| Tennis Players pretty much know that it's their | | | | the hand end of the forearm. |
| backhand swings that cause Tennis Elbow. If it's not | | | | 3. With enough pressure, and enough repeated strain, |
| common knowledge, it's close to it. | | | | irritation and tiny microtears happen in the tendon and |
| What exactly is happening with that backhand swing | | | | connective tissue in the area. |
| that is causing the problem? | | | | 4. Also, every time you fire a muscle, the muscle |
| There is a lot of effort in the world of tennis to learn | | | | retains a certain amount of that contraction. This |
| how to have an efficient, ergonomic backhanded | | | | means that over time, the muscles get tighter and |
| swing. It is true that if you swing wrong it creates more | | | | tighter and tighter. This puts more tension on the |
| strain in the muscles of your forearm that connect to | | | | tendons, and constant pressure. Even when you are |
| the elbow, and better ergonomics can indeed help a | | | | sleeping. Constant tension. |
| player go longer before developing pain and limitation. | | | | 5. The body kicks in an Inflammation Response. This |
| The simple truth is, if you strain your muscle too much, | | | | releases chemicals which enhance your sensitivity to |
| you're going to have problems. It doesn't matter what | | | | pain. This effectively makes your muscles even tighter. |
| muscles, it's a rule. Some structures can take more | | | | 6. Tight muscles get less circulation in and out, which |
| strain than others, but it's all relative to the structure. | | | | turns into soreness and ache and pain. |
| The muscles on the back of the hand side of the | | | | 7. You continue to play even though it aches, and later, |
| forearm are particularly designed to only be able to | | | | even though it hurts. |
| take so much, and a strong backhand can be too | | | | 8. These and other variables conspire to make more |
| much for many people. | | | | pain and then keep the pain in place. There is A LOT |
| There are of course many variables, but let's keep it | | | | going on under the skin, it is quite a complex |
| simple. Too much use causes too much strain causes | | | | mechanism that makes Tennis Elbow and makes it |
| the body to react in a certain way, that causes Tennis | | | | stay. |
| Elbow. The cause is simple. The cure is just as simple. | | | | We'd like it to just heal and go away, but it rarely |
| So what exactly is happening that causes Tennis | | | | happens that way. And mostly we blame the swing |
| Elbow? | | | | for our elbow pain. |
| 1. The action of a backhanded swing causes the | | | | It's not really the backhands fault, it's that we don't |
| muscles on the back-of-the-hand-side of the forearm | | | | know how to reverse all the effects of constantly |
| to fire and contract intensely. | | | | stressing our tendons. It's easy to keep Tennis Elbow |
| 2. This exerts pressure on the tendons and other | | | | pain away, even when playing as much tennis as you |
| connective tissue. This pressure causes strain and | | | | want, when you have the RIGHT information. |
| negative effects at the elbow end much more than | | | | |