   Regular strength training: Incorporate forearm, wrist, and shoulder-strengthening exercises to support the elbow and reduce strain on the tendons.

•   Proper technique: Whether in sports or daily activities, using proper technique helps distribute forces evenly and minimizes strain on the elbow.

•    Take breaks: Regular breaks during repetitive activities help reduce fatigue in the tendons, decreasing the likelihood of re-injury.

What Are the Benefits of Physical Therapy for Tennis Elbow?

Physical therapy provides long-term benefits by addressing the underlying causes of tennis elbow, rather than merely treating the symptoms. By working with a licensed physical therapist, you receive a customized treatment plan tailored to your specific condition, including hands-on care, personalized exercise regimens, and education on preventive techniques. The benefits include:

•   Pain relief: Targeted interventions reduce inflammation and ease discomfort.

•   Improved mobility: Therapy restores full function and range of motion.

•   Enhanced strength: Strengthening exercises improve the endurance and resilience of muscles around the elbow.

•   Personalized care: Each treatment plan is designed to meet your unique needs, ensuring you receive the most effective approach to recovery.

Do I Need to See a Doctor for Tennis Elbow?

For pain caused by repetitive use, early treatment is crucial, as untreated injuries will only worsen over time. The professional hands-on care of Clifton Physical Therapy can help speed up your recovery and reduce pain so you can get back to doing daily activities faster.

Our team will provide you with the highest quality treatment, education on your condition, and implementation of preventative strategies to maintain optimal results. To make an appointment call (973)-922-9659.

Conclusion

While tennis elbow is pretty common, the right treatment plan can keep it from stopping you in your tracks. Whether it's by working on targeted exercises, manual therapy, or using advanced techniques such as ultrasound, all can diminish your lower back pain and prevent future episodes.

Act now, and call (973)-922-9659 to book an appointment with our physiotherapist, who will guide you on the road to recovery.