Tennis elbow is a common issue in most athletes. Tennis elbow (also known as lateral epicondylitis) is caused by repetitive strain or overuse of the forearm muscles. The symptoms include soreness, stiffness, swelling, tenderness, and weakness in the area where the tendon meets the bone.
In this case, deep tissue massage elbow therapy is effective for tennis elbow. This treatment helps reduce pain and inflammation associated with the condition. It involves slow strokes along the muscle fibers to relieve tension and restore proper blood flow.
In this post, you can learn more about deep tissue massage for tennis elbow, how it works, and how to get the therapy. Also, I have answered the relevant questions on this topic.
Tennis matches require players to move their bodies constantly. It can sometimes result in muscle overuse-related disorders like tennis elbow. Deep tissue massage can be beneficial for tennis players suffering from chronic shoulder, neck, lower back, calf, and butt pain. Some of the significant benefits of deep tissue massage are as follows:
Reduces adhesion:
Forearm pain near the elbow joint is very common for tennis players. Overusing the arms can cause some tendons, ligaments, and tissues to become rigid, which can cause intense pain. It is known as adhesion.
Adhesion often impedes blood circulation in the injured area and causes inflammation. Since deep tissue involves pressure on the painful area, it breaks down the adhesion or rigidity of the muscles. As a result, the patient feels relieved as blood circulation in the affected area improves.
Reduce arm stiffness:
The forearm area often gets stiff after tennis matches, leading to limited arm movement. Deep tissue massage not only reduces stiffness but also heals muscle strains. Besides, it enhances the flexibility of the arms.
Prevents fluid buildup near the elbow area:
Tennis players frequently experience olecranon bursitis or elbow bursitis. Repetitive movements, injury, and prolonged pressure are significant risk factors for the disease. The disease accumulates fluid near the elbow joint.
The fluid accumulation reduces the blood flow and oxygen in the affected area, resulting in inflammation. Deep tissue massage prevents fluid buildup around the elbow joint, which also relieves pain.
Reduces muscle tension:
Since deep tissue massage focuses on particular muscles, it can effectively heal the affected muscles. It also makes muscles more flexible, decreasing the possibility of further injuries.
How does the Deep Tissue Massage gun help with Tennis Elbow?
Deep tissue massage differs from hard massage and requires a massage therapist’s assistance. The treatment is all about putting pressure on the injured area with the fingers or even the elbow. The purpose of the force is to improve blood circulation, lessen muscle tension, boost muscle flexibility, and relieve pain.
However, it is challenging to go to therapists for deep tissue massage every time. Moreover, this treatment is also expensive. Therefore, people often use Deep Tissue Massage guns. The Deep Tissue Massage gun tools come with a variety of ball heads, user-friendly control panels, and various speed ranges.
As a result, users can select the speed in accordance with their comfort level and get several massage rounds without paying a single penny to the therapists. These tools work like massage therapists. This tool also relies on applying pressure to the injured area in order to break up scar tissue, improve blood flow, and relieve pain.
For instance, the MuscleGun Carbon massage gun can exert around 44 pounds of pressure. The vibration of the ball head aids in tearing down the buildup of lactic acid, which is the leading cause of elbow pain. Therefore, this tool effectively reduces muscle discomfort and increases muscles’ flexibility. However, they won’t eliminate your pain but only temporarily relieve it.
People should know the using process of the tool before using it. One should not hold the gun in one particular area for more than 2 minutes. It is better to have a 30-second massage round each time. Otherwise, massaging a specific area for a long time can worsen the situation.
How often should people massage their tennis elbow?
Even though tennis elbow is a common suffering for tennis players, recovery duration varies from person to person. Depending on the severity of the injury, elbow pain generally stays between six months and two years. About 90% of people get a full recovery within one year.
Some athletes recover within a few weeks without even needing a massage or other form of treatment.
Massage therapy can be helpful in reducing chronic elbow pain. However, how often one should massage tennis elbow depends on the pain level and muscle condition. Therefore, it is difficult to say how often one should massage tennis elbow accurately.
As a result, it is always a good idea to contact your doctor as soon as possible after the injury. Only a massage therapist can customize an effective massage schedule depending on your condition.
However, it is essential to note that people should only massage an injured area with the doctor’s approval. Remember, all injury doesn’t require massage. Sometimes, massaging the affected area soon after the injury brings fruitful results. Nevertheless, massage can have the opposite effect in some conditions, such as, in the presence of blood clots.
In general, one can massage the affected area once or twice a day for about five to ten minutes every time. When it comes to deep tissue massage, each round takes one to three minutes.
