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Warmer days of spring are an ideal time for tennis. But in the process of an invigorating game, sometimes a fierce pain in the elbow can hit you suddenly. It hits world-class players as well as weekend athletes. What is it?

Tennis elbow can hit hard when it first strikes and slows down to a dull throb later at night. Or it can come on gradually. It doesn't necessarily have to be tennis that brings it on. You can get it playing golf, laying bricks or carrying a bag of groceries. The pain results from placing a strain on the elbow joint. It involves the ligament which allows you to rotate your hand and forearm. All it takes is a strain or an overload on the tendon complex and you've stretched or torn it. Frequently it is associated with tendonitis of the shoulder, fibrositis of the back and other collagenous degenerative conditions.

Although health authorities are in disagreement about both its cause and treatment, most suggest a suspension of play until the condition has subsided. Dr. Cassara believes the pain is due to bursitis - a condition or inflammation of the bursa (sac of fine membrane which provides muscles with a gliding surface to work smoothly). Dr. Cassara has treated patients effectively with manipulation of the elbow. This treatment along with therapy has been successful in not only reducing the inflammation but also in rehabilitating the arm.

Anytime one part of the body, in this case the elbow, is asked to do more than it reasonably should, complications arise. Most cases of tennis elbow in good players result from a tendency to twist the wrist while serving. Players can be taught how to swing and hit the ball so as to avoid certain motions which tend to perpetuate the problem. Once mastered, the problem of tennis elbow can be eliminated.

Since the prevention of tennis elbow involves knowing the structure of the body, its abilities and limitations, many players and athletes make periodic visits to Dr. Cassara for preventive and curative measures. The best defense against tennis elbow is a keen sense of prevention.

Yours for better health, naturally,

Cassara Chiropractic Center