What is Tennis Elbow?
PhysioNet Bristol’s member Toll House Clinic , a Bristol based Physiotherapy Clinic, help us to understand what Tennis Elbow is and what treatments are suitable for treating it. Julie from Toll House provides us with some further information about treatments available both with and without a Physio.
Tennis elbow (or lateral epicondylitis) is a common problem and is characterised by pain felt on the outside of the elbow. This is often due to inflammation of the tendons in this area and can be due to over-use.
What can I do to help ease Tennis Elbow?
- The use of ICE on the painful area will help with pain relief and help reduce inflammation.
- Seek the advice of a chartered physiotherapist who will undertake physical treatment and give you exercises that will help resolve your problem and prevent its further recurrence.
- Acupuncture is also an option that our fully trained physiotherapists can carry out as part of their treatment.
- Try a tennis elbow clasp, this helps to alleviate the pull on the tendons that are inflamed.
- Remember the longer you delay treatment the longer it will take to resolve.
- As a last resort your GP may suggest that you have a steroid injection into the elbow, these can also be carried out by Physiotherapist.
- You may consider using ibuprofen which is an anti-inflammatory as long as you do not have any gastric problems or are asthmastic as anti-inflammatories can aggravate these conditions.