Both tennis elbow and golfers elbow can be painful and uncomfortable. Most sufferers live with the pain as It can be hard to identify what type of injury you have. Contrary to the name you don’t actually have to be a sports enthusiast to have either condition as they can occur from consistent and repetitive use of the arm, hand or wrist. It is often that active working individuals suffer from these conditions and overlook diagnoses, However, it is important to know the difference between golfers elbow and tennis elbow as both require specific treatment.
What is golfers elbow?
The formal term for golfers elbow is medial epicondylitis, this is due to the bony lump on the inside of the elbow called the medial epicondyle. This condition is due to tiny tears and degenerative changes within the flexor muscle located in the forearm, Trauma to the elbow or excessive improper active use can cause golfers elbow and symptoms can start with a weak hand grip, pain while lifting objects and during activities such as writing and typing.
What is tennis elbow?
The bony lump on the outside of your elbow is called the lateral epicondyle and with overactive use symptoms of lateral epicondylitis can start on the outside of the arm and the area surrounding the elbow, this happens because the tendons and tissue surrounding the lateral epicondyle become inflamed, pain can develop on your forearm and wrist and many describe the pain as a dull ache and can be noticed when doing motions such as reaching and grasping.
We always recommend that you see a doctor or a physiotherapist to successfully diagnose your condition if you are experiencing similar symptoms that are mentioned above
How to effectively maintain pain relief
Both conditions are forms of epicondylitis and ultimately rest is the best cure for epicondylitis conditions, you can take mild pain relievers such as ibuprofen for quick short term relief. Although there are some effective methods that can ease the pain. We recommend a consultation with a physiotherapist, our therapists at Central Chiropractic Clinic can provide a variety of treatments, understand your conditions and can teach you stretches and massages that can ease with long term pain relief – our consultations and therapy sessions start from £30.
Patients usually recover within six months to one year, however, there are patients that often experience pain that can last up to two years caused by repetitive strain to the elbow. These are referred to as chronic conditions. In our chiropractic clinic in Coventry, we have a variety of treatments that can ease and cure long term pain these are linked below.
Shock wave therapy
Physiotherapy
K– laser (LLLT) therapy
Our chiropractors and physiotherapist are highly trained professionals that can treat a multitude of conditions, Our procedures are pain-free and can ease you on your way to recovery, We also have videos accessible on our website to help you understand the treatments we provide, click here to find out more.