Causes of Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow (also called lateral epicondylitis) is a tendon inflammation that connects your forearm muscles to your upper arm bone. This can occur when you use your hand repetitively over time.
It is easy to blame this condition as being caused by playing tennis. But the conception is slightly wrong. Well, playing racquet sports can develop the risk of tennis elbow. Players overuse their arm muscles when playing tennis, badminton, or squash.
But many arm-based activities like playing golf, cricket, rock climbing, plumbing, typing, and many other exercises can result in tennis elbow. It is a result of repetitive strain on the extensor tendons of the wrist.
Due to tennis elbow, you will feel a deep ache at the lateral epicondyle. Mild to moderate swelling and limitation of wrist flexion are also common symptoms
How does Deep Tissue Massage Work?
Tennis elbow is such a disease that takes a long to recover. But deep tissue massage always works for instant pain relief. Moreover, it improves the range of motion, breaks up scar tissue, reduces muscle tension, and so on. I have explained some deep tissue massage for tennis elbow in the below section.
Self-Massage Techniques
Self-massage is an instant way to reduce muscle tension. There are many self-massage techniques for tennis elbow that you can try.
Thumb Finger Technique: This technique works the upper arm muscle which is the key point of the tennis elbow. Lift your invaded arm and grab the underside with your thumb or fingers. Start kneading the tender spot up to 15 times and it releases tension.
Pressure Motion Technique: If you have anconeus muscle, then this technique will work. Just hold the affected arm in a sling-like way and place the fingers of another hand on the tip. Move your fingers and tighten your arm muscles. This motion will straighten your elbow.
Professional Massage
Sometimes self-massage doesn’t work as they don’t know how to massage tennis elbow. So you require professional massage in this situation. There are many messages like
Effleurage: It is a traditional Swedish massage that provides a sense of relaxation, increases blood circulation, and tennis elbow recovery. Here the professional uses the palms of the hands for long strokes before a deeper massage.
Trigger Point Therapy: Tennis elbow trigger point massage is great for reducing muscle tension and pain. In this message, you get deep constant pressure to trigger the point of your affected arm.
Transverse Friction Massage: This massage works in the elbow joint and the surrounding muscle. It brings back the range of motion and muscles are tightened up. Friction therapy for tennis elbow is performed with a back-and-forth motion.
Sports Massage Therapy: This massage is ideal for players in different fields. It helps to restore the body promotes relaxation and increases blood circulation.
Tennis elbow massage tool: Massage tools are useful if you like to self-massage and they are very easy to use. There are many massage tools like massage balls, tens units, foam rollers, etc. available in the market. Especially, Cross fiber massage for tennis elbow massage gun is more popular for deep tissue massage.
Tennis elbow massage tool
Massage tools are useful if you like to self-massage and they are very easy to use. There are many massage tools like massage balls, tens units, foam rollers, etc. available in the market. Especially, Cross fiber massage for tennis elbow massage gun is especially popular for deep tissue massage.
Yes, of course. The deep tissue massage is good for releasing tension. It is a safe and effective method for tennis elbow. So you can try them for effective results.
How do you massage a tennis elbow for massage?
There are many methods to massage a tennis elbow. You can use the thumb finger technique or the pressure motion technique.
Where is the pressure point for the tennis elbow?
The lesser sea is the pressure point of most tennis elbows. It is located in the flexed point of the elbow. The acupressure points are also highly affected due to the reason.
How do you do a deep friction massage for tennis elbow?
You can take deep friction massage with various massage tools. Also, you can consult a professional therapist to get a deep friction massage.
Is a massage gun good for tennis elbow?
The massage gun can significantly relieve muscle pain by reducing muscle tension if people can properly use the massage gun.
However, the proper knowledge of how to use the tool and how long to apply pressure to the injured area is crucial. Otherwise, improper placement can trigger more suffering. For instance, if you pressurize the tendon with the massage gun for a long time, it can further inflame it.
Final words
Deep tissue massage for tennis elbow is a great way to tackle the problem. However, you may get instant relief with the massage but it can come back again. Tennis elbow requires a lot of time to heal.
Tennis elbow may cause initial injury or unsafe conditions. If you take regular deep tissue massage then you can recover from the issue. It is a safe massage for players or all levels of people. You can take the massage multiple times a week which helps to release tension in muscles. It is always better to consult professional therapists to get suggestions.
Hello, I am Robert A. Foreman. I have had experience in Tennis for a long time since 2016. I know the exact problems that a beginner faces and know the solutions also. I have shared all my knowledge about Tennis and Badminton on my website. Feel free to read them and know more important things and facts about Tennis and Badminton. follow me Twitter
