Massage therapy is a popular and effective treatment option for many physical ailments, including tennis elbow. Often referred to as “lateral epicondylitis”, tennis elbow is an injury caused by the overuse of muscles in the arm and forearm, resulting in inflammation and pain. This can be a very debilitating condition, making it difficult to perform everyday tasks such as writing or using scissors. Fortunately, massage therapy can help relieve the pain and improve overall function.
What Is Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow is an injury caused by repetitive motion of the arm and forearm muscles. The majority of people who suffer from this condition are between 40-60 years old, though anyone who engages in activities that involve repetitive use of these muscles can develop it. Symptoms include tenderness on the outside of the elbow joint, weak grip strength, and pain when moving the arm or forearm.
How Can Massage Therapy Help Tennis Elbow?
Massage therapy is a safe and effective way to provide relief from tennis elbow symptoms. A massage therapist can apply deep tissue techniques to target areas where tension has built up due to overuse of the arms and forearms. This helps reduce inflammation while simultaneously increasing circulation which helps speed up healing time. In addition to relieving immediate discomfort, massage therapy also helps restore balance in the body by loosening tight muscles that may have contributed to developing tennis elbow in the first place.
Moreover, massage therapy can help improve mobility and flexibility through stretching techniques that help stretch out tight tissues around affected joints. This will not only make daily activities easier but also reduce future chances of developing tennis elbow or other injuries related to poor flexibility or posture. Additionally, massage therapy can help break down scar tissue that has formed due to chronic inflammation associated with tennis elbow. Breaking down this tissue helps promote natural healing processes which will lead to long-term relief from pain and discomfort related to this condition.
Overall, massage therapy is an effective treatment option for those suffering from tennis elbow symptoms such as pain, stiffness, weakness in grip strength, etc.. Not only does it provide immediate relief but it also helps restore balance within your body so you can prevent further injury down the line. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms associated with tennis elbow then consider consulting a massage therapist for some much needed relief!
If you have any questions or would like to explore further, please book a free, no-charge online appointment with either myself, Sam Heslip, RMT, or one of the other registered massage therapists at CARESPACE Health+Wellness in Kitchener and Waterloo. We are happy to listen and are here to help!
