Westernport osteopathy
Elbow pain/ Golfers and Tennis elbow
What are the common types of elbow pain that you can experience?
In our daily lives, we use our elbows for various tasks, often without even realizing it. From simple actions like bending our arms to more complex movements such as lifting, carrying, and reaching, our elbows play a crucial role in our everyday activities. Whether it’s typing on a keyboard, cooking a meal, or playing sports, the flexibility and strength of our elbows enable us to perform a wide range of tasks with ease and efficiency. However, this frequent use can also put strain on the elbow joint and surrounding muscles, leading to discomfort or pain.
Elbow pain can occur for various reasons, and different types of elbow pain may indicate different underlying conditions.
Here are some common types of elbow pain
Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis): Tennis elbow is a condition characterised by pain and tenderness on the outer side of the elbow. It typically occurs due to overuse of the forearm muscles, often from repetitive motions such as gripping, lifting, or swinging a racket in sports like tennis or golf.
Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis): Golfer’s elbow causes pain and tenderness on the inner side of the elbow. Like tennis elbow, it results from overuse of the forearm muscles, particularly those involved in gripping and wrist flexion. Activities such as golfing, gardening, or repetitive gripping motions can contribute to this condition.
Olecranon Bursitis: Olecranon bursitis is inflammation of the bursa, a fluid-filled sac located at the tip of the elbow. It causes swelling, tenderness, and pain at the back of the elbow. Olecranon bursitis can result from trauma, prolonged pressure on the elbow, or underlying medical conditions such as arthritis or infection.
Elbow Sprain or Strain: Sprains and strains occur when the ligaments or muscles around the elbow are stretched or torn. This can happen due to sudden trauma, overexertion, or repetitive stress. Symptoms may include pain, swelling, bruising, and limited range of motion
Radial Tunnel Syndrome: Radial tunnel syndrome is a condition where the radial nerve is compressed or irritated as it passes through the forearm, causing pain and discomfort along the outer aspect of the elbow and forearm.
Ulnar Nerve Entrapment (Cubital Tunnel Syndrome): Cubital tunnel syndrome occurs when the ulnar nerve is compressed or irritated as it passes through the cubital tunnel, located on the inner side of the elbow. Symptoms may include pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness in the hand and fingers.
How can Osteopathy help with elbow pain?
Osteopathy can effectively alleviate elbow pain through hands-on techniques like osteopathic manipulative therapy (OMT), which target muscle tension, joint mobility, and overall alignment. By addressing the root causes of pain, osteopaths restore balance to the musculoskeletal system, improve posture, and offer lifestyle advice for long-term relief. This holistic approach empowers patients to manage pain actively and prevent future injury, promoting natural healing and optimal elbow function.
You may be surprised to learn that one area of tension is actually causing you pain in other areas, due to the way they are connected. For example, that tension headache you always get around 3pm may actually be due to your tight shoulder muscles, rather than your neck or eyestrain. When we look at the body as a system, we can swiftly identify the true cause and get to work on correcting it through osteopathic treatment methods like manual therapy alone, or with a mixed combination that includes dry needling, cupping and kinesiology taping.
