Absolutely, repetitive stresses from activities like tennis, pickleball, typing and lifting can lead to irritation of the tendons in the elbow. This irritation can result in a condition known as Lateral Epicondylitis, commonly referred to as Tennis Elbow. (or Medial Epicondylitis, often called Golfer's elbow)
While treating the affected tendons are crucial for addressing the immediate pain, examining the underlying biomechanical issues is equally important.
The relationship between the thoracic spine and tennis elbow might not be immediately obvious, but it's rooted in the interconnected nature of our body's musculoskeletal system.
When the thoracic spine is stiff or lacks mobility, the body may try to compensate by overusing other areas to perform certain movements. For instance, if the upper back doesn't rotate well, the arm might be forced to move in an unnatural way during a tennis swing. This can put extra strain on the tendons that attach to the elbow.
What To Do
Mobility Exercises: Follow the thoracic exercise videos on our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@NewPathHealth. Remember to hold the end range for 5-10 seconds.
Soft Tissue Treatment: Smoothing out the tissue of the thoracic and shoulder region can help open up the range of motion.
Adjustments: Joints of the mid back, shoulder and elbow can “lock up”, causing restriction. Chiropractic adjustments can help with the fixation.
Shockwave Therapy: My preferred treatment for tennis elbow. It uses high-energy sound waves to help stimulate the body's natural healing process. Sessions are available at my office :) More info on our site
Dr. Steve Muscari
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