Tennis Elbow and Carpal Tunnel

Treatment begins by assessing the patient’s forearm and wrist range of motion. If swelling is present by the elbow joint and wrist range of motion is limited then there’s a high probability that tennis elbow is occurring.

Starting on the wrist by the carpal tunnel, I apply manual manipulation to the ligaments in the area and work my way up the patient’s forearm. This helps separate the two main muscles in the forearm and allows me to easily access the extensor carpi radialis brevis, which is usually the tendon associated with tennis elbow.

With my thumb on the extensor carpi radialis brevis I apply firm pressure while conducting cross fiber friction massage.

I then do the same cross fiber friction massage to the proximal (closer to the torso) part of the tendon.

After doing this for several minutes the tendon and surrounding muscles will be less tense, pain will disappear, and wrist range of motion will greatly increase.

I finish the treatment by grabbing the patient’s wrist by the carpal tunnel again while firmly moving it back and forth which provides further joint mobilization.