NCH Doctor Offers Relief from Tennis Elbow
All you did was lift the milk jug from the refrigerator. Suddenly, pain shoots from your elbow down your forearm to the wrist. And it happens regularly, like when you drink your morning coffee or type on a keyboard for long stretches of time. While you may not play tennis, NCH Physician Group internal medicine and sports medicine specialist Dr. Gregory Rubin knows what it takes to alleviate the pain of lateral epicondylitis, which is more
a year,” Dr. Rubin says. For those few patients who don’t find relief in non-surgical treatments, Dr. Rubin offers platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections. Platelet-rich plasma therapy is a form of regenerative medicine that can amplify the natural growth factors the body uses to heal tissue. “The growth factor brings all of these good cells so the tendon can heal,” Dr. Rubin explains.
Symptoms of “tennis elbow”
The pain associated with tennis elbow may radiate from the outside of your elbow into your forearm and wrist. Pain and weakness may make it difficult to: • Shake hands or grip an object • Turn a doorknob • Hold a coffee cup Risk Factors • AGE. While tennis elbow affects people of all ages, it's most common in adults between the ages of 30 and 50. • OCCUPATION. People who have jobs that involve repetitive motions of the wrist and arm are more likely to develop
Dr. Gregory Rubin
commonly known as “tennis elbow.” “Despite its name, athletes aren't the only people who develop tennis elbow,” says Dr. Rubin. The pain of tennis elbow occurs primarily where the tendons of the forearmmuscles attach to a bony bump on the outside of your elbow. Pain can also spread into the forearm and wrist. People whose jobs feature the types of motions that can lead to tennis elbow include plumbers, painters, carpenters and butchers. To begin with, Dr. Rubin recommends conservative treatments and suggests rest, ice, compression and elevation in the short term. When pain is not alleviated by these at-home treatment methods, physical therapy is often prescribed as the first non-surgical treatment option. A therapist can teach you exercises to gradually stretch and strengthen yourmuscles, especially themuscles of your forearm. Eccentric exercises, which involve lowering your wrist very slowly after raising it, are particularly helpful. A forearm strap or brace may reduce stress on the injured tissue. Topical steroids and corticosteroid injections are other non-surgical options. “Ninety percent of patients get better with conservativemeasures within
tennis elbow. Examples include plumbers, painters, carpenters, butchers and cooks. • CERTAIN SPORTS. Participating in racket sports increases your risk of tennis elbow, especially if you employ poor stroke technique.
Dr Gregory Rubin performs these procedures in his office located at 1285 Creekside Blvd, Suite 102, Naples . Call the office at (239) 624-0310 to make an appointment.
Graston Technique - An Instrument-Based Type of Massage Therapy For Pain Relief and Improved Function
The Graston Technique is effective in treating the following: Ankle Pain / Achilles Tendinosis/itis Wrist Pain / Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Tennis elbow Golfer’s elbow
N CH physical therapists have a new technique – utilizing new tools – at their disposal when diagnosing and treating patients with overuse or post-operative conditions. The Graston Technique (GT) utilizes stainless-steel instruments to help patients recover faster and more completely, with shorter treatment times. The Graston Technique is an instrument-assisted soft tissue massage (IASTM) treatment technique that is producing excellent results, says Diane Carroll, MPT, OCS, one of five NCH physical therapists who have been trained in application of the technique. Healing often begins after the first treatment, she says. “We use different instruments to locate abnormal restrictions or muscle knots,” explains Carroll. “We then determine which instrument and which technique is best for each individual patient and body part. It is very tolerable and patients typically leave feeling better than they came in.” Matt Bleau, PT, DPT, ATC, explains that the Graston Technique is a form of manual therapy that uses 6 stainless steel instruments in combination with a specialized form of massage. The instruments have beveled edges and are used to scan and detect injured tissues as well as to provide treatment. Using deep tissue massage, scar tissue is broken down and connective tissue is realigned. The therapy produces micro-trauma to body tissues and this process causes temporary inflammation which is the body’s method of healing. GT benefits the injury by increasing the rate and amount of blood flow, initiating the healing process of the affected tissues. “By using the GT treatment, we are able to reduce patient pain, increase flexibility and improve muscle function,” adds Bleau. “After an initial assessment, an individualized treatment plan is formulated that is continually re-assessed,” explains Bleau. “Depending on the tissue and area treated, the depth of pressuremay change.” Most commonly treated are tendon or muscle restrictions. GT is effective for chronic or acute pain, post-operative or overuse conditions. Patients must be referred by their physician to NCH Outpatient rehabilitation locations. Four years ago, Dr. Richard de Asla, NCH physician leader for NCH’s Orthopedic Division, was the first to make a presentation about the benefits of GT to NCH therapists. “I saw great results for pain relief of Achilles tendinosis with GT at Massachusetts General Hospital,” says Dr. de Asla. “I am now collaborating on a physical therapy study about the results of GT on relieving pain, as compared to more traditional modalities.”
Rotator cuff tendinosis/itis Hip pain / tendinosis/itis Knee pain/patellofemoral dysfunction Heel pain / Plantar fasciitis Post-surgical scar tissue
Benefits of Graston Technique treatments: Alleviates pain Speeds rehabilitation recovery time Increases range of motion Improves muscle function and strength Decreases inflammation Reduces need for anti-inflammatory and pain medication
For more information, contact NCH Outpatient Rehabilitation Creekside at (239) 624-0380 .
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