ELBOW PAIN
The elbow’s main function is to help position the hand for eating. The elbow is often affected from over-use of the hand and wrist with sport activities such as tennis and golf and work related professions such as carpentry and construction. Classic tennis elbow is due to stress/strain of the wrist extensor muscles that originate at the lateral elbow. Classic golfer’s elbow is due to stress/strain of the wrist flexor muscles that originate at the medial elbow. Sometimes elbow pain can actually be coming from a problem in your neck or cervical spine.
Your elbow pain may be due to one or more of the following:
- Wrist or elbow joint dysfunction
- Wrist extensor/flexor tendinitis or tendinosis
- Referred pain due to a neck/cervical disc problem or pinched nerve
- Referred pain due to neck/mid-back joint restrictions
- Triceps tendinitis/tendinosis with repeated elbow extension
- Arthritis, aka osteoarthritis, aka degenerative joint disease
- Bursitis
Spine & Sports Chiropractic’s Elbow treatment approach includes:
- Chiropractic spinal and extremity adjustments or manual manipulation: Adjustments help restore normal motion, balance musculature and reduce pain.
- Physiotherapy: To reduce acute pain and inflammation.
- Muscle soft-tissue techniques: To help reduce muscle/ligament pain, tightness, adhesions and improve muscle/ligament function.
- Therapeutic exercises: Specific “low tech” rehabilitation exercises and assisted stretches are recommended to strengthen weak/inhibited muscles, improve flexibility and range of motion and prevent re-injury.
- Diet and supplement suggestions: An anti-inflammatory diet with appropriate supplementation can significantly help reduce elbow pain.
- Lifestyle modifications: Postural and repetitive stress activities may need to be addressed.
