Tennis elbow is a relatively common condition characterized by pain and tenderness on the outer part of the elbow. Despite its name, tennis elbow does not only affect tennis players; anyone who engages in repetitive arm movements can develop this uncomfortable condition. If you’re looking for lasting relief from tennis elbow, you might also consider chiropractic care. A chiropractor for tennis elbow takes a holistic approach to your health and wellbeing, focusing on the musculoskeletal system’s alignment and function. In addressing tennis elbow, chiropractors aim to alleviate pain, improve range of motion, and restore optimal function to the affected area through manual therapies, corrective exercises, and lifestyle recommendations. Let’s explore this integrative approach that can offer a comprehensive solution to managing and recovering from tennis elbow.
Symptoms of Tennis Elbow
Here are the signs and symptoms that you might be dealing with tennis elbow:
- Pain: The primary symptom of tennis elbow is pain, typically located on the outer part of the elbow. This elbow pain can range from mild to severe and appear or get worse during activities that involve gripping, lifting, or wrist movement.
- Tenderness: Along with pain, there is often tenderness when pressure is applied to the outer side of the affected elbow. The bony bump on the outer side of the elbow is known as the lateral epicondyle.
- Weakness: Some people with tennis elbow may also experience weakness in the affected arm. This weakness can make it difficult to perform tasks that require gripping or lifting objects.
- Stiffness: Stiffness around the elbow joint is another common symptom of tennis elbow. This stiffness can contribute to a reduced range of motion in the affected arm.
- Radiating Pain: The pain from tennis elbow may radiate down the forearm, from the elbow towards the wrist. This radiating pain can worsen with certain movements or activities.
- Pain Aggravation: Activities such as shaking hands, turning a doorknob, lifting weights, or using tools like a screwdriver can aggravate the pain associated with tennis elbow.
- Swelling: In some cases, you may also experience swelling around the elbow joint.
Common Causes of Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is typically caused by repetitive stress or overuse of the forearm muscles and tendons. Common causes include:
- Repetitive Arm Movements: Activities that involve repetitive wrist extension and forearm rotation, such as backhand strokes in tennis, painting, typing, using a screwdriver, or cutting with scissors, can strain the tendons around the elbow.
- Improper Technique: Using poor technique or incorrect equipment during sports and activities can increase the risk of developing tennis elbow. For example, using a tennis racket with a grip that is too small or too tight can strain the tendons in the forearm.
- Excessive Force: Engaging in activities that require excessive force, such as lifting heavy objects or using heavy tools, can put too much strain on the forearm muscles and tendons, leading to microtears and inflammation in the arm and elbow areas.
- Muscle Imbalance: Imbalances in the muscles of the forearm and wrist can contribute to the development of tennis elbow. Weakness or tightness in certain muscles can increase stress on the tendons around the elbow joint.
- Age and Overuse: As people age, the tendons become less flexible and more prone to injury. Overuse of the forearm muscles over time can lead to wear and tear on the tendons, increasing the risk of developing tennis elbow.
- Sudden Increase in Activity: A sudden increase in the intensity or duration of an activity, such as starting a new exercise regimen or increasing the frequency of playing sports, can overload the tendons and lead to tennis elbow.
How a Chiropractor Can Help with Tennis Elbow
You may be wondering, “Can a chiropractor help with tennis elbow?” Chiropractic care can offer several benefits for people dealing with tennis elbow. Here are a few examples:
Pain Relief
Chiropractors utilize various manual techniques, including spinal adjustments, soft tissue therapy, and mobilization, to alleviate pain and other symptoms with tennis elbow. By targeting the affected areas and restoring proper alignment and function to the musculoskeletal system, chiropractic adjustments can help reduce pain and discomfort. Applying therapies like cold and heat for tennis elbow can also provide pain relief.
Improved Range of Motion
Restricted movement is a common issue with tennis elbow. Chiropractors can help improve the range of motion in the affected elbow joint through targeted adjustments and exercises. By restoring proper alignment and reducing inflammation, chiropractic care can enhance flexibility and mobility, helping you perform daily activities and participate in sports with greater ease.
Enhanced Healing
Chiropractic care focuses on optimizing your body’s natural healing abilities. By addressing underlying imbalances and dysfunctions in the musculoskeletal system, a tennis elbow chiropractor can better support the healing process. This can include promoting better circulation, reducing inflammation, and stimulating tissue repair, leading to faster recovery and improved outcomes.
Preventative Care
Chiropractors not only treat existing injuries but also provide preventative care to reduce the risk of future injuries. Through patient education, ergonomic assessments, and personalized exercise programs, chiropractors can help you identify and address biomechanical issues that contribute to tennis elbow. By improving posture, technique, and muscle balance, chiropractic care can help prevent the recurrence of tennis elbow and other overuse injuries.
Holistic Approach
Chiropractic care takes a holistic approach to wellness and the interconnectedness of the body’s systems. In addition to addressing the physical aspects of tennis elbow, chiropractors may also focus on lifestyle factors, including nutrition and stress management, to support your overall health and wellbeing. By addressing the root causes of tennis elbow and promoting whole-body wellness, chiropractic care can provide long-term benefits beyond just symptom relief.
Drug-Free Treatment
Chiropractic care offers an all-natural, drug-free approach to managing tennis elbow. While medications such as pain relievers or anti-inflammatories may provide temporary relief, they do not address the underlying issues. By promoting the body’s innate ability to heal itself, chiropractic care provides a safe and effective alternative to medication-based treatments. This drug-free approach reduces the risk of potential side effects and dependency associated with pain medications, making it the best tennis elbow treatment for many people seeking holistic solutions for tennis elbow.
Comprehensive Care for Tennis Elbow
Visit AICA Orthopedics in Conyers, your one-stop shop for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation from tennis elbow and other overuse injuries. Our Conyers chiropractors partner with physical therapists, orthopedic doctors, and other specialists all in one convenient location for effective treatment options. Don’t let the pain and discomfort of tennis elbow keep you from living your best life; get started with a Conyers chiropractor at AICA Orthopedics today.