Tennis elbow, also called "tennis elbow" or "epicondylitis humeroradialis," is a painful overuse injury that affects the outside elbow joint. Interestingly, tennis elbow does not only occur in tennis players, but also in people who repeatedly use their forearm muscles. The main cause of tennis elbow is overuse of the tendons that connect the forearm muscles (extensors) on the outside of the elbow to the humerus.
The exact cause of tennis elbow can be explained as follows:
Repetitive movements: Frequent, repetitive forearm movements, such as those that occur when playing tennis, but also in other sports (e.g. golf), jobs (e.g. computer work, DIY) or everyday activities (e.g. gardening, lifting heavy loads), can overload the tendons in the elbow area.
Muscle strain: When you repeat a typing motion or other activity, your wrist and forearm muscles stretch to perform the movement, putting pressure on the tendons that connect these muscles to your elbow.
Microtrauma: The repeated pressure causes small injuries to the tendons, known as microtrauma. These can accumulate over time and cause inflammation.
Inflammatory reaction: The body reacts to microtrauma with an inflammatory reaction. This inflammation causes swelling and pain on the outside of the elbow.
Pain and limitation: The inflamed tendon causes pain and can limit the mobility of the arm and hand.
It is important to know that tennis elbow is not only caused by tennis, but by repetitive strain on the forearm in general. It can therefore occur in people who frequently perform certain movements or activities that overload the affected muscles.
Besides the massage gun, there are a few other factors that go into treating tennis elbow.
Treatment for tennis elbow (tennis elbow or epicondylitis humeri radialis) aims to reduce inflammation and pain, relieve strain on the tendons and promote healing. There are several treatment options that can be used individually or in combination. However, it is important to consult a doctor before starting any treatment in order to obtain an accurate diagnosis and determine the right therapy for the individual case.
Here are some common treatments for tennis elbow:
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Rest: One of the most important steps in treating tennis elbow is to temporarily avoid activities that may aggravate the pain. This allows the inflamed tendons to recover and heal.
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Physical therapy: A physical therapist can recommend targeted exercises and techniques to strengthen and stretch the affected muscles and tendons. This can aid healing and increase resilience.
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Anti-inflammatory drugs: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen, can be taken to reduce pain and inflammation, but their use should be discussed with a doctor.
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Ice treatment: Applying ice to the affected area can reduce swelling and inflammation. It is important to wrap the ice in a cloth and not apply it directly to the skin to avoid frostbite.
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Ergonomic adjustments: In some cases, adjusting workplace or sports equipment can help reduce stress on the elbow.
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Bandages or elbow braces: Wearing a bandage or brace can relieve pressure on the tendons and aid healing.
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Shockwave therapy: In stubborn cases, shockwave therapy may be considered to promote healing.
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Injections: In some cases, a cortisone injection into the affected area may be used to reduce inflammation and pain. However, the injection should be used with caution as it can have side effects and is not suitable for everyone.
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Ultrasound or laser therapy: These therapeutic approaches can promote healing and relieve pain.
In severe cases where conservative measures are not sufficient, surgery may be considered to repair the damaged tendons. However, most cases of tennis elbow improve with conservative treatment measures within a few weeks to months. It is important to pay attention to the recommendations of the doctor and physical therapist during treatment and recovery and possibly temporarily avoid activities that could aggravate tennis elbow.
Now to the point of how a massage gun helps with tennis elbow.
A massage gun can help relieve pain and promote recovery from tennis elbow. A massage gun is a handheld electric device that uses rapid, pulsating movements to deliver targeted deep tissue massage. Here are some ways a massage gun can help with tennis elbow:
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Relieve muscle tension: A massage gun can relieve muscle tension in the forearm muscles caused by overuse and strain in tennis elbow. The pulsating movements can reach deep tissue layers and release muscle knots (trigger points).
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Improve blood circulation: The massage gun increases blood circulation in the affected area. Better blood circulation promotes the transport of nutrients and oxygen to the injured tendons and muscles, thus supporting healing.
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Reducing inflammation: The massage gun can help reduce inflammation in the elbow area by assisting fluid movement in the affected tissues.
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Pain relief: Massaging with a massage gun can reduce pain in the elbow area by promoting the release of endorphins, which act as the body's natural painkillers.
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Loosening scar tissue: In chronic tennis elbow, scar tissue and adhesions can form in the affected tendons. A massage gun can help loosen these adhesions and restore flexibility and mobility.
However, it is important to note that using a massage gun for tennis elbow is only recommended as part of a comprehensive treatment approach. Other therapies such as rest, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and ergonomic adjustments should also be considered to aid in a full recovery.
Before using a massage gun, it is advisable to speak to a doctor or a specialist therapist to make sure that it is suitable for the specific case of tennis elbow and will not cause further complications.
It is important to have a massage gun that has individual intensity levels because you have to get your body used to the massage gun feeling. It is helpful to try out different levels.
The Fitgun Pro has 30 intensity levels that can be adjusted from person to person. This means you can treat your tennis elbow perfectly with our 6 different attachments.
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