So what is tennis elbow.
Tennis elbow is a repetitive strain injury (RSI) and is a blanket term for a range of physical conditions caused by damage to muscles, tendons, joints and ligaments. It can effect the hands, arms, neck, legs and shoulders and symptoms include pain, stiffness, pins and needles, swelling, numbness and loss of manual dexterity.
Some of the conditions caused by RSI include: tenosynovitis (inflammation of the synovial sheaths, usually of the hands and wrists) tendonitis (inflammation and thickening of the tendons) epicondylitis (tennis elbow) and carpal tunnel syndrome (where repeated bending of the wrist causes fluid and tissue to press on the median nerve).
Causes.
There are three main causes of RSI:
Static posture commonly occurs through sitting for long periods at computer workstations, supermarket checkouts and conveyer belts, keeping muscles in a fixed and tensed position so that circulation is decreased and muscle fatigue ensues. Constricted blood vessels, immobile joints and compressed nerves can all lead to tension in the neck and shoulders as well as inflammation and nerve pain.
Repetitive movements such as those made by computer users can cause local injuries such as tennis elbow; rapid keystroking and hand /wrist stretches put an enormous strain on arms and hands and combined with poor workstation design and too few breaks, can cause RSI. Stress exacerbates symptoms, as the body reacts by sending chemical messages from the brain which increase muscle tension, backaches and disrupt the body.
Treatment.
Experts agree that the best form of treatment is prevention. However when symptoms occur they should not be ignored because once established RSI is a notoriously difficult condition to treat and can last for years. The first thing that would be recommended is rest from the task that is causing the injury.
Orthodox treatment usually involves the use of analgesics and anti inflammatory drugs are widely prescribed for pain relief, and sometimes anti depressants to act as a muscle relaxant, injections of soluble steroid and local anesthetic are also used. Surgery is often used in extreme cases to patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Physiotherapy is also a treatment commonly used.
At Acu-Care Naturopathics, I regularly treat RSI and providing you can avoid the repetitive movements that have caused your condition acupuncture is a very effective option.
Regardless of your medically diagnosed condition natural medicine has something to offer either as a stand alone treatment or as a complementary treatment along side orthodox treatment.
The Acu-Care Naturopathic clinic is suitably located for many of Perth’s suburbs and is particularly handy for; Belmont, south perth, vic park, lathlain, Carlisle, kewdale, rivervale, redcliffe, Burswood and cloverdale.
To find out more about acupuncture call 9478-1415 or better still make an appointment today.
Best of health
Paul Neilson