Tennis elbow occurs from the overuse of the forearm muscles. The tendons attached to the muscles and the elbow region become inflamed. This inflammation is what causes pain and discomfort. Some of the common underlying factors that could lead to tennis elbow could include any of the following:
What Causes Tennis Elbow?
- Shoulder Stiffness – The shoulder is connected to the arms, and the arms to the elbows and the wrists. When there is stiffness in the shoulders, it can place strain on the arms, and in effect, the tendons that are attached to the muscles in the upper and lower arms.
- Poor Posture/Ergonomics – If you sit slouched over your desk, or do not have your chair, keyboard, or desk in the right positions, muscle strain and tightness can occur in various parts of the body. The added strain on these muscles, especially the ones in the arm, could lead to tennis elbow.
- Repetitive Movements – Tennis elbow is often caused by doing the same movements over and over, especially those of the hands, wrists, elbows, or upper arms. These movements can gradually tear the tendons so that when faced with a single movement at a higher strain level, it can cause injury.
- Upper Back and Neck Tightness – Tightness in these areas, as well as pain and discomfort, can increase the likelihood of developing tennis elbow. The nerve endings in this area are connected to the nerves in the elbow, so it is not unheard of to have a complaint of pain shooting down the arms to the elbows.
- Overstraining of the Muscles in the Arms – If you overstain the muscles in the arms, it can lead to muscle strains and sprains, as well as place excess force on the tendons. This type of injury is common in people who lift weights or play sports. They attempt to go too fast and not give their bodies time to adjust gradually.
