If you have ever felt that nagging, persistent pain on the outside of your elbow, you know how frustrating tennis elbow can be. Despite its name, you do not have to be a tennis player to suffer from it.
This condition, known as lateral epicondylitis, comes from repetitive strain on the forearm muscles. It can make simple tasks like lifting a cup of tea or opening a door feel painful.
While it is easy to focus on the elbow as the source of the problem, at Copa Chiropractic, we take a broader view. We understand that your body is an interconnected system, and often, the pain you feel in one area is a symptom of an issue somewhere else.
Our goal is, through chiropractic, to find and address the root cause of your discomfort.
Pain in your elbow does not always start in the elbow. The nerves that control your forearm muscles originate in your neck.
If there are misalignments or restrictions in the joints of your neck or upper back, it can interfere with the nerve signals travelling to your arm. This can lead to muscle weakness and tightness in the forearm, placing extra strain on the tendons in your elbow.
During your chiropractic visit, we will perform a comprehensive assessment that includes your neck, shoulder, and wrist. By examining the entire kinetic chain, we can identify any underlying issues that may be contributing to the strain on your elbow.
When a joint is not moving correctly, the surrounding muscles and tendons have to work harder to compensate. This can lead to inflammation and pain.
Tennis elbow is often associated with restricted movement in the elbow joint itself, as well as in the wrist and even the shoulder. We use gentle, specific adjustments to restore proper motion to these joints.
By ensuring your elbow and wrist are moving freely, we can help to reduce the strain on the inflamed tendon. Chiropractic adjustments to the spine can also help to improve nerve function, allowing the muscles in your arm to work more efficiently.
The pain of tennis elbow is caused by inflammation in the tendon that attaches your forearm muscles to the bony bump on the outside of your elbow. These muscles can become incredibly tight due to overuse or improper mechanics.
As part of our approach, we use various soft tissue chiropractic techniques to release tension in the forearm muscles. Easing this tightness reduces the constant pulling force on the inflamed tendon, which provides relief and creates an environment where the tendon can heal properly.
Our care extends beyond your appointments in the clinic. We are passionate about empowering you with the tools you need to support your own health.
We will provide you with tailored advice on gentle stretches and strengthening exercises for your forearm and wrist. We may also discuss small modifications you can make to your daily activities or workspace to prevent the issue from coming back.
If you are dealing with elbow pain and are looking for an approach that considers your whole body, our team at Copa Chiropractic is here to help. We are committed to finding the underlying cause of your problem and helping you get back to doing the things you love, pain-free.
