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LATERAL EPICONDYLITIS (Tennis Elbow)

Lateral epicondylitis, also known as tennis elbow, is a common problem among physically active people and, as the name suggests, tennis players in particular. Anyone who performs repetitive movements of the elbow like a carpenter or painter, or who repeatedly moves the wrist forward and backward, such as tennis players on their backhand stroke, is susceptible. Such motions can strain tendons in the arm. Over time, the strain causes inflammation of the muscles and soft tissues around the elbow and can also cause muscles in the arm to become unbalanced.

Ideally, extensor muscles, which pull the wrist up, work with equal force to flexor muscles, which pull the wrist down. But when one group is weaker than the other, problems can develop. With tennis elbow, the extensor muscle group on the outside of the forearm often becomes weak or relatively weaker than the flexor muscles on the inner forearm, leading to a muscle imbalance and ultimately inflammation and pain.

Tennis elbow can also develop in people who have good muscle balance but overuse their wrist extensor muscles. This is commonly referred to as a repetitive strain injury (RSI), and also leads to inflammation. Regardless of the cause, however, this condition responds well to a multi-disciplinary approach consisting of chiropractic care, neuromuscular reeducation (NMR) and physical therapy.

MEDIAL EPICONDYLITIS (Golfer's Elbow, Pitcher's Elbow)

Medial epicondylitis commonly affects golfers, baseball pitchers and almost anyone who overuses his or her wrist or elbow during work or sports. Patients with the condition feel pain in the elbow, on the inside where there's a bony bump. They also commonly have an ache or pain around the inside of their elbow joint and possibly in the surrounding muscles. When they lift their wrist with the palm up, as if they were picking up a table, the pain worsens, and movements that involve flexion or pronation can be unbearable.

Any activity that involves repetitive flexion and pronation, like hammering, golfing, and playing tennis, can lead to medial epicondylitis. During these activities, excessive force on the wrist flexors, which are muscles that connect the wrist to the elbow, can strain the inner part of the elbow joint. The body reacts to this strain with painful inflammation.

If left untreated, the condition can become chronic, so it's important to receive appropriate treatment consisting of chiropractic care, neuromuscular reeducation (NMR) and physical therapy.

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