Your Pressure Pyramid for Trigger Point Therapy

 

Summer time in beautiful Vancouver is just around the corner! Many of us reach for our tennis rackets and golf clubs, as they are great social distancing activities.  In fact,  just reaching for my tennis racket, my back spasmed out of control on my birthday! If you’ve ever had a back spasm before, you know that pain is no joke…

Using Your Pressure Pyramid for Trigger Points

I often use Your Pressure Pyramid when I feel those spots in my back starting to seize up. My favourite one for my back is the bamboo pyramid for its extra firmness. Cork is great on the feet and the foam one is a little softer, and works great anywhere on the body that is more sensitive.

Depending on where I am, either laying into or leaning against Your Pressure Pyramid, and taking some deep breaths really helps with not allowing the spasm to continue. That being said, there are so many other great spots on the body that trigger point therapy and massage can work well on and alleviate pain.

Trigger Point Therapy for Tennis Elbow

 

For almost half of all recreational tennis players, tennis elbow can range from a nagging and persistent pain to a debilitating, crippling pain, also known as ‘lateral epicondylitis.’ Tennis elbow is just something that goes hand in hand with this summer time sport.

The pain and swelling around the outside of the elbow can be so severe that the only answer is to stop playing all together. This condition also tends to affect men more than women. While the term “tennis elbow” is the generic description for this pain and dysfunction the same problem appears from many different repetitive activities over time. The most common muscles involved are the forearm, upper arm and shoulder, which suffer from repetition overload.

7 common remedies for Tennis Elbow that don’t really work

Common remedies used for tennis elbow that don’t really work include:

• RICE (rest, ice, compression and elevation)
• Using a strap or band wrapped around the forearm,
• Strengthening and stretching exercises.
• Anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Cortisone injections
• Surgery (for severe cases)

 

Unfortunately none of the remedies listed above truly help with completely stopping tennis elbow and keeping it away. But, fortunately with proper treatment the problem can usually be corrected within a few weeks to three months. Once your therapist has checked each of the muscles for restricted range of motion and trigger points; therapy includes massage techniques, manual compression, stretching and movement to restore full range of motion to the dysfunctional muscles. Whether the condition involves true tendonitis or simply referred pain from other muscles, it can be effectively treated by Myofascial trigger point therapy.   

What are the Symptoms of Tennis Elbow?

 

In most cases, the pain develops slowly and gradually over weeks and months in the elbow area. It is less common for the symptoms to occur suddenly. You may feel:

• Stiffness in the elbow
• May be painful to make a fist
• Pain and tenderness on the inside of the elbow
• Pain in the fore arm
• Numbness and tingling in the ring and pinky finger
• The hand and wrist will feel weaker

The pain can be anything from mild discomfort to severe nagging pain, and it will commonly affect sleep. It is noticeable that the pain will increase when using force trying to stabilize or move the wrist. 

Top 7 Activities that will make Tennis Elbow Worse

 

• Shaking hands
• Certain exercise such as push ups & pull ups 
• Using tools
• Turning door knobs
• Playing video games
• Gripping objects such as cutlery, pens/pencils, computer mouse
• Fully extending you arm and making a fist

 

In any case it makes everyday activities more difficult than they should be and can cause frustration and anxiety. (see blog 1 Your Pressure Pyramid for Anxiety) https://yourpressurepyramid.com/blog/trigger-point-massage-for-anxiety/

Who is Prone to Tennis Elbow?

Tennis Elbow affects around 1-3% of the general population. Studies have shown that the pain of Tennis Elbow is about twice as common in men than women. Those prone to it tend to be between the ages of 35 and 50.

Older people tend to be more susceptible due to the continuous repetitive movements over time, leading to wear and tear of  tendons. It’s not just tennis players who suffer from this condition. 

Anyone who participates in activities that require repetitive and vigorous use of the forearm muscle, are more susceptible. We often see this condition develop in other sectors such as; hairdressers, chefs, gardeners, house cleaners , and people who play sports such as baseball and football.

Where to get your Trigger Point Tool to combat Tennis Elbow?

Use Your Pressure Pyramid to give yourself a trigger point massage and alleviate your tennis elbow, and so much more on the go! Get Your Pressure Pyramid today! https://yourpressurepyramid.com/shop/)