Taking extensive amounts of time off from practice and play to heal injuries is not an ideal option for athletes. Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow are no exceptions. Your physical therapist at Core3 Physical Therapy is perfect to not only help athletes recover through manual exercises, but to advise on strategies that will improve the quality of an athlete’s life. Below is a summary of what exactly tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow are, what causes them, and details of how your physical therapist at Core3 Physical Therapy can help athletes lessen the risk of future injuries.
Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)
Lateral Epicondylitis is an injury that happens outside the elbow tendon, due to repetitive activity that inflames the muscles. This injury is common amongst laborers who lift heavy objects that place high pressure on your hands.
Symptoms include pain on the outer part of the elbow, a weakened grip, and shaking hands. If your grip on your tennis racquet has weakened, there is a good chance that you have tennis elbow.
Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer’s Elbow)
Medial Epicondylitis affects the tendons on the inside of the elbow, which is a result of overusing the wrist as well as repeated bending. An example is when swinging a golf club.
Symptoms include pain and tenderness on the inside of your elbow when you squeeze objects or when you rotate your wrist. You can sometimes feel a numbness or tingling in your fingers and weakened hands and wrists.
How physical therapy can help
The Physical therapists at Core3 Physical Therapy are trained to address all types of sports injuries for people of all ages using manual therapy techniques. They can put together an ongoing care plan so you can recover, ideally without needing surgery.
In the event that surgery is required, the physical therapists at Core3 Physical Therapy can help you become stronger, ensuring a faster recovery. And because you will be eager to avoid getting injured again, the physical therapists at Core3 can design a recovery plan involving prevention exercise programs that will protect you from future injuries. The Physical therapists at Core3 can even help you in the event that you require equipment such as a cane, making sure you get one that is the right fit for you, therefore preventing worsening injuries.
Health and wellness through physical therapy
In addition to preventative exercises, the physical therapists at Core3 can assist you with health and wellness strategies. For example, if you have diabetes, you might feel a sensation or numbness in your feet and legs. A physical therapist can advise a patient on how to properly take care of their feet and legs, so they can continue playing sports with a lesser health risk. For women, a physical therapist can offer solutions to cope with pregnancy and postpartum health before they get back to golfing or tennis.
Athletes of all ages can get injured during a game. A physical therapist can help them avoid lengthy recovery or repeated injuries by advising on joint mobilization and exercise therapies that will provide long term support for a healthy body. They can also help with health and wellness strategies for any pre-existing conditions, which will keep athletes safe when playing.
Wondering how physical therapy can help you get back to–or up–your game? Give the experts at Core 3 Physical Therapy a call today.