Are you suffering from extreme pain in your forearm? Is it so bad that it gets in the way of you going about your daily activities, from working to driving to sleeping through the night? If so, you may have lateral epicondylitis. More commonly known as “tennis elbow,” lateral epicondylitis is an extremely painful condition caused by an inflammation of the tendon of the outer part of the elbow.
Don’t think you’re safe from tennis elbow just because you don’t play tennis—anyone can get it. The condition is caused by repetitive strain put on the muscle of the forearm. Tennis players are at risk because of the motion they make swinging a racket, but you can also have the same problem from swinging a hammer, a golf club, or a cleaver. Musicians who use a bow, plumbers tightening pipes with a wrench, or dentists with their arm up working on teeth all day can all develop tennis elbow.
Signs and Symptoms of Tennis Elbow
Someone with tennis elbow will notice that when they make that repetitive movement with their arm, the forearm begins to hurt. The pain may start off as mild but can quickly become severe. It may also hurt when you attempt to grip something, make a fist, pick something up, or type on the computer. It can be hard to straighten your arm or wrist and may be difficult to raise your arm.
Treatments for Tennis Elbow
Unfortunately, there isn’t a lot your doctor can do for this condition. Usually, you’ll be sent home with pain medication or anti-inflammatory medication, and your doctor will recommend you use ice packs and/or heating pads and ride it out. Sometimes physical therapy can help.
For many people, tennis elbow lasts from about six months to two years. That’s a long time to be out of commission, especially if you need to use that arm for work. If you don’t take the time to heal properly, however, the condition can get even more severe and may require surgery.
Other people prefer a natural, drug-free, non-invasive treatment to help recover from tennis elbow. Chiropractic care has been known to accelerate the healing time for many sufferers.
How We Treat Tennis Elbow
Dr. Alex Bello of Los Angeles Upper Cervical is an upper cervical specialist. The upper cervical spine is the most vulnerable part of the spine and is prone to become misaligned. This usually results in a domino effect on the entire musculoskeletal system and can put strain on muscles, joints, and tendons throughout the body, putting people at risk for developing conditions like tennis elbow.
Dr. Bello is a practitioner of the Blair Chiropractic Technique. Doctors trained in this technique use state-of-the-art 3D diagnostic imaging scans to better examine and assess your unique anatomy. This makes for more precision in making adjustments, allowing the doctor to use a lighter, more gentle touch to coax your spine back into proper alignment.
Once the spine is aligned, the rest of the musculoskeletal system follows suit. The undue stress on various muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, and bones is relieved. The central nervous system can function optimally, allowing the body’s natural healing mechanisms to kick into gear. This helps facilitate quicker healing with conditions such as tennis elbow.
Don’t sit out on the sidelines for years with tennis elbow. Contact Dr. Bello for a consultation to see how he can help put you on the road to recovery. Dr. Bello’s area of coverage includes Brentwood, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Westwood, Culver City, Marina Del Rey, West Los Angeles, and the surrounding areas.