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Elbow Pain Hand Pain Physiotherapy

The most common issues and complaints of elbow pain are golfer’s elbow and tennis elbow.

Both of these conditions are grouped into the repetitive strain (RSI) group, and some quick info on them below:

Golfer's elbow Golfer's Elbow (medial epicondylitis) refers to inflamed and painful common flexor tendon origin of the inside part of their elbow. This can be diagnosed by testing a few things: pain / tenderness at the inside part of the elbow with pressure and touch pain / tenderness at the inside part of the elbow with gripping or carrying a load eg briefcase The pain is often felt when carrying out everyday action, especially when gripping is involved and something like turning a door handle can cause intense pain.

tennis elbow Tennis Elbow (lateral epicondylitis) refrs to inflamed and painful common extensor original of the forearm extensors. This can be diagnosed by testing a few things: pain / tenderness at the outer part of the elbow with pressure and touch pain / tenderness at the outer part of the elbow with gripping or carrying a load eg briefcase There is tenderness and/or pain when the Lateral Epicondyle (outermost part of the elbow) is pressed or pressured, and also if the elbow is straightened and the hand is moved forward and back at the wrist.

Related elbow pain: Pitcher's Elbow

what hand physiotherapy can do for your elbow pain

Early/Acute Phase

During the early phase of tennis/golfer's elbow, there is very fresh and sharp pain and inflammation, so hand physiotherapy will focus on:

• ultrasound therapy to decrease inflammation and pain
  
• cold therapy to decrease inflammation and pain
• gentle protected mobilization to increase range, increase glide without pain
• maybe prescribe a customized tennis/golfer's elbow splint
  

Post-acute Hand Therapy

• continue ultrasound therapy to accelerate soft tissue (tendon) healing
• consider introducing radio-frequency Indiba physiotherapy
  
• friction massage to restart healing process (especially for chronic/long term golfer's elbow)
• range of motion exercises
• progressive resisted/strengthening exercises will be introduced as evidence and literature has demonstrated that it’s the best long term approach to managing elbow problems.
• deep tissue massage to decrease tightness of over-compensating muscles

other painful elbow conditions

• Olecranon Bursitis: Miner's Elbow, Student's Elbow And Anyone Who Uses A Table Frequently