Managing Your Tennis Elbow: Restoring Comfort and Function in Your Arm
When you’re experiencing tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis), everyday activities that you once performed without thinking can suddenly become painful challenges. Simple tasks like turning a doorknob, shaking hands, or lifting a cup of tea may trigger sharp pain on the outside of your elbow.
How Tennis Elbow Might Affect You
Living with tennis elbow can impact your daily life in several ways:
- Initially mild discomfort that gradually intensifies over time
- Sharp, burning pain when pressing on the outer part of your elbow
- Increased pain when lifting objects, especially with your palm facing downward
- Difficulty with activities requiring wrist extension, such as using a screwdriver or pouring from a kettle
- In more advanced cases, even simple elbow movements may become painful
- Reduced grip strength making it challenging to hold items securely
- Sleep disturbances if you accidentally roll onto the affected arm
- Limitations in work, hobbies, or sports that involve repetitive arm movements
Despite its name, you don’t need to play tennis to develop this condition. Any activities involving repetitive wrist extension or gripping can contribute to its development.
Your Personalised Recovery Journey
Dr Paul O’Keefe at North Melbourne specialises in identifying the specific causes of your tennis elbow and developing a treatment plan tailored to your unique situation.
Manual therapy through Osteopathy offers significant benefits by:
- Reducing tightness in the wrist extensor muscles that attach to your elbow
- Improving blood flow to the injured area to promote healing
- Addressing any joint stiffness that may be contributing to your pain
- Restoring proper biomechanics to prevent further strain on the injured tendon
Your treatment may include osteopathic manipulation techniques and a progressive exercise programme specifically designed to strengthen the particular muscles needed to overcome the underlying cause of your tennis elbow.
Dr O’Keefe can determine whether your condition might benefit from complementary approaches such as ice therapy, activity modification, or supportive bracing. For more persistent cases, he can advise when specialist referral might be appropriate.
With proper treatment and attention to prevention strategies, most patients experience significant improvement in their symptoms and a return to pain-free activities. Dr O’Keefe will work alongside you throughout your recovery journey, adjusting your treatment plan as needed to ensure the best possible outcome.
Most private health insurance companies cover Osteopathy for Tennis Elbow. We recommend contacting your medical insurance company to clarify the terms and conditions of your policy.
*Veterans most welcome
For advice regarding Osteopathy for Tennis Elbow call 9329 7077 or
