Elbow Pain
Elbow Pain Tamworth or Elbow Pain Lichfield?
Tennis elbow and golfers elbow are common terms used to describe epicondylitis which is an inflammatory condition at the elbow. Atlas Solihull Birmingham Physiotherapists and Tamworth Physiotherapists are very experienced at treating this condition. Atlas also have Tamworth Osteopaths who treat patients from Tamworth, Staffordshire, Atherstone, Polesworth, Kingsbury, Lichfield, Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, Swadlincote, Measham, Brownhills, Burton on Trent and Dordon,
Occasionally elbow pain can involve a trapped nerve called the ulna nerve
Pain in the back of the elbow can be triceps tendonitis or bursitis which can be caused by leaning your elbows onto a hard surface such as a desk.
Pain on the outside of the elbow is known as Tennis Elbow (lateral epicondylitis) and pain located on the inside of the elbow is referred to as Golfers Elbow (medial epicondylitis) Both conditions can be painful and prevent you performing daily activities such as squeezing or gripping something in your hand. Writing or keyboard work can be very uncomfortable and even holding a cup or glass can be difficult.
A visit to your GP may result in the option of anti inflammatory drugs or a steroid injection into the area of pain. This can be successful but many find only temporary relief and in a lot of cases the condition may become worse.
What needs to be done is to identify the cause of the problem and not just focus on the symptoms, that way the cause can be identified, treated and the condition should clear up. Causes of epicondylitis are varied and may involve overuse repeated activities such as excessive use of the mouse on computer work or continual movements of lifting such as performed by checkout operatives in a supermarket.
Weight training where lifting heavy weights results in having to grip the bar very hard can produce painful symptoms in the elbow and of course racquet sports such as tennis where correct selection of racquet size is important. Back handed shots in tennis especially where you are returning fast hard serves puts enormous stress on the forearm muscles which have their origins at the elbow.
Physiotherapy treatment may include acupuncture, electrotherapy, rest, ice and soft tissue massage of the forearm. After the injury has been resolved a strengthening routine of the target muscles should be introduced in order to prevent further problems. Wearing an epicondyle clasp over the upper forearm will help relieve pressure at the elbow and make the condition more comfortable.