If you play tennis, you’re probably on guard for the all-too-common injury of tennis elbow. However, it’s possible that your arm pain is the result of tennis elbow even if you’ve never picked up a racket in your life! Known as lateral epicondylitis, tennis elbow is a condition that causes pain due to tendon overload. The big thing to know about tennis elbow is that it is typically caused by some type of repetitive motion. While the offending repetitive motion can be swinging a tennis racket, it can also be something like typing on a keyboard, assembling products in an assembly line, scanning items at a cash register, painting, screwing parts together, or picking fruits and vegetables.
How Do I Know If I Have Tennis Elbow?
The telltale sign that you’ve developed tennis elbow is a pain that occurs right where your forearm tendons attach to the “bump” of your elbow. However, the pain can also slice right down your forearm to your wrist. Tennis elbow can also decrease your arm and hand function in subtle ways. Many people realize that something is wrong after noticing that they are struggling to hold a cup of coffee. You may also find that it’s hard to get a grip to turn a doorknob. These experiences can be scary because they can almost mimic neurological deterioration.
Many people confuse tennis elbow with golfer’s elbow. While the two conditions share some similarities, they are actually two separate conditions impacting two separate areas of the arm. The distinguishing factor of tennis elbow is that the pain is felt on the outside of the arm. With golfer’s elbow, the pain is felt on the interior area of the arm. Making matters a little more confusing is the fact that it is possible to experience tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow at the same time! While rare, parallel cases can be common among actual golfers and tennis players. We also see this quite a bit in plumbers, construction workers and other professionals who do extensive work with their hands.
How Do You Treat Tennis Elbow?
Rest is the immediate treatment for tennis elbow. However, it may not be enough for prolonged healing. Waiting out tennis elbow isn’t necessarily realistic for someone who relies on the use of their arms and hands to make a living. The anticipated duration for a case of tennis elbow that is left to heal on its own is anywhere from six months to two years. This is why so many people are finding success with shockwave therapy for tennis elbow after seeking this cutting-edge, non-invasive treatment. In a 2018 study, shockwave therapy was found to reduce the severity of pain and improve daily activity for patients who were newly diagnosed with tennis elbow. In another study looking at the efficacy of shockwave therapy for tennis elbow, researchers concluded that this treatment can be a useful noninvasive treatment method that reduces the necessity for surgical procedures.
Book an Appointment for Shockwave Therapy in Denver, Colorado
At Denver Chiropractic, Dr. Trent Artichoker and his team are proud to be offering the cutting-edge, non-invasive treatment option of shockwave therapy using the Class-3 Dolorclast® Shockwave device. Built in Switzerland, this machine is regarded as the best shockwave device by many. Denver Chiropractic is currently the only practice in Denver offering access to the Dolorclast®. If you’re ready to explore a non-invasive option for treating tennis elbow that may help you to avoid things like invasive surgery or long recovery, Dr. Artichoker can help you develop a personalized plan for healing your inflamed tissue. In addition to helping patients heal from car accidents and chronic injuries, Dr. Artichoker also devotes much of his time to helping professional athletes prevent and overcome common sports injuries like tennis elbow. To learn more about shockwave therapy for tennis elbow, please call Denver Chiropractic today to book an appointment!