The Elbow

Technique

• The patient sits at the couch. The elbow is bent to a right angle and in slight pronation.
• The therapist sits next tot the patient.
• He palpates for the lateral epicondyle and the shafts of radius and ulna.
• The tender spot is found in between the two bones, usually on the radius.
• Friction is given with the thumb; counter pressure is given by the fingers, placed at the medial aspect of the elbow.
• The active phase of the friction is an oblique movement of the thumb, perpendicular to the fibres of the muscle- the movement starts proximally on the radius and ends more distally on the ulna.
• During the passive phase, the thumb is brought back in the starting position, (without loosing contact with the skin).
• The movement is repeated with a rhythm of +/- 90/minute and this during 10 to 15 minutes.