Physical Therapy and Laser Therapy for Tennis and Golfer’s Elbow
June 17, 2010
You don’t have to be a frequent golfer or tennis player to experience the aches and pains associated with tennis and golfer’s elbow. In fact, any strenuous activity that involves the tendons on the elbow can lead to these painful syndromes.
So what exactly is tennis and golfer’s elbow? While these injuries may occur at the elbow, the tendons involved are different: tennis elbow is caused by the degeneration of the tendon that attaches the bone on the outside of the elbow, while golfer’s elbow affects the tendons on the inside of the elbow. Sufferers of tennis and golfer’s elbow often experience significant pain directly on the elbow during heavy exercise and lifting; in fact, even typing or opening a door can cause a great deal of discomfort. Both injuries are equally painful, and require physical therapy in order to treat it.
In addition to physical therapy, laser therapy has become an increasingly popular method of reducing and eliminating tennis and golfer’s elbow. Studies have shown that laser therapy can lessen elbow pain and discomfort, allowing sufferers to resume physical activity again. Laser therapy can also reduce inflammation and increase movement within the affected tendon, which gives sufferers some much-needed relief from elbow aches and pains.
For long-term benefits and solutions, experts still regard physical therapy as the best option for tennis and golfer’s elbow. Physical therapy for the affected elbow tendon will involve a range of wrist stretching and gentle motion exercises, which will keep the tendons from atrophying. In fact, muscular atrophy can actually heighten the pain and discomfort of tennis and golfer’s elbow, which is why experts recommend physical therapy over simply ceasing to use the affected area.
When undergoing laser and/or physical therapy, health experts also recommend the following tips to get the most out of your sessions:
- Ice the affected area after your physical therapy session. This reduces painful swelling and will help your tendons to heal faster.
- If you’re in pain from a session, it’s fine to take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication and aspirin. Just be sure to check with your doctor before taking any pain medication.
- Keeping the affected area in a brace will help to support and protect the tendon; however, make sure that the brace isn’t wrapped too tightly, as this can cut off blood flow to the elbow.
When considering treatment for tennis and/or golfer’s elbow, our physical therapy clinics in Bayonne and Scotch Plains NJ come highly recommended by numerous physicians in Hudson and Union Counties. Feel free to contact us for a Free, In-Office Evaluation. If you are looking for faster service, give us a call at one of our two New Jersey locations. For our Bayonne, NJ location, call 201-339-889, and for our Scotch Plains, NJ location, call us at 908-490-1800. Just tell them that you read this article and you will receive our complimentary in-office evaluation (a $145 value).
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