Manual therapy: lateral sliding:
Lateral gliding is a technique from manual therapy, in which the physiotherapist, with the upper arm fixed, allows the forearm to glide carefully outwards against the humerus. In the meantime, the patient opens and closes his fist several times. This technique should be used if the patient responds positively to a trial treatment.The physiotherapeutic measures in the further course of treatment in the build-up and functional phase serve the rehabilitation.
After the inflammatory process has subsided, the musculature must be prepared for its normal daily stress at work and in leisure time. In the long run, the best results are achieved with so-called isotonic eccentric exercises (isotonic eccentric muscle work means that the muscle brakes a weight in its falling movement) for the wrist area. Exercise example Strengthening forearm extensor muscles: A dumbbell is slowly lowered over the edge of a table, the weight is brought back up with the healthy arm so that the affected muscles do not have to work concentrically (this means building up strength against gravity for the muscles).
Exercise example Strengthening arm muscles: The arm is lifted with the healthy arm from the bottom inside to the top outside and slowly lowered back to the starting position. Poor posture, especially over long periods of time, e.g. when working at a desk, has a negative effect on the development of epicondylitis radialis humeri (tennis elbow). In the long run, a hunched back posture and a resulting forward shoulder position cause a painful muscle chain from the shoulders to the arm, certain muscle groups are shortened and the position of the head of the shoulder joint in the joint and the shoulder blades changes.
The physiotherapist uses perception training to make the patient aware of his or her incorrect posture and shows simple exercises to improve posture. In parallel, stretching exercises are performed for the shortened muscle groups in the upper body and shoulder area and strengthening exercises are performed mainly for the back shoulder and back muscles and deep abdominal muscles. A Theraband is stretched from an upright position behind the back.
Many of these exercises can be taught in such a way that they can be easily integrated in everyday life and at work. Again, the therapist gives precise instructions on how to perform the exercise program. Remember: think about the posture 200 times a day!
Here you will find information about expander trainingIn the rehabilitation phase, sports physiotherapy can be started mainly as prophylaxis (prevention of recurrence of the disease = recurrence of the disease). The focus is on checking and correcting the technique (tennis, possibly golf for golfer’s elbow), slow training build-up, consistent warm-up, stretching exercises and possibly advice regarding a change of material. Example: For a tennis serve, about 50% of the strength is required from the leg and trunk muscles, but only about 25% from the arm and hand. If the coordinative sequence of this muscle chain is not correct, the elbows and wrist are quickly overloaded and the development of tennis elbow is favored.
