BEST Chiropractic Care for Tennis Elbow Near Winnipeg

 

What is Tennis Elbow?

Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is a painful condition that affects the tendons in the elbow. Despite its name, tennis elbow is not limited to tennis players and can occur in anyone who engages in repetitive arm and wrist motions, such as gripping, lifting, or twisting.

The condition typically develops when the tendons that attach to the outer part of the elbow become damaged or inflamed. These tendons connect the forearm muscles to the lateral epicondyle, which is the bony bump on the outer side of the elbow.

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Common Causes of Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow is often caused by overuse or repetitive stress on the tendons and muscles of the forearm, such as repetitive gripping or twisting, lifting heavy objects, or playing sports like tennis, hence the name. However, elbow symptoms can be triggered or exacerbated by a variety of activities that involve repetitive forearm and wrist movements.  Common activities that cause tennis elbow include:

  • Tennis and Other Racquet Sports – As the name suggests, one of the most obvious causes of tennis elbow is playing racquet sports like tennis, badminton, pickleball, and squash, particularly if you use improper technique or have an ill-fitting racket grip. Golf: The repetitive swinging motion in golf, especially if you have an improper grip or swing technique, can strain the forearm tendons and cause symptoms.
  • Weightlifting – Lifting heavy weights without proper form or excessive use of wrist flexors can strain the tendons and cause symptoms.
  • Technology Use – Prolonged typing, tapping, or using a touchpad or mouse with poor wrist posture and ergonomics can strain the forearm tendons.
  • Gardening and Yard Work – Activities like digging, raking, and pruning can involve repetitive hand and wrist movements that contribute to tennis elbow.
  • Cooking – Frequent chopping, cutting, and stirring motions in the kitchen can strain the forearm muscles and tendons.
  • Manual Labor – Jobs that involve repetitive manual labor, such as assembly line work, plumbing, painting, and construction, can increase the risk of developing tennis elbow.
  • DIY Home Repairs – Like manual labor jobs, engaging in do-it-yourself home repairs or renovations that involve frequent use of tools and repetitive motion can lead to tennis elbow.
  • Playing Musical Instruments – Musicians who play instruments like the violin, guitar, or drums may develop symptoms due to repetitive hand and wrist movements.
  • Shoveling Snow – The repetitive motion of shoveling snow, especially with improper technique, can strain the forearm muscles and tendons, leading to tennis elbow.

It’s important to note that while these activities can contribute to the development of tennis elbow, not everyone who engages in them will experience symptoms. The risk is higher for individuals who perform these actions frequently, with poor technique, or without adequate warmup, rest, and conditioning. Proper ergonomics, technique, and preventive measures can help reduce the risk of tennis elbow.

 

How Do I Know If I Have Tennis Elbow?

If you suspect you may have tennis elbow, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional to assess your condition and recommend appropriate treatment. Here are some common signs and symptoms of tennis elbow:

  • Outer Elbow Pain – The most common and obvious symptom of tennis elbow is pain and tenderness or sensitivity on the outer part of the elbow, specifically near the lateral epicondyle (the bony bump on the outer side of the elbow).
  • Gradual Onset of Pain – Tennis elbow pain often develops gradually over time. It may start as mild discomfort that worsens with continued use of the affected arm.
  • Pain with Grip and Wrist Extension – Pain is aggravated when you grip objects or perform activities that involve wrist extension (bending your wrist backward), such as lifting, gripping a racket, or using tools.
  • Weakness – You may notice a loss of strength in your affected arm, particularly when attempting to grip objects or perform tasks that require wrist and forearm strength.
  • Stiffness and Reduced Range of Motion – Some patients experience stiffness in the elbow joint and difficulty fully extending their forearm.
  • Pain that Radiates – Pain from tennis elbow may radiate down the forearm.

It’s important to remember that while these are common signs and symptoms of tennis elbow, there are a variety of other conditions that can cause similar symptoms. Proper diagnosis of your injuries will ensure greater success with treatment.

Tennis Elbow Treatment Near Me

Treatment for tennis elbow typically involves rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medications, chiropractic care, physical therapy, and exercises to strengthen the forearm muscles.

