Arm and elbow pain can have a negative impact on your health and your overall quality of life. Many clients come to us after other traditional elbow injury treatments have failed. Whether you have tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, or generalized elbow pain, Jenna Howe can perform osteopathy to alleviate your pain and discomfort. Best of all, this holistic treatment can be successful without the use of drugs or surgery. Read on to find out how this natural alternative to traditional procedures can change your life for the better.
What causes Tennis Elbow?
Most people only think of actually playing tennis as the main cause of tennis elbow. However, in reality, the injury can be caused from:
- any racket sport
- golf
- any job or hobby that is repetitive and one sided (carpenters, electricians, knitters, etc)
- excessive cellphone use (bent arm holding the phone)
Tennis elbow is clinically called Lateral Epicondylitis as it is the pain associated is on the outside of the lateral epicondyle (elbow). The pain usually comes secondary to:
- Overuse
- Muscle fatigue
- Muscle weakness
- Poor vascular circulation
- Blocked lymphatic flow (you have lymph nodes in the crease of your elbow that if not flowing optimally, can increase the incidence of pain)
When one of these elements is compromised, it can result in elbow pain or tendinosis.
Diagnosing the Cause of Your Elbow Pain
In order to properly treat your elbow pain, we must first determine what has caused it in the first place.
During your initial consultation with Jenna, she will perform a full assessment of the shoulder, elbow, and wrist using a variety of movements and musculoskeletal tests. She will evaluate your neck and posture to ensure that it is not problematic to your condition.
She will also discuss your medical history and lifestyle habits with you at length. For example, it is important to know what type of job you have because hard labor can sometimes contribute to injuries of this type.
Next, Jenna will also ask you what (if any) sports you play. This is extremely important, as certain athletic activities such as tennis, weight lifting, golf, and numerous other activities often require repetitive movement and can therefore become a risk factor for elbow injuries.
Osteopathic Treatment for Elbow Pain
Jenna understands that every individual she sees has his or her own unique set of needs. Therefore, no two patients will be treated exactly the same. Taking your distinctive needs into account, she will design a treatment plan for your specific goals in mind.
Osteopathic treatment involves the manipulation of bones, joints, and muscles. This is usually achieved through specialized soft tissue release, joint mobilization, or stretches however Jenna also customizes your treatment plan by utilizing specialized assessments to determine the overall dysfunctional movement patterns involved.
These assessments and treatments encourage the healing process by increasing functional movement, blood, and lymphatic flow within the joint and in turn, alleviate the pain and discomfort associated with these injuries. The primary goal of osteopathic care is to enhance the body’s own natural healing mechanism. Jenna can also recommend corrective exercises for you to practice at home to help maintain your progress.
Schedule Your Tennis Elbow Treatment in Victoria BC
Elbow pain can keep you from the active lifestyle you enjoy. If traditional tennis elbow treatments aren’t working, you don’t have to live with the pain. Book an appointment with Jenna at our Victoria, BC clinic. Osteopathy is a holistic and effective way to address musculoskeletal issues.
