Low Level Laser Therapy Provides An Effective Drug-Free, Safe Cure For Tennis Elbow
Tennis Elbow Treatment from GP using Low Level Laser Therapy
Also known as: lateral epicondylitis, elbow tendonitis/tendinopathy 
has been successfully treated with LLLT achieving permanent cure in the majority of cases we see. We also treat Golfer’s Elbow.
Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is the application of red and near infrared light over injuries to stimulate cellular repair. LLLT has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect as well as a healing effect on the inflamed tendons of tennis elbow and surrounding inflamed soft tissues. LLLT is completely safe and has no effect on normal tissues. LLLT treats the underlying cause of the injury unlike pain medication which just masks the pain.
What is tennis elbow?
Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is a condition in which there is pain where the tendons from the forearm muscles attach to the bony protrusion on the outside of the elbow (lateral epicondyle). It is caused by inflammation of the tendons inserting at that point (lateral epicondylitis).
What are the symptoms?
There is pain over the outer side of the elbow, which may radiate into the forearm and wrist. The pain usually comes on gradually, and is made worse by repetitive straightening and bending backwards (extension) of the wrist or rotation of the forearm.
How is it diagnosed?
Usually, a diagnosis is able to make the diagnosis based on the history and a physical examination. X-rays may be used to help rule out other causes of elbow pain, such as arthritis. An ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan will show the degenerative changes in the tendon, but is rarely required.
What causes tennis elbow?
Lateral epicondylitis is due to inflammation of the tendon fibres resulting from overuse of the muscles responsible for bending back (extending) the wrist and lifting the hand.
It commonly occurs in people between the ages of 35 and 55, but does occur in other age groups too.
Although it is commonly called ‘tennis elbow’, the condition is not just caused by playing tennis. It can be caused by many other activities involving repetitive use of these muscles, such as gardening, painting, using a screwdriver or other racquet sports. Using a computer keyboard or mouse incorrectly can also contribute.
What is the treatment for tennis elbow?
Traditionally, treatments for lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) consist of temporary pain relief using anti-inflammatory medication, rest, and icing the area. While ice numbs the pain it also prevents healthy blood flow which is essential to providing oxygen and nutrients to the area to heal it, and remove waste products and CO2. Ice should therefore not be applied to injuries after the acute phase (the first day). Read more here.
Wearing a tennis elbow brace can help to protect the tendon and it is important to avoid activities that aggravate the pain.
Corticosteroid (cortisone) injections are sometimes used to assist in the treatment of tennis elbow. These can be painful and the procedure carries risks such as increase in pain (“steroid flare”), skin discolouration at the injection site, nerve damage, infection, to name a few.
Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is the application of red and near infrared light over injuries to stimulate cellular repair. LLLT has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect as well as a healing effect on the inflamed tendons of tennis elbow and surrounding inflamed soft tissues. LLLT is completely safe and has no effect on normal tissues. LLLT treats the underlying cause of the injury unlike pain medication which just masks the pain.
Inflammation is the body’s response to injury to attempt to heal it. But often the inflammatory reaction is excessive and this has a paradoxical inhibitory effect on the body’s natural healing mechanisms. This then perpetuates pain and dysfunction in the affected area. By improving circulation and increasing cellular repair functions LLLT provides an environment for your body’s own natural healing processes to be activated and restored. Once normal immune processes are restored, the excessive inflammation is reduced and healing can begin.
LLLT does not exert any physical force on the tennis elbow. Manipulation of the injured tendons just aggravates the problem, so you don’t want to actually handle the tendons, but instead decreasing the inflammation enables faster healing.
LLLT stimulates blood flow and lymphatic drainage, improved delivery of O2 and nutrition to the area, oxygen utilisation, removal of oxygen-free radicals and other waste products, and tissue healing. Read more on how Low Level Laser Therapy works.
You will be encouraged to move the affected area within range of movement/pain but not exert stretch or force during the healing phase.
The end result is resolution of inflammation and restoration of healthy tendons and local soft tissues. Once tissues are healed, pain is eliminated and normal range of motion and function is restored. Then muscle and tendon strength and flexibility can be addressed with graduated exercises and stretching.
LLLT has no known side effects, is safe and effective. By treating the underlying problem, LLLT results in permanent pain relief and restoration of function.
To see how Low Level Laser Therapy can help your Tennis Elbow contact us for more information or to make an appointment.
