Tennis Elbow Symptoms and Causes 

What is the number one reason people visit their doctor for elbow pain? Tennis elbow! It is a common condition (and a painful one) that occurs when tendons in your elbow are overloaded. The pain is usually caused by repetitive motions of the wrist and arm. Tennis elbow doesn’t just impact tennis players. Tennis elbow pain is also common for painters, plumbers, even people who like to garden. Think those aches are from tennis elbow flaring up? Keep reading to see the signs & symptoms.  

Where Does It Hurt? 

Tennis elbow pain occurs primarily where the tendons of your forearm muscles attach to a bony bump on the outside of your elbow. Pain on the inside of your elbow? That’s golfer’s elbow.  

If you bend the wrist upwards against pressure, are doing things with your hands, or when you grip something, you may feel pain spread into your forearm and wrist. Rest, OTC pain relievers, and massage therapy often help relieve tennis elbow. 

What are the Symptoms of Tennis Elbow? 

Tennis elbow pain may radiate from the outside of your elbow into your forearm and wrist. Pain and weakness may make it difficult to: 

  • Lift an object (even something as light as a piece of paper!) 

  • Write or type on the computer 

  • Turn your wrist while opening the car door or opening a jar 

  • Stretch your hand 

  • Turn a doorknob 

  • Shake hands or grip an object - like a phone or remote control 

What Causes Tennis Elbow? 

The primary cause of this condition is muscle overuse and the repeated contraction of the forearm muscles that you use to straighten and raise your hand and wrist. These repeated motions and stress to the tissue may result in a series of tiny tears in the tendons.  

As the name suggests, playing tennis is one possible cause of tennis elbow. However, many other common arm motions are also to blame, including: 

  • Repetitive use of a computer mouse  

  • Painting 

  • Cutting up cooking ingredients, particularly meat 

  • Using tools or driving screws 

Don’t let tennis elbow slow down your game or your life! To help relieve pain from tennis elbow, get a massage designed for the unique needs of this condition. Schedule an appointment at our South Tampa, FL massage office today!  

Tennis Elbow Risk Factors 

Several factors may increase your risk of tennis elbow. These include: 

  • Age – While tennis elbow affects people of all ages, it is most common in adults between the ages of 30 and 50.  

  • Occupation – People with jobs involving repetitive motions of the wrist and arm are more likely to develop tennis elbow. This may include plumbers, painters, carpenters, butchers, and cooks. 

  • Certain Sports – Any racket sport can increase your risk of tennis elbow, especially if you are not using the correct stroke technique.  

Ease Your Pain from Tennis Elbow 

At Tampa Bay Sports & Medical Massage, we believe in non-invasive, massage treatments to relieve pain. Our licensed therapists can help reduce the risk of further injury and improve sports performance. 

See why we’re the best massage therapists in Tampa! To schedule an appointment with one of our massage therapists, call us today at (813) 667-0988, see our FAQs, or book online. If you know someone suffering from tennis elbow pain, our office offers massage gift certificates that can be used to ease the pain. We fix broken people.  

Tracy Jonestennis elbow, Medical Massage, Tampa Massage Therapy, Pain Relief, pain management