Tennis elbow – kneads more than the prescriptive rub? An explorative survey into the osteopathic approach to lateral epicondylitis
Item
- Title
- Tennis elbow – kneads more than the prescriptive rub? An explorative survey into the osteopathic approach to lateral epicondylitis
- Author(s)
- Barker Ben
- Abstract
- Sixty-seven qualified osteopaths were questioned on their approach to tennis elbow. The osteopaths represented a general cross-section of the osteopathic population currently in practice.They answered a postal questionnaire that paid special attention to the definitions of tennis elbow, aetiological factors, treatments endorsed, contraindications to treatment and the acceptance of a multi-professional approach.The results, with doubt over their validity, showed that tennis elbow was a painful inflammatory condition to the lateral aspect of the elbow, and was typically caused by periostitis, and forearm extensor tendon damage. Treatment by osteopaths to start with, remained a hands-off approach with management of causative effects and rest being popular. Soft tissue massage longitudinally was the most favoured direct technique.Contraindications to treatment were centred on radial head damage. Common conditions such as osteoarthritis and osteoporosis were not a worry to osteopaths.Osteopaths had a low level of acceptance to refer tennis elbow sufferers to other complimentary manual therapists. General Practitioners and Orthopaedic consultants featured heavily, with the surprise favourite going to Acupuncturists.Clinically, osteopaths could elevate their approach to tennis elbow by being more ‘open’ to definitions, more holistic in their aetiology, and adaptive and diverse in their treatments. Professional pride will have to take a back seat if a multiprofessional approach is to be achieved.
- Abstract
- presented at
- British School of Osteopathy
- Date Accepted
- 2000
- Date Submitted
- 31.7.2000 00:00:00
- Type
- undergraduate_project
- Language
- English
- Submitted by:
- 62
- Pub-Identifier
- 12152
- Inst-Identifier
- 780
- Keywords
- Lateral Epicondylitis,Tennis Elbow
- Recommended
- 0
- Item sets
- Thesis
Barker Ben, “Tennis elbow – kneads more than the prescriptive rub? An explorative survey into the osteopathic approach to lateral epicondylitis”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 1, 2025, https://www.osteopathic-research.com/s/orw/item/2297