Chiropractic has been proven to be a safe and effective therapy for elbow pain that promotes healing and restores strength without surgery or medication. In terms of elbow pain, chiropractic aims not only to relieve the pain itself but to address the structural components (muscles, skeleton, etc.) that contribute to the condition being there in the first place.
The elbow is a joint, which is the conjunction (or meeting point) of two or more bones. What’s more, it is considered a ball-and-socket joint, which means that the bones form a cup shape around a slippery, gelatinous sac (forming the “ball”), allowing movement of the joint in more than one direction.
In the case of the elbow there are three bones involved – the humerus (or upper arm bone), and the radius and ulna (which make up the forearm or lower arm). Together, they allow us to move the joint in two different ways – flexing and extending (like doing bicep curls), and pronation/supination (which is when you turn arm from palm facing down to palm facing up, or vice-versa).
The causes for that irritation and inflammation are most often some combination of overexertion and overuse, though infection, genetics, and degenerative diseases can always play a role as well.
Elbow pain is a common issue we address in our office. It is most common in a person’s dominant arm.
Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis) – Tennis elbow is a pain or soreness that is felt on the outside of the elbow. A form of tendonitis, it is caused by damage to the muscles and tendons connecting the forearm muscles (the ulna and radius) to the elbow joint.
Tennis elbow pain usually starts small and slowly increases, although occasionally (if rarely) the pain comes suddenly and as though out of nowhere. With tennis elbow, it can hurt to shake hands or squeeze an object. Any activity involving the elbow joint then exacerbates the pain (lifting, brushing teeth etc.). It occurs more with men than women, and it occurs more with people in the 30-50 year-old age range than in other age groups.
Tennis elbow should not be ignored, and it is unlikely to go away on its own. While pain from tennis elbow starts on the outside of the elbow, if the condition is left untreated, the pain can spread down the arm all the way to the wrist. When this happens, simple tasks like turning a key in a lock or open a door become painful and difficult, if not impossible.
“Manipulation of the wrist appeared to be more effective than ultrasound, friction massage, and muscle stretching and strengthening exercises for the management of lateral epicondylitis when there was a short-term follow-up.” (Australas. Chiropr. Osteopathy. 1998 July; 7(2): 53–67)
If you have pain, let us know!