How to Relieve Desk-Related Tennis Elbow
Few people would consider a desk job to be a dangerous occupation, as the work, by itself, is passive enough. However, it is certainly possible for you to be injured on the job, and this may be due to poor technique. If you're in some pain at the moment and cannot get to the bottom of it, you could you have a case of "tennis elbow" even though you've never even heard of Wimbledon.
Technology to Blame
You may indeed have a case of lateral epicondylitis, brought on by mouse manipulation rather than by a racket. This type of condition affects the forearm and is known as a repetitive stress injury, but it can affect somebody sitting in a chair just as much as somebody on the court.
Damage at the Desk
When you sit down for long periods of time to work on your computer, you will invariably hold the mouse and will be using certain muscles as you do. You may not be aware, but you may grip this device in a certain way for an inordinate amount of time, and this will inevitably put strain on the tendons and muscles.
When you finally let go and head for home at the end of the day, you may notice a nagging pain in your forearm. If you clench your wrist and hold it in place, then you will exacerbate the situation and may feel a shooting pain when you release the tension.
Remedial Techniques
Your first act should be to schedule a visit to a massage therapist, as they will be able to use remedial techniques to release the pressure and relieve the tendons. They will begin by manipulating the area between the fingers and the thumb to provide friction and they will then stretch the vulnerable tissue and muscles out carefully.
Making Changes
You will typically feel a certain amount of relief straightaway, but if the situation has been going on for some time you may have to schedule additional appointments for treatment. As you do, remember to adjust your technique at the keyboard or alter the position of your chair in relation to the desktop.
Taking Action
Book an appointment with your local remedial massage therapist right away, as you don't need to suffer in silence anymore. They will determine whether tennis elbow is the cause of the problem and take steps to help you deal with it.
