How to fix tennis elbow with Physiotherapy

Tennis elbow is considered an overuse injury to the extensor tendons in the elbow. It can be a painful injury that can be felt with gripping, typing or lifting objects.

How to fix tennis elbow quickly:

At Smart Moves Physiotherapy, we aim to provide pain relief as soon as possible for clients with tennis elbow. This may include manual therapy including soft tissue releases, taping, dry needling as well as providing you with pain relieving exercises. Your physiotherapist may also advise you to source anti-inflammatories during the initial stage and to modify any aggravating activities or positions.

Exercises are a significant part of your treatment plan. Research shows that exercises that are focused on lengthening and strengthening the target muscle groups will not only provide pain relief but also assist with improving your function, repairing the muscle fibers and preventing future problems with the elbow.

The following are examples of exercises which may be used; however, it is recommended that you consult your own physiotherapist for a personalized exercise program that won’t flare up your symptoms but will instead provide healing and pain relief:

1.     Lengthening exercises: light strengthening completed with wrist flexion and extension with a dumbbell or highly resistive theraband

2.     Grip strengthening: squeezing a tennis ball or theraputty

3.     Upper body global strength: biceps, triceps, shoulder press activations with light weights

4.     Light strengthening in wrist pronation à supination with a dumbbell

The above exercises should all be completed in a pain free state. If you are experiencing any pain or discomfort in your elbow or forearm it could be an overuse injury such as tennis elbow and it is recommended to book in to see a physiotherapist for a personalized assessment and treatment plan.