Tennis Elbow Treatment
What is tennis elbow?
Don't be fooled by the name – you can develop tennis elbow without ever picking up a racket. A professional cleaner spends each day vacuuming, scrubbing, and sweeping. These repetitive motions could lead to an elbow injury that makes it painful to even turn a doorknob or hold a cup of coffee.
Symptoms of tennis elbow include:
Symptoms of tennis elbow include:
Elbow Pain
A slow-growing pain around the outside of the elbow
Weak Grip
Pain worsens when squeezing objects or shaking hands
Pain From Wrist Motion
Pain increases when holding the wrist stiff or moving it with force
The symptoms of tennis elbow are usually most painful with forearm activity, such as holding a racket, using a knife, sweeping a broom, or shaking hands. Seeing a chiropractor can stop your injury from interfering with your daily life.
A more catchy name than "butcher's elbow"
Why is it called tennis elbow? Tennis elbow, sometimes called golfer's elbow, is an overuse injury that is not just limited to playing tennis. Although it does affect 10 to 50% of tennis players at some time in their career, this injury can be experienced by people in several other fields (Source).
Anyone whose work involves repetitive motions with their hands day after day is susceptible to developing tennis elbow. It can affect both arms, but most commonly your dominant arm. It is more often developed by men ages 30 to 50.
- Baseball players
- Bowlers
- Butchers and cooks
- Carpenters and painters
- Construction workers
- Factory and assembly line workers
- Garden and lawn workers
- Golfers
- Mechanics
- Musicians
- Plumbers
- Professional cleaners
- And more
Anyone whose work involves repetitive motions with their hands day after day is susceptible to developing tennis elbow. It can affect both arms, but most commonly your dominant arm. It is more often developed by men ages 30 to 50.
What is the best treatment for tennis elbow?
The most common treatments for tennis elbow symptoms include icing, immobilization, anti-inflammatory drugs, or steroid injections.
Chiropractic care is an alternative treatment method to shots and overuse of pain medications. Our gentle, non-invasive care is similar to physical therapy in that it not only treats your injury but also educates you on how to prevent future injuries.
Chiropractic care is an alternative treatment method to shots and overuse of pain medications. Our gentle, non-invasive care is similar to physical therapy in that it not only treats your injury but also educates you on how to prevent future injuries.
How can a chiropractor help with tennis elbow?
During your first visit to our office, you will complete a physical exam and medical history. Your chiropractor uses this information to properly diagnose your injury and develop a treatment plan specifically for you.
According to the American Chiropractic Association, few tennis elbow treatments are effective 100% of the time, so it is important for chiropractors to combine multiple methods in their treatment plans (Source).
Your chiropractor may use one or several of the following techniques and activities for treatment:
You do not need a referral from a general physician to see a chiropractor. Many health insurance plans are beginning to cover chiropractic treatment. There shouldn't be anything holding you back from getting the pain relief you need to live your life fully.
According to the American Chiropractic Association, few tennis elbow treatments are effective 100% of the time, so it is important for chiropractors to combine multiple methods in their treatment plans (Source).
Your chiropractor may use one or several of the following techniques and activities for treatment:
- Spinal manipulation
- Myofascial release or massage
- Cold laser therapy
- Dry needling or acupuncture
- Ultrasound therapy
- Wrist stretches
- Range of motion exercises
- Grip strengthening exercises
You do not need a referral from a general physician to see a chiropractor. Many health insurance plans are beginning to cover chiropractic treatment. There shouldn't be anything holding you back from getting the pain relief you need to live your life fully.
Preventing future injury
One of the ultimate goals of chiropractic is helping you achieve wellness and pain-free living. Simply curing the elbow pain resulting from your job or hobby will not be helpful in the long run if you still participate in the activities that led to the injury in the first place.
This is why chiropractors provide education and follow-up care. A doctor of chiropractic will identify the cause of your injury and offer suggested adjustments that you can make to your actions – like improving your tennis swing.
As well as these tips, your chiropractor is also likely to give you tennis elbow treatment exercises to complete at home. Proper stretching can help keep your injury from returning.
This is why chiropractors provide education and follow-up care. A doctor of chiropractic will identify the cause of your injury and offer suggested adjustments that you can make to your actions – like improving your tennis swing.
As well as these tips, your chiropractor is also likely to give you tennis elbow treatment exercises to complete at home. Proper stretching can help keep your injury from returning.