If you are a Wyoming native who has been diagnosed with tennis elbow, you may be laughing to yourself – or at least you would be if you weren’t in so much pain. “How could I have tennis elbow?” you might say. “I’ve never picked up a racket in my life!” Actually, tennis elbow is simply caused from overuse of the arm and can affect athletes and non-athletes alike. In fact, over 95% of tennis elbow cases affect non-tennis players. Symptoms of tennis elbow include pain near the outside of the elbow. Usually, this increases gradually over time, but in some cases it can appear all at once. It is usually worse when you are grasping something or when you are putting a lot of pressure on the wrist. For example, pain could increase when you are opening a jar, cutting your food, or lifting things.
Tennis elbow cannot be diagnosed with an x-ray or any sort of medical testing other than a physical exam and the description you provide for your doctor. There are multiple treatment options for tennis elbow, including braces, cortisone and anti-inflammatory gels, cortisone shots, and, in very rare cases, surgery. One of the most common treatments for tennis elbow is physical therapy in Cheyenne, WY.
A common form of physical therapy for tennis elbow is ultrasound treatment. The heat of the ultrasound enhances flexibility in the area and encourages greater blood flow, which can reduce pain and the frequency of muscle spasms. Another form of physical therapy in Cheyenne, WY is trascutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. This treatment uses electrodes placed at certain nerve points. The electrical signals are said to cover up pain signals that the nerves send to the brain. Massage and manual therapy are other methods used in tennis elbow treatment. Forms of manual therapy include manipulation, in which a physical therapist will move bones or joints back into place, and mobilization, in which he or she will move them back into place with gentle pulls and twists. The most common form of physical therapy treatment for tennis elbow is learning exercises to strengthen the surrounding muscles and learning new ways to perform old tasks. For example, athletes will learn better ways to handle their equipment, throw balls, etc. Non-athletes may learn better ways to move when gardening, doing housework, or lifting.
Thanks to physical therapy in Cheyenne, WY, the recovery outlook for tennis elbow is good. Though it may take several weeks or even months to fully recover, a good physical therapist and exercise routine will speed up the process and get you feeling in top condition.