Tennis elbow—also known as lateral epicondylitis—occurs when the tendons connecting the elbow and forearm tear and become inflamed. It causes pain in the elbow, forearm, and wrist, and can make it challenging to perform simple tasks such as lifting and grabbing objects. While tennis elbow is a common sports injury, it can also be caused by activities that involve repetitive arm motions, including carpentry, painting, and construction work. Physical therapy, a practice that involves a series of manual techniques designed to improve mobility, is the best way to treat this condition. Below are the reasons why.

4 Ways Physical Therapy Benefits Tennis Elbow  

1. Improves Forearm Muscle Strength

Tennis elbow is caused when excessive stress is put on your forearm muscles as a result of overuse. This creates small tears in your tendons, which leads to pain and muscle weakness. Physical therapy is the ideal treatment for this condition because its movements are designed to stretch and strengthen these muscles, encouraging healing and reducing the possibility of repeated injuries.

2. Boosts Blood Flow

Physical therapy exercises can also improve blood flow to the tendons, which do not receive as much oxygen-rich blood as muscles do. This increase in blood flow can help decrease inflammation and reduce stiffness, as well as promote healing and minimize pain.

3. Relieves Pain

In addition to guiding you through exercises that stimulate muscles and increase blood flow, a physical therapist can provide other forms of pain relief for tennis elbow. These can include inflammation-reducing massage with ice or oils, and the use of braces or straps to provide your elbow with support. Your physical therapist will also show you pain-relieving techniques you can perform at home—from self-massages with lotion to stretches—and teach you how to put less strain on your forearm when performing repetitive activities.

4. Uncovers the Root Cause

Symptoms of tennis elbow are not always the result of arm issues. Sometimes, an injury or pinched nerve in the neck will transmit pain down to the elbow, mimicking tennis elbow pain. Because physical therapy takes a holistic approach, this will be uncovered if it’s the case, and you’ll receive treatment designed to treat the root cause of your pain.

Don’t let tennis elbow stop you from performing the activities you enjoy. The experts at Step By Step Physical Therapy in Warsaw, NY, can create an individualized treatment plan to heal your injury and reduce your pain, whether you’re suffering from a sports injury, neck pain, upper back pain, or tennis elbow. Visit their Facebook page to read reviews and call (585) 786-8700 to schedule an appointment today.