Tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, or just a pain in the elbow is an excruciating and annoying condition. If you’re not a tennis player or golfer, don’t think you’re off the hook. Elbow pain can also affect construction workers, violinists, bikers, and much more.
While medication and surgery are sometimes options for treatment, chiropractic provides a non-invasive, effective way to relieve golfer’s elbow without the many potential side effects of surgery and prescription medications.
What causes elbow pain?
- Dislocated elbow
- Fractured elbow
- Strains and sprains
- Bursitis: Often provoked by repeating the same motion repeatedly, other causes of bursitis include an infection or an accident. Bursa are small fluid-filled sacs that live in our joints to help cushion our bones, tendons, and muscles. They also help skin slide over bone. But they can also start to swell and cause pain.
- Tennis elbow/golfer’s elbow: These are both types of tendinopathy or tendinosis, which means there is damage in the tendons around the elbow from overuse. Despite their names, these injuries are not just limited to golfers and tennis players. You are, however, more likely to get these injuries based on the arm motions used in tennis and golf. The primary difference between the two is that tennis elbow affects the outside of the elbow, and golfer’s elbow affects the inside of the elbow. Tennis elbow pain usually starts small and slowly increases, although occasionally the pain appears suddenly. With tennis elbow, it can hurt to shake hands or squeeze objects.
- Trapped nerves: Think of this as carpal tunnel syndrome in the elbow. Cubital tunnel syndrome occurs when one of the arm’s primary nerves, (the ulnar nerve) gets squeezed as it runs along the inside of the elbow and passes through tissue called the cubital tunnel. This can result in burning or numbness in the hand, arm, and 4th and 5th fingers. Another syndrome that causes trapped nerves and elbow pain is radial tunnel syndrome, as a similar issue arises with the radial nerve as it passes through the radial tunnel near the outside of the elbow. This condition results in burning or numbness on the outside forearm and elbow.
- Stress fractures: A stress fracture is a small crack in one of the arm bones, usually from overuse. These are most common in the lower legs and feet, but athletes who throw a lot, like baseball pitchers, can get them in the elbow, too. The pain typically worsens with throwing.
- Arthritis: Many types of arthritis can affect the elbow, but the main ones are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. In fact, rheumatoid arthritis is the most common type of arthritis in the elbow. The immune system attacks the body’s healthy tissue and causes the joints to swell. Osteoarthritis occurs when the elbow cartilage breaks down over time, which means the bones rub together, causing pain and stiffness.
How can a chiropractor treat elbow pain?
Seeking chiropractic treatment for elbow pain is an excellent way to manage the pain, heal the injury, and relieve swelling. When you visit our team of St. Peters chiropractors for elbow pain, we will deliver a gentle, non-invasive therapy called a chiropractic adjustment. These adjustments decrease joint restrictions or misalignments in the spine and other joints to reduce inflammation and improve both the affected joint and nervous system’s function. When you increase joint mobility and improve your nervous system function and spinal health, your body will be better equipped to manage symptoms associated with elbow pain.
Some of the benefits of chiropractic care for people suffering from elbow pain include:
- Reduced pain and discomfort
- Decreased inflammation
- Improved range of motion
- Improved flexibility
- Increased muscle tone and strength
If you’re experiencing elbow pain and live near St Peters, MO and want to learn more about how our chiropractors can work with you to treat it, contact us today at 636-928-5588. Our team of experienced St. Peters chiropractors uses a unique blend of the best chiropractic, acupuncture, laser, massage, wellness, and nutrition-related services to offer various solutions to enhance your health.
