Elbow Pain: Finding Relief from Tennis Elbow

Conquering Tennis Elbow with Chiropractic Care

Tennis elbow – the name might conjure images of intense backhands and grueling rallies, but this common condition can affect anyone, athlete or not. Characterized by pain on the outer portion of the elbow, tennis elbow disrupts everyday activities like gripping objects, opening doors, or even shaking hands.

Here at Marks Chiropractic, we help our patients overcome tennis elbow and regain pain-free movement. In this blog post, we'll dive into the causes and treatments for this condition, highlighting the potential of chiropractic care to bring you relief.

Understanding Tennis Elbow: Beyond the Racquet

Despite the name, tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) isn't exclusive to tennis players. It's a repetitive strain injury affecting the tendons that connect the forearm muscles to the elbow bone. These tendons are responsible for wrist extension and handgrip. Repetitive motions that strain these tendons, like painting, carpentry, weightlifting, or even extensive computer work, can lead to tiny tears and inflammation, causing the characteristic pain of tennis elbow.

Symptoms to Watch Out For:

• Pain and tenderness on the outer side of the elbow, especially when gripping or twisting the wrist

• Weakness in the grip

• Difficulty performing daily tasks that involve gripping objects

Treating Tennis Elbow: A Multi-Pronged Approach

Tennis elbow treatment focuses on reducing inflammation, promoting healing, and preventing future flare-ups. Here's how chiropractic care can play a vital role:

• Manual Adjustments: Chiropractors use gentle, targeted adjustments to improve joint mobility and function in the elbow, wrist, and spine. This can alleviate pain and stiffness associated with tennis elbow.

• Soft Tissue Therapy: Techniques like massage and trigger point therapy can help relax tight muscles in the forearm that contribute to tendon strain. Improved blood flow to the area promotes healing.

• Stretching and Strengthening Exercises: Specific stretches and exercises prescribed by your chiropractor can enhance flexibility and strengthen the forearm muscles, reducing stress on the tendons and preventing future injury.

• Lifestyle Modifications:  Your chiropractor can advise on ergonomic adjustments to your workspace or daily activities to minimize repetitive strain on the elbow.

• High Intensity Laser Therapy: High-intensity laser therapy (HILT) uses concentrated light to potentially reduce pain and inflammation in tennis elbow.

• Dry Needling: Dry needling inserts thin needles into trigger points to relax muscles and improve tennis elbow pain

The Chiropractic Advantage: A Holistic Approach to Healing

Chiropractic care offers a non-invasive, drug-free approach to managing tennis elbow. By focusing on improving joint health, promoting proper biomechanics, and addressing underlying postural issues, chiropractic care can effectively reduce pain and improve function. Additionally, chiropractors can recommend complementary therapies. If treatment doesn't seem to be resolving the condition as quickly as expected imaging will be considered (if not already performed) or a referral for more aggressive intervention will be provided.

Don't Wait for Relief: Schedule Your Appointment Today!

If you're experiencing pain on the outer side of your elbow, don't let it hold you back. At Marks Chiropractic, we're dedicated to helping you achieve pain relief and regain optimal function.  Contact us today to schedule an appointment and discuss how chiropractic care can help you defeat tennis elbow!