Lateral Elbow

Tennis elbow is often linked to repeated motions of the wrist and arm. Despite its name, most people who get tennis elbow don't play tennis. Some people have jobs that involve repeated movements that can lead to tennis elbow. These include plumbers, painters, carpenters and butchers.

Common symptoms of tennis elbow include:

• sharp pain directly on the outside of the elbow during activity or at rest
   
• pain when lifting your wrist upward with resistance and a weak grip.
  
• often very tender on the outside of the elbow with pressure. 

Usually normal everyday activities such as opening a door, shaking hands,  picking up your coffee cup, typing and using a mouse or wringing out a towel may be painful and unmanageable. Over time, these symptoms can worsen.

To manage physically, use manual therapy:

- Self Triggers to relieve forearm tightness. Use a Pocket Physio

- Flexibility for forearm extensors and flexors

- Strengthening of grip with Pocket Physio squeeze

- Strengthening elbow flexors and extensor muscles with a Pocket Physio Twist

- Ice and brace to manage pain

Generally, it can take 6-18 months for tennis elbow to settle down as there are many variables to consider. 

This timeline is influenced by severity of pathology ie tendinopathy, how long you have had the issue for, your ability to avoid aggravating your tendon and your ability to follow the prescribed program.

If severe, your pain can also be assisted by medications, interventions such as steroid injections or PRP.