Page 26 - April 2016 Life In Naples Magazine

HEALTH & FITNESS
NOT ALL “TENNIS ELBOW”
PATIENTS PLAY TENNIS
by Paula Allia T ennis elbow is a term given as a diagnosis for a
PT, DHSc, MTC, OCS common painful elbow condition. This condition
affects gripping, lifting and even the turning of the
“The key to wrist. Some tennis players develop tennis elbow but
a diagnosis not all diagnosed actually play tennis.
like tennis
elbow is to A person diagnosed with tennis elbow usually has pain at
find the cause the outer protuberance (lateral epicondyle) of the elbow. This
is where the muscles collectively attach into, commonly called
of why you the common extensor tendon. The interesting thing is that
are getting the pain typically occurs with bending the wrist backwards
symptoms and (extension) and gripping and using the first three digits
try and fix the together of the hand.
”cause. The most common muscle involved is the extensor carpi
radialis brevis which attaches to the base of the third metacarpal keep performing but with subpar input.
Fitness Together bone which is the bone that runs from your wrist up to your
335 14th Ave South finger. The radialis longus attaches to the second metacarpal
Naples, FL 34102 near the finger. These muscles run up into the common
239.263.9348 extensor tendon where palpation of the lateral bony area at the
attachment is usually tender to palpation and this tenderness
FitnessTogether.com/Naples can extend down into the proximal musculature itself.
In addition to tenderness upon palpation and use, I find,
many times that there is some tightness into the forearm in
the radial nerve distribution. The radial nerve is the nerve that
innervates these muscles and the input from this nerve keeps
the muscles ready to fire.This nerve originates from the brachial
plexus up in the axillary area of the arm and runs down as far
as into the thumb. It makes sense that if there is tightness
along the route of the nerve that the nerve can become slightly
bound in the tight muscle, limited its flexibility. There are
other diagnoses that can be labeled in this area but many times
tennis elbow is the diagnosis given.
Thorough investigation is key to properly addressing this
issue. The evaluation should include range of motion and
muscle testing but in addition, include neural tension testing.
This testing can reveal if there is any decreased flexibility in
the nerve. It is important to have the three major nerves into
the arm tested with neural tension (the median, radial and
ulnar nerves).
When there is a tendonitis in the involved musculature, the
pull on the bone repetitively can irritate at the insertion of the
muscles. The muscle itself can actually experience discomfort
if this problem is not taken care of promptly.
Imagine this group of muscles that aid us each and every
day in basic activities of daily living to gripping, lifting, and
pushing things. There are certain positions the wrist and
fingers are in for different grips and grasps. Thus, the muscle
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strength is important and the endurance
of these muscles is important for the
activities that you use your wrist in.
Neural tension is checked all the
way up into the neck at the nerve routes
associated with these muscles. Postural
deviations can also affect the flexibility
and limitations of these muscles and
nerves (and even the arteries and veins).
If there is tightness and limitations in
the nerve you can imagine that you are
trying to get constant nerve input to
working muscles but the nerve impulses
may be compromised. The muscles
This, over time and the combination
of repetitive uses and possible poor
positioning can cause swelling and
activities can be debilitating.
The key to a diagnosis like tennis elbow
is to find the cause of why you are getting
symptoms and try and fix the cause. It
can be as simple as posturing properly,
stretching and then strengthening the
muscles, or fine tuning may be needed to
slowly floss the nerve in the muscles so
that the input to these muscles is at the
top of its game.
You do not have to be reactive and
wait until your have pain and limitations
in your body. It is smarter to be proactive
and if there is tightness and limitation
you can improve the flexibilities of
these tissues with the hope of never
experiencing symptoms. Prepare yourself
for the activities that you participate in.
Be smart, stay healthy, use good
techniques; to your health!
Life in Naples | April 2016