Tennis Elbow

Lateral Epicondylitis, better known as Tennis elbow or Golfers elbow is a condition that arises in people who use their arms too often in activities such as digging, mixing cement, plastering, or by playing tennis, squash or golf very frequently. Most people develop a tennis elbow problem because they over use the wrist extensor's, or the muscles which pull the hand backwards.

These extensor muscles are all attached to the elbow at the Lateral Epicondylitis and when these muscles are over strained, it leads to partial tears or inflammation. But inflammation without any physical strain or cause can happen because of joint changes like rheumatism, gout or arthritis. Other problems like imbalances in the neck region can also actually cause pain near the elbow region which is connected by the nerve pathways. 

A direct injury or banging the elbow against something can cause the muscles to tear partially and result in inflammation again. 

But apart from the reasons stated above like rheumatism, arthritis etc or problems in seemingly unconnected body parts like the neck, inflammations generally don’t occur without any external cause. 

The Bowen technique is unique in its holistic approach towards realigning the body and healing and relaxing pinched nerve pathways. Any practitioner of the Bowen technique uses his/her thumbs and fingers to make rolling type moves on definite points of the body, disturbing the muscles, tissues and energy within the body in the process. Blood flow increases to every portion of the body and nutrients start to repair the torn muscles. The treatment is always punctuated with rest periods which allow the client’s body to absorb the movements done on the body and allow the body the time to make little adjustments which eventually helps in stress relieving and reducing pain and tension. 

The Bowen technique abstains from using force or harsh methods on the body and the hard tissues altogether. Instead, it gently encourages the body to realign and adjust itself for the best. Physiotherapists and sports enthusiasts have found in the Bowen technique a great way to prevent injuries from escalating, and preventing any further injuries.  

Though Lateral Epicondylitis is almost always called tennis elbow, it is certainly not restricted within the tennis playing community. Therefore, anyone who over uses his or her arm too much may suffer from this condition. So, tennis elbow can very well be called "plasterer's elbow", "mechanic's elbow" or even "painter's elbow". Tennis elbow or similar shoulder problems are often treated with cortisone injections as well, though their success rate varies drastically. But most people who suffer from this condition but have been treated by a Bowen practitioner, have benefited enormously from the therapy. And have reported that the pain in their elbows or shoulders have diminished or in some cases even vanished radically, even when they have gone back to working or playing with their affected arm. So, if you see symptoms of tennis elbow in your near and dear ones, give a try to Bowen technique to relieve your self from pain!