In more severe cases, a brace or splint may be recommended to immobilize the affected area, and corticosteroid injections may be helpful to reduce inflammation. Surgery is rarely necessary and is typically considered only when conservative therapies and treatments have failed.

Chiropractic Care For Tennis Elbow Near You

Chiropractic care is an effective treatment option for those suffering from tennis elbow. Our Winnipeg chiropractors will assess your pain and determine the root cause of your discomfort. Chiropractic treatment options for tennis elbow include:

  • Elbow and wrist adjustments to improve joint mobility and reduce joint compression and inflammation.
  • Identification of underlying causes of pain, including aligning the elbow joints correctly to enhance functionality and minimize the risk of injury.
  • Provide spinal adjustments to improve overall posture and positioning, preventing further injury and misalignment.
  • Proper joint alignment facilitates improved blood circulation, allowing oxygen-rich blood and essential nutrients to flow more effectively to the affected area, ultimately reducing inflammation.

Tennis elbow rarely resolves on its own. If left untreated, the pain can spread to the forearm and wrist. While temporary bracing can help prevent further deterioration of tennis elbow, it should be noted that it provides only temporary relief and is not a permanent solution. Chiropractic care offers a safe, medication-free, non-surgical option for patients who are seeking noninvasive and conservative treatment options for tennis elbow.

Tennis Elbow Prevention

Preventing tennis elbow involves adopting practices and habits that reduce the risk of overuse and strain on the tendons and muscles of the forearm and elbow. Here are some key strategies for preventing tennis elbow and other repetitive motion injuries:

  • Technique – Whether you’re playing a sport like tennis or engaging in activities that involve repetitive forearm and wrist movements, it’s crucial to use proper technique. Seek instruction and training to ensure you are using the correct form and biomechanics.
  • Proper Equipment – Ensure that your sports equipment, such as tennis rackets or golf clubs, is properly sized and suited to your skill level. An ill-fitting or heavy racket can increase the risk of injury.
  • Warm-Up, Stretching, and Strengthening – Always warm up your muscles with gentle exercises and stretches before engaging in activities that stress the forearm and elbow. Incorporate exercises to strengthen the muscles of the forearm and wrist to help improve muscle endurance and reduce the risk of strain.
  • Rest and Recovery – Allow your muscles and tendons to rest and recover between activities that stress the forearm. Avoid overdoing repetitive tasks, and take breaks when needed.
  • Ergonomics – Maintain proper ergonomics in your daily activities. Ensure that your computer workstation is set up correctly, and use ergonomically designed tools when possible in order to reduce strain on your forearm and wrist.
  • Grip – Choose equipment and tools with appropriate grip sizes. Using a grip that is too small or too large can increase the risk of injury. Also, practice using a relaxed grip rather than gripping tightly.
  • Ice and Rest – If you start to experience early signs of tennis elbow, such as mild pain, inflammation, or discomfort, apply ice to the affected area and give your forearm and elbow adequate rest and recovery time.
  • Professional Guidance and Coaching – If you participate in activities that put you at risk for tennis elbow or if you have recurring symptoms, consider consulting a coach, physical therapist, or healthcare professional for guidance on injury prevention and rehabilitation.

By incorporating preventive measures into your routine and being attentive to your body’s signals, you can reduce the risk of developing tennis elbow and maintain the health of your forearm and elbow muscles and tendons.

Winnipeg Chiropractor Near You

If you’d like to learn more about chiropractic treatment for tennis elbow or other repetitive motion injuries, contact the team at Maples Chiropractic today! Our experienced team offers a variety of treatment options, including chiropractic, massage, and acupuncture, to ensure our patients receive the best treatments for their individual needs. Don’t forget to check out our other services: Acupuncture, Massage Therapy,  Pregnancy Massage, Sciatica Treatment Options, Massage Therapy,  Exploring Relief Approaches, Migraine Management, Fibromyalgia, and Chiropractic Vertigo Treatment. 

 

Chiropractic Care for Tennis Elbow Near Winnipeg Reviews

“I came in to the clinic with a tennis elbow. Within a month that i was with them it made me feel a lot better. Service was good, nice people and very friendly!”
– Buff H., June 2022
Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(For more about what our clients say about us, click here.)