Further physiotherapeutic measures
Other treatment options in physiotherapy to support tennis elbow in its regeneration are
- Electrotherapy
- Ultrasound therapy
- Tape recorders
- Manual therapy
- Strengthening
Electrotherapy has various effects in the body. By attaching electrodes to the skin, a current flow is created through the body, or the section between the systems. By setting different current intensities and types of current, effects can be determined that have a positive effect on wound healing and reduce pain.
In some cases, the patient is given a small electrical device with stored presettings so that he or she can use the current flow at home. Electrotherapeutic measures are generally perceived as pleasant. It is a passive measure that is only supportive of the healing process and should only be part of the treatment.
Ultrasound therapy also belongs to the passive additional measures. Especially in the area of injured or inflamed tendons – as in the case of tennis elbow – good results have been observed. Ultrasound therapy is a very pleasant measure.
The ultrasound head is covered with ultrasound gel and moved in slow, even circles gliding over the affected area. The ultrasound waves generated in the device are thus transmitted in the body. In the body, the wave rhythm is transmitted to the cells, which adapt and slightly expand and contract in time with the rhythm.
The cell wall becomes more permeable and thus promotes cell metabolism, which optimizes wound healing. Another pleasant and relieving measure for the tennis elbow are taping systems. They can be applied at the end of the session and relieve the arm in everyday life.
Depending on how they are applied, tapes have either a relaxing or activating effect. In the case of tennis elbow, the relaxing and relieving tape is the method of choice. The elastic material allows tapes to be applied under pre-stretching along the affected muscle or chain of muscles.
In the best case, a relieving pain reduction is perceived immediately. By sticking the tape in a stretching position, small wrinkles are formed when returning to the normal posture.The wrinkles in the tape lift the skin slightly in waves. This creates space in the tissue, promotes blood circulation and cell metabolism and provides a pleasant feeling of relief.
The joint movement or function is not restricted. Tapes last about a week and are a good supportive measure for therapy. Manual therapy of tennis elbow includes certain measures and grips from the manual treatment concept, which the therapist performs on the patient with his hands.
These include fascial techniques, stretching and mobilization of the joint. Instead of the locally affected area, the entire muscle chain is treated.
- Fascial techniques are deep strokes with the thumb along the connective tissue sheaths.
An intensive but effective measure. It is only performed up to three times with immediately visible increase in blood flow along the strand. After any initial aggravation, the muscles relax and tissue adhesions loosen, with the aim of relieving the tension on the inflamed or overloaded tendons of the tennis elbow.
- Stretching is only performed after the inflammation has subsided, so as not to irritate the tendons even more.
The focus is always on the pain. Stretches for the forearm are easy to perform alone, whether actively or passively with the help of the other hand.
- Joint mobilizations, as well as movement of the entire arm, are carried out by the therapist with certain grips and patterns.
In the later course of treatment of tennis elbow, strengthening is on the program. Once pain and inflammation have subsided, the muscles in the arm should be rebuilt and strengthened to such an extent that a recurrence of overstrain is avoided.
In order to strengthen the entire muscle chain adapted to everyday movements, there is the so-called PNF concept, in which the arm is first passively moved through by the therapist in certain three-dimensional patterns and later guided by set resistances. In addition, classical strengthening exercises can be performed using a Theraband or soft balls, which the patient can also simply do at home. Another possibility to heal tennis elbow are relaxing massages of the overstrained musculature, so-called transverse friction, which stimulate the healing of the tendons. Furthermore, heat and cold applications are also very suitable as supporting measures.
