What Is Tennis Elbow and the Benefits of Massage
Tennis elbow is different than Golfers elbow, both are manifestations of epicondylitis which are painful. They both start from repetitive motion and can have flare ups if not treated properly. This injury needs adequate rest to heal which can be a challenge if it stemmed from work (hammering, painters, plumbers, butchers, repetitive computer mouse use, and carpentry).
Tennis Elbow is overuse and strain of the forearm muscles that are used to straighten and raise the hand and wrist. There are tiny tears that form in the tendons that attach the forearm muscles to the bony prominence on the outer side of the elbow. Tennis elbow is triggered by the tendons in the forearm that perform extension of the wrist and fingers.
Symptoms of Tennis Elbow
Pain may radiate from the outer side of the elbow into the forearm and wrist. The pain and weakness make it difficult to rotate the forearm for uses such as turning a door knob, tools, gripping objects, shaking hands, holding a cup.
Benefits of Massage for Tennis Elbow
Work focused on the elbow, wrist and forearms can:
- Remove toxin buildup and other elements that contribute to inflammation and flare ups
- Improve flexibility with affected muscles and tendons
- Improve active range of motion, strength, and recovery
"Thank you, thank you, thank you so much for all that you have done to help me get better. What I admire the most is that you have a kind, caring, outstanding staff that not only listens to what is going on with us but goes the extra mile to help each of us achieve our goals. Danny and Alika never, never, never gave up on me and helped me reclaim my life. I love all of you dearly."
− C. Marez
"Last Sunday I played full court basketball for the first time in 15 years. I will qualify the contest by saying it happened on a court just out of the back door of an elder care center. The teams consisted of a 7 year old, an d8 year old, a young woman in flip-flops (I played in sandals), a woman who proudly stated she was 55 years old (I retorted with my age of 65), and a couple of other young guys that really played well. I ran the court, I played defense, blocked shots, made shots (missed a lot), got lots of rebounds, and talked a lot of smack while playing with a group of people a lot younger than me. I even made a behind the back-twisting fall-away shot, then fell and tumbled on the court. I jumped up and continued to play, and we played for about 45 minutes.
I attribute my ability to play this game that I love so much again to the excellent training receive from Kristy who is a trainer at A2 Physical Therapy. I have worked out and trained since I was very young. I played high school basketball, baseball, and I ran track. I spent 20 years in the Army with all the training requirements associated with that occupation. I played on community and city leagues, and I have trained with weights for many years. The training program Kristy has devised for me at A2 is rigorous, thorough, diverse, fun, challenging, and focused. She prepares workout plans that are age and fitness level appropriate. My work out now is so much different then it was when I first started. She both trains me individually and as a couple. I run, jump, stretch, lift, balance, squat, push, pull, and every other movement you can imagine. I look forward to going to my workout every time. Kristy is completely in charge of every workout. I am retired, and my training at A2 allows me to fill the need to accomplish something positive every day I work out. I am doing physical activity with ease that I would not have thought I would be able be able to accomplish at the age of 65 such as hiking on Mt Rainer and running 4 days per week. Kristy and A2 have really changed my life…"
− William
"Dear Alika- I want to tell you how great A2 has been in helping me to succeed in getting better after my stroke. Your staff is not only knowledgeable but funny at the same time. They don’t make physical therapy seem tough; but they make it fun by teaching us the right way to stand, asking us how we are and encouraging us to reach our goals. My goal has always been to get back to “normal.” I appreciate all of your staff immensely. They are all great. You always have my recommendation for where to go for P.T."
− Crestina