With Wimbledon now well underway, no doubt many of you out there will be suitably inspired to hit the courts and put your own rackets through their paces over the next few weeks and months.
Tennis is a wonderful game to play and a great way to really get yourself in the spirit for summer, but it’s important to use proper technique when playing or you could find yourself succumbing to the dreaded tennis elbow.
The medical name for this condition is lateral epicondylitis, characterised by pain around the outside of the elbow. It often flares up after overuse or through repetitive action of the muscles in the forearm near the elbow joint.
It can be caused by playing tennis, hence the name, but in reality any activity that puts repeated stress on this particular joint can lead to the manifestation of symptoms.
These symptoms include pain on the outside of the elbow, which can travel down the forearm when gripping objects, lifting or bending the arm, or twisting the forearm (such as when opening a jar or turning a door handle).
If you are experiencing pain of this kind, avoid the associated activity until symptoms improve. If, after a couple of days rest your symptoms haven’t improved, it may be worth seeking medical advice.
Seeing a physiotherapist could prove beneficial and they’ll be able to give you exercises to help you keep the arm mobile and strengthen the muscles in your forearm. They’ll also be able to use manual therapy like massage to relieve you of any pain and stiffness you may be experiencing.
If you’re interested in finding out more, get in touch with us today to discuss massage in Maidenhead and the surrounding areas.
