Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow, clinically known as lateral epicondylitis, is a condition in which pain is felt around the outside of the elbow. The pain is usually felt upon performing movements such as bending or lifting of the arm, gripping objects such as a pen or when turning a door handle. Tennis elbow arises after strenuous overuse of the muscles or tendons in the forearm leading to small tears, inflammation and pain. To avoid the pain sensation, the sufferer may abstain from movement, which in turn can lead to stiffening, loss of movement and tightening of the elbow joint. The help of an osteopath will help you to break this vicious cycle of pain and movement avoidance to prevent long-lasting problems.

The NHS website states that manual therapies can be recommended, particularly in persistent or severe cases of tennis elbow, that take a while to go away. Tendons typically heal slowly, therefore, meaning some cases can go on for a year or longer. Your osteopathy can combine therapists such as massage, stretching, strengthening and manipulation of the affected area to lessen the symptoms allowing you to continue your normal everyday activities.

An important part of the treatment process with your osteopath will be a thorough assessment of not only your elbow but all of your joints and muscle groups. An osteopath works on the belief that all of the body systems are interlinked and connected. An osteopath understands that although the pain is felt in your elbow, the underlying root cause may actually be due to an imbalance elsewhere in the body (for example a tight or weak muscle on one side of the body when compared to the other).

Your osteopath at the London Osteopathy clinic will be able to offer advice, carefully considered around your lifestyle, capabilities and preferences. Detailed advice can range from how to avoid or modify activities to lessen the symptoms of tennis elbow, ergonomic consideration (how you set up your workstation, etc), as well as diet, weight management, stress and exercise advice. There are three London Osteopath clinics, one in Holborn, one in Beckenham and one in central London, assessment and treatment of tennis elbow is available at your preferred clinic.