SOMA Living January 2022

FROM THE DOCTOR

THE SMART WAY TO DO LAUNDRY

TENNIS ELBOW

Now that it is cold weather, most sports have been shifting to an indoor location. One sport in particular that is played inside during the winter months is tennis. With tennis there are injuries that one can sustain but the most common one is lateral epicondylitis or tennis elbow. Tennis elbow is a painful condition that occurs when tendons in your elbow are overloaded, usually by repetitive motions of the wrist and arm. Usually it is due to swinging a tennis racket however it can be an overuse of that specific area. Some of these jobs can include painters, plumbers, carpenters and butchers. It can happen to people who play sports other than tennis, but it’s most common among tennis players. While there is pain associated with this condition there is also weakness and sometime burning that can be felt. This weakness will affect a person’s ability to grip objects such as a cup of coffee or shake a hand as well a turn a door knob. In order to diagnose and treat this condition, an MD or therapist will need to do a full assessment of the motion and strength especially in the elbow. There is pressure placed over the bony prominence at the outside of the elbow and that usually will cause pain. MRI’s and X-Rays are used to rule out other conditions. Upon arriving at a diagnosis, a referral for physical therapy is usually given by an MD. There are various exercises to strengthen the weak tissues. Ultrasound, cold laser and E-Stim along with ice are also commonly used for this condition. It is also good to check with your PT or MD prior to starting any kind of rehab activities. To prevent tennis elbow, always stretch your forearms and wrists before and after playing sports. Make sure you exercise regularly and build up some strength in the forearm. If you start to feel any arm pain while you’re playing, stop. Form also plays a part in injury prevention as if you are not utilizing the proper strokes, you could injure yourself. Speak to your Physical Therapist on specifics at South Orange Rehab & Wellness, 973-761-0077.

LAUNDRY PICKUP & DELIVERY SERVICE

Dr. Daniel Roig South Orange Rehab Wellness SouthOrangeRehab.com 973-761-0077

JANUARY 2022 | SOMA LIVING 11

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