Tennis elbow treatment

Available at Lake Forest, San Diego, and Spring Valley

Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is pain on the outside of the elbow when the tendons of the forearm muscles become irritated from overuse, usually repeated wrist and hand movements. Chiropractic care may help with gentle adjustments of the elbow and wrist, soft tissue work, exercises and activity changes, with shockwave or laser therapy at the offices that offer them.

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When your elbow hurts

Tennis elbow develops when the tendons that connect your forearm muscles to the elbow become irritated or inflamed. Daily tasks, sports and repeated movements can bring on pain that gradually limits your grip strength and movement.

Our chiropractors look for the cause of your pain and build a care plan for you, from gentle adjustments and exercises to supportive braces and activity advice, aiming to reduce stress on the elbow while it heals. To get started, book a consultation with your nearest office.

What causes tennis elbow

Most of the muscles that extend your wrist attach to a bony bump on the outside of your elbow, called the lateral epicondyle.

With injury or overuse, the place where these muscles attach can become irritated or inflamed. This is lateral epicondylitis, or tennis elbow, although most people who have it do not play tennis.

Activities that cause or aggravate it

The most common cause is an activity with repeated wrist extension, such as tennis, carpentry, bricklaying, knitting, playing piano, typing or lifting with your palm facing down. It is much more likely in your dominant arm.

Pain usually starts as an on-and-off or gradual ache during activity and can progress until even simple tasks, like holding a coffee cup, hurt. Straightening your arm, gripping a doorknob or shaking hands may make it worse. Pain ranges from mild to severe and often spreads into the forearm, sometimes to the wrist.

How tennis elbow is treated

Without care, tennis elbow often lingers for a long time. The first step is usually to change or pause the activities that cause your symptoms. At night, avoid sleeping with your elbow bent under your pillow. Try not to lift heavy objects with your palm facing down. Tennis or racquetball players may need a lighter racket or a smaller grip.

Care may include gentle adjustments of the elbow and wrist, soft tissue work and exercises to strengthen the forearm. Your chiropractor may suggest a counterforce brace, which acts as a temporary new attachment point for the muscles and reduces stress on the elbow, and home ice massage. Be patient with your recovery.

For tennis elbow that has not settled with standard care, shockwave therapy is offered at Lake Forest and San Diego and laser therapy at Lake Forest.

Care that may be part of your plan

Your chiropractor recommends care after your exam. Some therapies are offered only at certain offices.

Book a visit for tennis elbow

Tennis elbow is treated at all 3 Greenlight offices.

Your questions,
answered

About tennis elbow care at Greenlight.

Do I have to play tennis to get tennis elbow?

No. Most people with tennis elbow do not play tennis. Any activity with repeated wrist extension or gripping, such as typing, carpentry or lifting with your palm down, can cause it.

Which offices offer shockwave and laser for tennis elbow?

Shockwave therapy is offered at Lake Forest and San Diego. Laser therapy is offered at Lake Forest. Adjustments, soft tissue work and exercise are available at all three offices.

Will a brace help?

A counterforce brace worn just below the elbow can reduce stress on the irritated tendon during activity. Your chiropractor can advise whether one suits you.

How long does tennis elbow take to heal?

It varies and can take a while, especially if the activity that caused it continues. Changing how you grip and lift, and doing your exercises, helps.

What can I do at home?

Avoid lifting with your palm down, do not sleep with your elbow bent under the pillow, use ice massage and do the exercises your chiropractor gives you.