Tennis Elbow, Extensor Tendonitis or Lateral Epicondylitis are terms used to describe a condition involving the muscles in the elbow and forearm that bend the wrist back. The term develped when tennis players injured these structures when making a backhand return stroke.
When these muscles become injured due to overuse and strain, restrictive adhesions (scar tissue) develop which bind down, restrict and shorten the muscles, creating pain, stiffness and limited motion.
Some of the more common traditional treatments for this type of injury include anti-inflammatory medications, rest, ice, ultrasound, muscle stimulation, steroid injections, stretching, exercise and sometimes surgery. Unfortunately, these treatments are not effective and can require a long treatment period before any results can be attained.
Active Release Techniques soft tissue treatment is a much more effective therapy. ART specifically locates and removes the restrictive adhesions that have developed from repetitive strain of the injured muscles and tendons of the elbow. ART treatments break down these restrictive adhesions, allowing the muscles to return to their normal length and tension and to perform their normal painless motion.