Why do I have tennis elbow when I don’t play tennis?
Tennis elbow is an overuse irritation of the tendon on the outside of the elbow. That tendon works every time you grip, lift or bend your wrist back.
The name is misleading. People who cook, type, cut, sew, weld or carry shopping can get it just as tennis players do.
Which jobs in Ipoh bring it on?
Any job with repeated gripping and wrist work can do it. Here are the ones we think of first.
- Hawkers and cooks, who swing a heavy wok or a cleaver for hours.
- Office workers, who grip the mouse and type all day.
- Tailors and seamstresses, who hold scissors and pull cloth.
- Mechanics and technicians, who twist spanners and screwdrivers.
- Teachers and clerks, who write and carry stacks of books.
Weekend sports add to the load. A badminton backhand or a round of golf can be the last straw for a tendon that is already working hard.
What does tennis elbow feel like?
You feel a sore spot on the outside of the elbow, sometimes with an ache that runs a little way down the forearm. Gripping a cup, turning a door handle or shaking hands hurts, though the elbow joint itself bends normally.
Pain from a pinched nerve in the neck can feel similar. Numbness or tingling in the fingers, or neck pain, suggests a nerve source and needs a different check. Our page on tennis elbow explains the difference.
What can I change at work this week?
Reduce the repeated load without stopping your job.
- Change the grip. Build up thin handles with tape or foam, and use a larger-handled tool where you can.
- Hold objects with the palm up and the elbow close to the body, instead of palm down with the arm out.
- Use two hands for the kettle, the wok or a heavy tray.
- Raise the keyboard and mouse so the wrist stays straight, and use a lighter mouse grip.
- Take short breaks and shake the forearm loose before it aches.
Our guides on hawker and kitchen work and standing pain and factory work and repetitive strain have more job-specific tips. For the office, see our workplace ergonomics page.
Should I stop using the arm?
No. A tendon that is rested for weeks gets weaker. The better way is to reduce the painful movements, keep the arm moving and build strength steadily.
Isometric holds, where you press the wrist back against your other hand without moving, are a gentle starting point. A physiotherapist moves you on to slow lifting and lowering with a light weight, and then to gripping tasks. Pain that settles within a day is usually acceptable.
What do I do about a strap or brace?
A strap just below the elbow can take some strain off the tendon and make grip less painful. Most people who use one wear it at work and take it off at rest.
Think of it as a helper, not the treatment. If the pain is not improving after a few weeks of care, ask a doctor to review it.
How can a physiotherapist help at home?
We examine the elbow, wrist, neck and grip, then match the exercises to your job. We can also look at how you hold your tools at home, if that is where the strain occurs.
Home physiotherapy in Ipoh lets us see your kitchen, workbench or desk at home. Our Canning Garden centre is opening soon for those who prefer to come to us.