At Muscle Therapy By Tom in Slough, treatment is tailored to the individual’s symptoms, activity levels and recovery needs.
What Causes Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow usually develops when the tendons that connect the forearm muscles to the outer elbow are repeatedly loaded. The wrist extensor muscles are particularly involved, especially during gripping, lifting and repeated wrist movements.
Rather than being caused only by a single injury, tennis elbow often develops gradually when the tendon is exposed to more load than it can comfortably tolerate and recover from.
Common activities associated with tennis elbow include:
- Tennis, squash and other racket sports
- Weightlifting and resistance training
- Repetitive manual work
- Using hand tools for extended periods
- Frequent gripping or lifting
- Repetitive computer and mouse use
Symptoms commonly include pain around the outside of the elbow, tenderness, forearm discomfort and weakness when gripping or lifting.
How Can Massage Help Tennis Elbow?
Massage does not directly repair a damaged tendon, but appropriate soft tissue treatment can help manage some of the muscular tension and discomfort that develop around the forearm and elbow.
Depending on the individual’s symptoms, massage may help to:
- Reduce forearm muscle tension: Repetitive gripping can leave the wrist extensor muscles feeling tight and fatigued.
- Improve comfortable movement: Reducing surrounding muscular tension may make wrist and elbow movement feel easier.
- Support relaxation: Gentle hands-on treatment can help reduce the sensation of muscular tightness and discomfort.
- Address contributing muscle restrictions: Treatment can include the forearm, upper arm, shoulder and surrounding soft tissues when appropriate.
- Complement rehabilitation exercises: Massage can be combined with a suitable strengthening and mobility programme.
The aim is not to aggressively work directly over a painful tendon. Treatment should be adjusted according to the stage and severity of the symptoms.
Massage Techniques Used for Tennis Elbow
A treatment plan should be based on an individual assessment rather than applying the same technique to every case. Depending on the presentation, a therapist may use different soft tissue approaches around the forearm and upper limb.
Deep Tissue Massage
Appropriate deeper work may be used on areas of muscular tension in the forearm and surrounding tissues. Pressure should always remain within a comfortable and appropriate range.
Myofascial Techniques
Myofascial techniques can be used to address areas that feel restricted around the forearm and upper limb, potentially helping improve comfortable movement.
Trigger Point Techniques
Targeted work on tight areas of the forearm may help reduce muscular discomfort and improve how the surrounding tissues feel during movement.
Active Release Techniques
Active movement can sometimes be incorporated into soft tissue treatment to assess how the muscles respond during movement and to work on areas of restriction.
Any technique used around a painful elbow should be adapted to the individual’s symptoms. More pressure is not necessarily better, particularly when the area is highly sensitive.
Why Rest Alone May Not Be the Complete Solution
Reducing aggravating activities can be an important part of managing tennis elbow, particularly when a repetitive movement is contributing to symptoms. However, complete inactivity is not always the long-term answer.
Once symptoms allow, gradually rebuilding the capacity of the forearm through appropriate strengthening and loading can be an important part of recovery.
Massage can support this process by helping manage muscular tension and making movement more comfortable, but it should complement—not replace—appropriate rehabilitation.
Can You Have a Massage During a Tennis Elbow Flare-Up?
It depends on the severity of the symptoms and the area being treated. When the elbow is particularly painful or sensitive, aggressive pressure directly over the tendon may make symptoms worse.
A therapist may instead use gentler techniques around the surrounding muscles while avoiding unnecessarily painful treatment. If the pain is severe, persistent or associated with significant weakness, professional medical assessment is advisable before continuing treatment.
For general information about tennis elbow symptoms and treatment options, you can also refer to the NHS guidance on tennis elbow.
Who May Experience Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow can affect people from many different occupations and sporting backgrounds. It is particularly relevant to anyone whose activities involve repeated gripping, lifting or wrist movements.
- Gym-goers: Repeated pulling, lifting and gripping can increase forearm loading.
- Racket sport players: Repeated strokes can place considerable demand on the wrist extensors.
- Manual workers: Tools and repetitive hand movements can contribute to ongoing tendon loading.
- Office workers: Repetitive keyboard and mouse use may contribute to forearm and wrist discomfort.
- Tradespeople: Repeated gripping and forceful hand movements can place additional stress on the elbow.
Massage for Tennis Elbow in Slough
At Muscle Therapy By Tom, treatment focuses on the individual rather than simply treating the painful point. The forearm, wrist, elbow, upper arm and shoulder may all be considered when assessing muscular tension and movement.
Sessions can be adapted according to the duration of symptoms, training demands and day-to-day activities. For clients who train regularly, treatment can also be incorporated alongside their wider recovery and exercise routine.
The practice is located inside The Gym Group Slough, making it convenient for local gym-goers and active clients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can massage help tennis elbow?
Massage may help reduce surrounding muscle tension and improve comfortable movement, which can make symptoms easier to manage. It is best used alongside appropriate rehabilitation rather than as a standalone cure.
Should massage be applied directly to the painful elbow?
Not necessarily. If the tendon is particularly sensitive, aggressive pressure directly over the painful area may aggravate symptoms. Treatment can instead focus on surrounding muscles and tissues where appropriate.
How long does tennis elbow take to recover?
Recovery varies considerably between individuals. Symptoms can persist for weeks or months, particularly when the aggravating activity continues. Gradual load management and appropriate strengthening are often important parts of recovery.
Can I continue going to the gym with tennis elbow?
In many cases, activity can be modified rather than stopped completely. Reducing or adapting movements that aggravate the elbow and gradually rebuilding strength may be more useful than complete rest. A healthcare or rehabilitation professional can provide advice based on your symptoms.
Is deep tissue massage good for tennis elbow?
Deep tissue massage may be appropriate for some of the surrounding muscular tension, but aggressive treatment is not automatically better. The technique and pressure should be adjusted to the individual’s symptoms and stage of recovery.
When should I see a healthcare professional?
If elbow pain is severe, persistent, worsening, associated with significant weakness or affecting normal daily activities, seek assessment from a GP, physiotherapist or other qualified healthcare professional.
Book a Tennis Elbow Massage in Slough
Tennis elbow can interfere with training, work and everyday activities, but managing the condition does not have to mean simply waiting for the pain to disappear.
Appropriate massage can help manage surrounding muscular tension and support comfortable movement while you work on the underlying load and strength issues.
Looking for massage for tennis elbow in Slough? Book a tailored treatment with Muscle Therapy By Tom: