Elbow pain is a common condition that can significantly impact your daily life and hinder your ability to perform even the simplest tasks. Whether you’re an athlete, an office worker, or someone who engages in repetitive activities, elbow pain can arise due to various factors. In this blog post, we will explore the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for elbow pain, providing you with valuable insights to better understand and manage this discomforting condition. It is the first of three with regards to elbow pain as there are several different conditions associated with it for us to share.
At Chirolink we often have patients coming in for their regular treatment and then mention that they’ve been struggling with elbow pain. When the elbow gets acutely inflamed it can be incredibly frustrating purely because we use our elbows for almost every daily task. As we have seen so many people with elbow conditions due to different reasons, all we need to do to look up a Case Study is to look at our files.
The first two conditions we will discuss are the Tennis elbow and the Golfer’s elbow.
Tennis elbow
For the last 15 years, Rebecca has loved to make sure her garden looks photo-ready and has ensured she gets out maintaining it a few times a week. In the last month or so, for the first time, she has been in too much pain to do it. The outside of her elbow had started niggling and with each week it progressively got worse. Rebecca mentioned this to us at Chirolink while she was at her regular appointment, and we immediately set to work. After two months of treatment and a few specific recommendations she got so much better.
Tennis elbow, also known as Lateral Epicondylitis, is a common condition that affects the tendons on the outside of the elbow. Despite its name, it can occur in individuals who do not play tennis.
There are a variety of causes of tennis elbow, but it typically includes repetitive and strenuous activities that strain the muscles and tendons in the forearm. While tennis players are more prone to developing this condition due to the repetitive motion involved in their sport, it can also occur in individuals who engage in other activities such as typing, gardening, or using hand tools extensively.
The most common symptom is pain and tenderness on the outer part of the elbow. The pain may radiate down the forearm and worsen with gripping or lifting objects. Other symptoms include weakness in the affected arm, difficulty in fully extending the arm, and discomfort when performing everyday tasks such as opening a door or shaking hands.
Golfer’s elbow
At 57 years old, Gerry has finally caved to his brother’s wishes and has recently started playing golf. Since he started about two months ago, he’s progressively had some pain on the inside of his elbow that spreads down his forearm. It feels worse when he plays golf particularly when he plays on a cold day. After he came to see us at Chirolink, we diagnosed him with Golfer’s elbow, or medial epicondylitis, and arranged a treatment plan for him.
Golfer’s elbow, also known as Medial Epicondylitis, is like tennis elbow except that it firstly, affects the tendons on the inside of the elbow and secondly, is a less common condition. But as with tennis elbow, the name implies that the condition is sport-specific, which it is not.
Golfer’s elbow is a type of tendinitis that causes pain and inflammation in the tendons connecting the forearm muscles to the inside of the elbow. Despite the name Golfer’s elbow, this condition can affect not only golfers but also individuals who perform repetitive motions involving the wrist and forearm, such as tennis players, carpenters, and painters.
The primary cause of the golfer’s elbow is overuse or repetitive stress on the tendons. This can result from frequent swinging, gripping, or flexing of the wrist, leading to tiny tears in the tendon and subsequent inflammation. The tendon undergoes stress and strain resulting in repetitive micro-tearing. Additionally, poor swing technique, improper equipment, and inadequate warm-up can contribute to the development of this condition.
The most common symptom is pain and tenderness on the inside of the elbow, which may radiate down the forearm. The pain may worsen with gripping or lifting objects, making everyday activities challenging and affecting sports performance. Gerry was much better after 6 sessions of treatments.
The next question may be ‘How do we treat this?’
Both medial and lateral tendinitis are treated in the same manner, although by targeting their respective tendons.
In Chiropractic, what we know is that when there is any tissue compromised in one part of the biomechanical chain, there is always compromise higher up and lower down as compensation. Both need to be resolved for a full recovery. As Chiropractors, we assess and correct any subluxations related to the spine and extremities to restore optimal nerve function and movement of the joint and soft tissue. This provides the groundwork to give the body the best chance at healing.
Treatment of tendinitis requires a combination approach. This includes physical treatment of the full biomechanical chain, gentle soft tissue work of the affected muscles, and activity modification. Ice application can be used to reduce immediate inflammation of the tendons at the elbow along with heat application to the forearm muscles. Resting the affected arm and avoiding activities that aggravate the condition is crucial for recovery. Modifying techniques or ergonomic tools can also reduce strain on the tendon. Wearing a brace around the forearm during specified activities can help provide support and relieve stress on the tendons. The braces that are specifically made for tennis elbow are designed to alter the fulcrum at which the tendon pulls. This reduces the amount of tension or activity occurring in the inflamed tissue. Finally, exercises to strengthen the forearm and stretches to improve flexibility in the tissues are crucial. In severe cases, medical intervention is required.
If you are suffering from elbow pain, it is important to get it examined by your Chiropractor for accurate diagnosis. This will typically include an extensive history, physical examination and possibly ordering of imaging such as x-ray or ultrasound.
By understanding the causes, recognizing the symptoms, and following preventative measures, such as proper technique, warming up adequately, and seeking professional help, you can effectively manage and prevent these two conditions. Remember, a proactive approach to your health and well-being is vital for enjoying your favourite activities pain-free.
To find out more about the other various causes of elbow pain, keep a look out for our second blog post that is coming out soon !