Elbow pain can significantly impact your daily life, making simple tasks a challenge. Whether it's tennis elbow or golfer's Elbow, understanding the differences and seeking effective treatment is crucial. Chiropractic care offers a natural, holistic approach to alleviate elbow pain by addressing the root causes.
When it comes to elbow pain, two common conditions people experience are tennis elbow and golfer's Elbow. Despite their names, you don't have to play tennis or golf to develop these conditions. Both involve inflammation in the tendons around the Elbow, but they occur on different sides of the joint and have other causes.
What is Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow, or Lateral Epicondylitis, is a condition that causes pain and tenderness on the outside of the Elbow. Often, it originates from repeated motions of the wrist and arm, resulting in the overuse of the muscles and tendons in the Elbow.
Common Symptoms of Tennis Elbow
If you have tennis elbow, you might notice discomfort that worsens with gripping or lifting objects. The following symptoms are commonly associated with this condition:
- Pain or burning sensation on the outer side of the Elbow
- Weak grip strength or difficulty holding objects
- Pain that worsens with activities that involve gripping, lifting, or twisting motions
What causes Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow develops due to repeated stress on the forearm muscles and tendons. Some of the most common causes include:
- Repetitive wrist extension and forearm supination
- Overuse of the wrist extensor muscles
- Activities like painting, typing, and specific manual labor tasks
What is Golfer's Elbow?
Golfer's Elbow, or medial epicondylitis, affects the inner side of the Elbow. It occurs when the tendons that attach to the medial epicondyle (the bony bump on the inside of the Elbow) become irritated and inflamed. This condition is similar to tennis elbow but with the pain on the opposite side of the elbow joint.
Common symptoms of Golfer's Elbow
Golfer's Elbow presents similarly to tennis elbow, but instead the pain is focused on the inner side of the Elbow. Here are some symptoms you might experience:
- Pain or tenderness on the inside of the Elbow
- Pain that may radiate down the forearm
- Weakness in the hands and wrists
- Stiffness in the elbow joint
- Pain that worsens with gripping, twisting motions, or lifting
What causes Golfer's Elbow?
This condition often stems from repetitive stress on the forearm muscles that control wrist and finger movement. Some of the most common causes include:
- Repetitive wrist flexion and forearm pronation
- Overuse of the wrist flexor muscles
- Activities like golfing, weightlifting, and hammering
How Chiropractic Care Can Help:
Chiropractic care offers a non-surgical approach to treating tennis and golfer's Elbow, focusing on the musculoskeletal system to address the underlying issues. Although tennis elbow and golfer's Elbow may appear to be isolated elbow conditions, the source of pain often originates elsewhere in the body. Misalignment in the spine, poor posture, or muscle dysfunction can place additional strain on the elbow joint, leading to the development of these conditions. Studies have shown that joint manipulation, both at the Elbow or wrist and the cervical or thoracic spine, can lead to improvements in pain and motor function in individuals with tennis elbow (1).
Chiropractic care focuses on improving spinal alignment and restoring proper movement mechanics. By addressing the root cause of elbow pain, chiropractic care can provide long-lasting relief and reduce the chances of re-injury.
Chiropractic Treatments for Tennis Elbow and Golfer's Elbow:
- Spinal Adjustments: Chiropractic adjustments to the neck, spine, and shoulder can improve alignment, reducing tension in the upper body and relieving pressure on the Elbow.
- Posture Correction: By correcting posture and realigning the spine, chiropractors can help reduce strain on the muscles and tendons involved in tennis elbow and Golfer's Elbow. Better posture prevents unnecessary stress on the elbow joint during daily activities and repetitive motions.
- Rehabilitation Exercises: Strengthening and stretching the affected muscles improve flexibility and prevent future injuries.
- Lifestyle modifications: Small changes in posture, workspace setup, or sports technique can help reduce strain on the Elbow.
References:
(1) Vicenzino B, Cleland JA, Bisset L. Joint manipulation in the management of lateral epicondylalgia: a clinical commentary. J Man Manip Ther. 2007;15(1):50-6. doi: 10.1179/106698107791090132. PMID: 19066643; PMCID: PMC2565595.