Chiropractic Care for Tennis Elbow and Golfer’s Elbow

If you are active or love sports, you may have experienced various arm injuries. Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow are two common injuries that cause stiffness, pain, and other symptoms. The discomfort increases with movement, making it difficult to work or enjoy your favorite activities. Doctors classify the conditions as overuse injuries resulting from repetitive motions.
 

Understanding Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is characterized by pain and burning on the outer part of the elbow. The condition can weaken the grip. The condition is usually due to damage to the forearm’s extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) muscle.

The muscle stabilizes the wrist when the elbow is straight. This motion is common when hitting a groundstroke in tennis. Overusing the muscle weakens it, leaving the attaching tendons vulnerable to tears. The result is pain and inflammation.

Understanding Golfer’s Elbow

The medical term for golfer’s elbow is medial epicondylitis. It causes pain and tenderness to the inner elbow. It results from inflammation of the tendons attaching the forearm muscles to the inner elbow bone.

The flexor muscles meet inside the elbow. Force from the strenuous and repetitive forearm motion strains the muscles when swinging a golf club. Repeated straining of the muscles and tendons causes inflammation and pain.

Impact of Overuse Injuries

Tennis and golfer’s elbows are overuse injuries that can impact overall wellness. Those who have experienced the injuries can attest to how debilitating they can be. They can significantly impact an individual’s ability to perform daily activities. The pain and discomfort can reduce arm strength and limit mobility. Sometimes, the pain can radiate throughout the arm and wrist, causing extreme discomfort.

Care for Tennis Elbow and Golfer’s Elbow

A chiropractor can help to treat overuse injuries. Chiropractic adjustments relieve symptoms while correcting underlying issues that increase the risk of developing the conditions. The care can help to speed up healing.

Unlike other treatment options that focus on the elbow symptoms, chiropractic care targets the entire arm. This includes the wrist and shoulder to deal with cumulative trauma from repetitive motions.

Muscle and soft tissue therapy helps relieve muscle tightness and spasms. It often provides immediate and dramatic results.

Muscle release therapy helps reduce inflammation and relax muscle knots. These doctors also use active and passive stretching exercises, along with direct pressure. The exercises help to break up adhesions in the muscles and tendons.

Treatment Plan

A chiropractor will conduct a physical exam before treatment begins. The exam will help assess the injury’s extent and determine the best treatment plan. The most effective course of treatment may involve a combination of techniques, including:
 

• Spinal manipulation.
• Stretching exercises.
• Massage therapy.

The goal of chiropractic treatment is to:
 

• Reduce inflammation.
• Improve circulation.
• Promote overall healing.

Chiropractic adjustments help loosen the elbow joint, relieve pain, and restore proper movement. They can also increase the range of motion. The doctor may also recommend modifying certain activities or making temporary lifestyle adjustments.

For more information on the care of tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow, visit Wellness One Chiropractic. Our office is in Palm Coast, Florida. Call (386) 447-9930 to schedule an appointment today.