Elbow pain is a condition that can range from a minor nuisance to a genuinely debilitating problem that affects your ability to work, exercise, and perform basic daily tasks. Gripping, lifting, typing, and even shaking hands can become painful when the elbow is not functioning correctly. Like many extremity conditions, elbow pain frequently has a cervical spine component that local treatment alone will not address.
Dr. Jeff Brown has been evaluating and treating elbow pain in Greenville for over 40 years. His approach examines the full pathway from the cervical spine through the shoulder and into the elbow to ensure that all contributing factors are identified before treatment begins.
Common Causes of Elbow Pain
Elbow pain can originate from the joint itself, the surrounding soft tissue, or from nerve compression higher up in the cervical spine or shoulder that refers symptoms into the elbow.
Common causes include:
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Lateral epicondylitis, commonly known as tennis elbow
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Medial epicondylitis, commonly known as golfer's elbow
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Olecranon bursitis and joint inflammation
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Cervical nerve root compression referring pain into the elbow and forearm
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Ulnar nerve compression at the elbow producing pain and tingling into the ring and little fingers
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Repetitive strain from occupational or athletic activity
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Direct trauma from a fall or impact
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Auto accident injuries affecting the elbow through bracing for impact
Tennis Elbow and Golfer's Elbow
Tennis elbow and golfer's elbow are the two most common elbow conditions seen in chiropractic practice. Despite their names, neither condition is limited to athletes. Both are repetitive strain injuries that develop from overuse of the forearm muscles that attach to the elbow.
Tennis elbow affects the outer aspect of the elbow where the extensor muscles of the forearm attach to the lateral epicondyle. It is common in people whose work or sport involves gripping, twisting, or repetitive wrist extension. Golfer's elbow affects the inner aspect of the elbow where the flexor muscles attach to the medial epicondyle and is associated with repetitive gripping and wrist flexion activities.
Both conditions respond well to chiropractic care that addresses the local tissue injury and any contributing factors in the cervical spine and shoulder.
The Cervical Spine Connection
The nerves that supply the elbow and forearm originate in the lower cervical spine. Compression or irritation of those nerve roots from a disc problem or spinal misalignment in the neck can produce pain, numbness, and tingling that travels down the arm and into the elbow.
This cervical contribution is frequently overlooked when elbow pain is treated in isolation. Dr. Brown evaluates the cervical spine in all elbow pain patients to ensure that any spinal component is identified and included in the treatment plan.
How We Treat Elbow Pain
Treatment for elbow pain at Brown Chiropractic Center addresses both the local elbow condition and any contributing factors in the cervical spine and upper extremity. Depending on your examination findings, care may include cervical chiropractic adjustments to address nerve root compression contributing to elbow symptoms, elbow joint adjustments and mobilization when the joint itself is involved, cold laser therapy directed at the elbow to reduce inflammation and promote healing in the affected tendons and soft tissue, therapeutic ultrasound for deep tissue treatment around the joint, and high voltage galvanism for pain control and muscle relaxation in the forearm and elbow region.
When to Seek Care
Elbow pain that has been present for more than a few days, is getting worse rather than better, or is accompanied by numbness or tingling into the forearm or hand warrants professional evaluation.
Dr. Brown will give you a clear picture of what is causing your elbow pain and an honest recommendation about what chiropractic care can accomplish for your specific situation.
