Lateral epicondylitis, more commonly known as tennis elbow, is a condition that causes pain on the outside of the elbow. This condition happens when the tendons that connect the forearm muscles to the elbow become inflamed or irritated. While it’s commonly known as tennis elbow, not just tennis players are affected. In fact, more than 90% of people who develop this condition don’t get it from playing tennis. Up to 3% of the general population can be affected by tennis elbow, including those who do repetitive tasks with their hands, such as gardening, typing or painting.
If you’re struggling with the soreness and tenderness of tennis elbow, you can see improvement through conservative treatments, including dry needling.
Symptoms of tennis elbow
Symptoms of tennis elbow include:
- Pain — Pain on the outside of your affected elbow can be sharp or aching pain. It can get worse when you’re doing activities that involve lifting, twisting or extending your arm.
- Tenderness — Your affected elbow may feel tender to the touch.
- Weakness — You may have a decreased ability to grasp with your full strength. This can make it challenging to do everyday tasks, from holding a coffee cup to turning a doorknob.
- Limited range of motion — You may not be able to fully extend or bend your affected elbow.
- Numbness or tingling — In some cases of tennis elbow, you may experience numbness or tingling in your forearm or hand.
While tennis elbow usually affects your dominant arm, it is possible to also develop it in your nondominant arm.
If you’re experiencing these symptoms, it’s a good idea to rest your arm and consult a health care professional. They can provide you with an accurate diagnosis and determine the best treatment approach for you.
Causes of tennis elbow
Tennis elbow develops when the tendons on the outer part of the elbow get stressed or damaged. Causes behind tennis elbow can include:
- Repetitive motions
- Overuse
- Improper form
- Weak forearm muscles
Making some lifestyle changes and taking certain precautions during activities that can strain your elbow can help you keep tennis elbow at bay. Here are some tips that can help you prevent tennis elbow:
- Use proper form.
- Warm up before doing activities.
- Rest your elbow between repetitive activities.
- Strengthen your forearm muscles.
- Avoid overtaxing your elbow.
Dry needling for tennis elbow
Dry needling is a therapeutic technique used by certified physical therapists or other certified professionals. The physical therapist will manually insert thin, sterile, single-use needles into specific trigger points within the muscles. These trigger points are tight bands or knots that develop in the muscles. Trigger points can cause pain and discomfort and contribute to conditions like tennis elbow.
For tennis elbow, dry needling can be used on the muscles and tendons in the forearm and elbow, which can help:
- Release tension in the muscles
- Reduce inflammation in the affected elbow
- Boost blood flow to the affected area, promoting healing
When the needles are inserted, you may feel a slight prick, followed by a muscle twitch or cramp. This can be a good sign, as it can indicate that the needles have reached a trigger point. The trigger point is then stimulated to release the tension in the muscle. Dry needling may cause you some mild discomfort, but you’ll likely find that the relief the process provides is worth it.
What are the benefits of dry needling for tennis elbow?
Dry needling for tennis elbow offers the following benefits:
- Pain relief — Dry needling targets specific trigger points of the affected forearm and elbow, helping to release tension and reduce pain. You may experience relief from your tennis elbow symptoms after just a few sessions.
- Flexibility and range-of-motion improvement — Tennis elbow can cause stiffness and limited movement in the affected elbow. By helping loosen tight muscles, dry needling can help restore flexibility and increase your range of motion. These improvements can make it easier for you to do daily tasks.
- Inflammation reduction — Dry needling helps increase blood flow, bringing oxygen-and-nutrient-rich blood to the affected area, which is essential to promote healing. It can also help reduce swelling in the muscles and tendons. This can be particularly helpful if you’ve been dealing with long-term inflammation.
- Quick and minimally invasive treatment — A dry needling session can last around 30 minutes, and recovery time is minimal. This means you can return to your daily activities more quickly after a session compared to some other treatment approaches.
- Complement to other therapies — Dry needling can be used in combination with other effective physical therapy treatments, such as therapeutic exercises and manual therapy. This combined approach can help maximize results and provide comprehensive care for your tennis elbow.
As with any treatment, the effectiveness of dry needling can vary from person to person. Some individuals may experience immediate relief, while others may need several sessions to notice a difference. It’s essential to work with a skilled physical therapist who can assess your specific needs and determine if dry needling is the best option for you.
Your journey to relief from the symptoms of tennis elbow can start with dry needling at REPAIR SI
At REPAIR SI, we understand how frustrating dealing with the symptoms of tennis elbow can be. Our team of skilled physical therapists is dedicated to helping you manage your pain and regain function in your elbow. We strive to provide you with compassionate care through a personalized treatment plan using techniques such as dry needling, manual therapy and therapeutic exercises to address your specific needs. With the right treatment plan, we can help you overcome tennis elbow and get back to doing the activities you love.
Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.