Remedial Massage Therapy: A Sure Relief for Tennis Elbow

Massage therapy has for a long time been established to be the ultimate treatment modality for most sports injuries. Unlike general massage, remedial massage is specifically aimed at treating different client needs through only the relevant techniques as well as movement and lubricants. The healing process is therefore initiated from a cellular level as soft tissues get repaired and restored to their normal functionality. This kind of treatment is generally best for treating injuries where the skin is intact such as sprains, strains, broken bones and muscular-skeletal imbalances although it is particularly ideal for lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow). 

What is Tennis Elbow?

Tennis Elbow is a situation where collagen fibers are broken down in the tendons although no inflammatory problem arises. Most lateral epicondylitis cases are therefore caused by repetitive eccentric wrist flexion or excessive concentric wrist extension. Such chronic tension can also result from fatigue and tendon degeneration hence is best treated by either remedial reflexology or traditional approaches such as rest and reduction of the offending activities. 

Remedial Massage Therapy

The primary remedial massage technique aimed at treating tennis elbow involves massaging across the muscle fibers of the forearm to ease tension and facilitate mobility of the muscle tissue. The process also involves a gentle compression technique that helps to reduce pain in the arm when it’s being used by enhancing the muscle’s broadening ability during contraction.
In the process, the arm becomes less sensitive to a point where deeper massage techniques can be applied. Such techniques include trigger point therapy and resistance band exercises which help to rehabilitate the arm and treat tennis elbow. One other remedial techniques worth mentioning is deep friction massage which when applied to the extensor tendons of a flexed wrist, can encourage collagen production in the affected tendons. 

Alternatives to Remedial Therapy

To compliment remedial massage therapy, patients may also be encouraged to try out traditional approaches such as strength training, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, surgery, corticosteroid injections, soft tissue therapy, rest and anti-inflammatory medications. These however are basically more like first aids, since remedial manipulation is mostly successful where other treatments fail. 


In most countries, remedial bodywork is still an unregistered profession hence isn’t based on any special study. As a general recommendation therefore, patients are advised to seek treatment from a registered health professional before consulting a curative massage therapist. Nonetheless, in western society, remedial massage therapists are well trained and can be able to provide the right diagnosis and treat most soft tissue injuries like tennis elbow as well as offer relevant medical advice.