From Nagging Wrist/Elbow Pain to Full Recovery - Mark’s Journey with Elbow and Wrist Tendinitis

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Mark, a software engineer, was spending hours in front of his computer without realizing the strain it was putting on his body. As the weekend would approach, Mark would dive into his second passion … tennis! One day he noticed a dull ache in his elbow, he ignored it. 

Days went by ... the nagging pain became sharper... radiating to his wrist and sometimes to his shoulder. Simple tasks like lifting his laptop became very painful. Every time he powered a serve.....sharp pain would shoot up his elbow. Pain was also beginning to interfere with his power lifts in the gym. 

Mark tried resting, icing, over the counter elbow braces, pain medications… even adjusted his serving style. 

Pain lingered…. Got worse over months… making Mark wonder “Are my tennis days over?”

Mark's story is NOT unique at all. 

Whether it's a sharp pain with certain movements, a dull constant throb, or a frustrating weakness, you might be dealing with tendinitis...

What Exactly is Tendinitis?

Simply put, tendinitis is the inflammation or irritation of a tendon – the thick, fibrous cords that attach muscle to bone. While "inflammation" is part of the story, tendinitis is often more accurately described as a tendinopathy, indicating micro-tears and degeneration within the tendon structure itself, rather than just inflammation.

Common areas in the wrist and elbow include:

• Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis): Pain on the outside of the elbow, often radiating down the forearm. Despite the name, it's common in non-tennis players, usually from repetitive gripping, lifting, or wrist extension.

• Golfer's Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis): Pain on the inside of the elbow, radiating into the forearm and wrist. Often from repetitive wrist flexion or forearm pronation.

• De Quervain's Tenosynovitis: Pain on the thumb side of the wrist, worsened by gripping or lifting, often seen in new parents, typists, or anyone with repetitive thumb movements.

• Extensor Tendinitis: Pain on the back of the wrist, usually from repetitive wrist extension or gripping.

• Flexor Tendinitis: Pain on the palm side of the wrist, often from repetitive wrist flexion or finger gripping.

  
  

  It is best to address these discomforts at the earliest to avoid chronic complicated pains.

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Why Does It Happen? (And Why It's Not Just "Overuse")

While repetitive motions are a common trigger, tendinitis is rarely just about "overuse." Often, it's a combination of factors:

• Repetitive Stress: Yes, doing the same motion over and over (typing, gripping, lifting, gardening, sports).

• Poor Ergonomics: An improperly set up workstation, tools, or even how you hold your phone.

• Improper Technique: Using incorrect form during sports, lifting, or daily tasks.

• Muscle Imbalances & Weakness: Weakness in supporting muscles can put extra strain on tendons.

• Sudden Increase in Activity: Jumping into a new activity or drastically increasing intensity without proper conditioning.

• Aging: Tendons naturally lose some elasticity with age, making them more susceptible to injury.

A short-term fix like endless rest or just taking pain relievers or even run of the mill exercises can mask the problem, but won't address the underlying imbalance or weakness that caused the tendinitis in the first place. You might feel better for a bit, but the pain often returns when you resume activity because the root cause was never truly healed.

At Healthy Hands, I understand how debilitating wrist and elbow pain can be. As a solo Certified Hand Therapist (specialty for hand to shoulder rehab) with over 20 years of dedicated experience, my focus is on evaluating the entire hand to upper body chain, pinpointing the true cause of your tendinitis and guiding you to a significantly faster, more complete recovery. 

Through personalized and highly skilled manual therapy, modifications in his work ergonomics/posture and individualized exercises, Mark’s pain was eliminated. But that’s not where his healing journey stopped. 

As his TRUE health partner, I analyzed his tennis strokes, sorted specific exercises to strengthen his weak muscles around the wrist, elbow, shoulder & upper back; and designed a comprehensive plan for him to engage confidently, in his gym routine and his favorite sport... without pain… without worry! 

Ready to understand YOUR tendinitis and start your journey to a pain-free life?

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Your hands and arms deserve dedicated, expert care!