Golf or tennis elbow might sound like a sports injury, but you don’t need to be a player to experience this chronic painful condition. Named for the area of the arm that swings a racket or a driver, anyone who performs repetitive tasks with their elbow, such as musicians, office workers, and many others, can suffer from golf or tennis elbow. This condition can cause chronic pain in the elbow joint that often will not go away without treatment.

What is golf or tennis elbow?

Tennis elbow or golf elbow are conditions with similar symptoms caused by repetitive use of the elbow. Although they are closely related, each condition is different primarily due to the location of the pain and inflammation.

Golf elbow causes pain and irritation on the inside of the elbow due to inflammation in the tendons that connect the muscles of the forearm to the inside of the elbow. Meanwhile, tennis elbow causes pain and irritation on the outside of the elbow due to inflammation of the tendons that join the muscles of the forearm to the inside of the elbow.

Although these conditions are called golf elbow and tennis elbow, golf and tennis players are only a small percentage of the individuals who suffer from these conditions. Anyone who overuses their elbow in a way similar to golf and tennis players may develop the condition. Office workers who use computer mice, assembly line workers, painters, weightlifters, and many others are vulnerable to developing these conditions.

What are the most common symptoms of golf/tennis elbow?

Common symptoms of golfer’s elbow are pain on the inside of the elbow which can extend down the forearm. It can also cause stiffness in the elbow, numbness and tingling in your fingers, and weakness in your hands and wrist.

One of the symptoms of tennis elbow is pain on the outside of the elbow, which may radiate down the forearm if you are bending or lifting your arm. It can also cause pain when you grip a small object, fully extend your arm, or twist your forearm. Tennis elbow may also cause you to have a weak grip, numbness, and tingling in your fingers.

What causes golf elbow or tennis elbow?

Golf and tennis elbow are types of tendonitis. They are both caused by overuse of the elbow and commonly occur in people who perform repeated activities involving the muscles in the forearm. However, injury may also cause this issue.

How can golf/tennis elbow impact your daily life?

Golf or tennis elbow can have a significant impact on daily life. Either of these conditions can make it painful to do everyday activities, from lifting a child to picking up a cup of coffee, opening a door, typing a report, or even using a basic tool like a hammer or drill. In more severe cases, an individual may be unable to complete some activities due to the weakness these conditions can cause. It becomes a serious problem if the pain or weakness affects activities that are part of your job, which is very likely if the injury arises in the first place from motions performed at work.

What are common treatments for golf/tennis elbow?

Rest is often the first course of therapy recommended because it stops the activity which caused the condition from further damaging the area. Another very common treatment for these conditions is ice. Using ice packs can sometimes reduce the inflammation and pain these conditions cause. In some cases, doctors recommend that ice and heat be alternated as a part of the treatment. A brace may also be recommended to help you in your daily activities and you may also be asked to do exercises to stretch and strengthen the muscles in the injured area.

Medication is often prescribed to sufferers. Over-the-counter pain relievers, like aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen sodium will mask the pain temporarily, but these drugs do not address the underlying cause of the pain. Cortisone injections are sometimes given to reduce inflammation and help relieve pain. However, these injections are not a long-term solution. Surgery is not generally used to treat golf or tennis elbow. However, if the condition is severe enough, it can be used to remove scar tissue and repair the tendon.

What are the drawbacks/side effects of traditional treatments?

Traditional treatments, such as the use of non-steroidal pain medications and cortisone injections, can have side effects. Non-steroidal painkillers can cause side effects such as stomach irritation and drowsiness. Long-term use can put patients at a greater risk of kidney damage and heart problems. Cortisone injections can possibly cause fatigue, insomnia, nerve damage, and possible damage to the joint, as well as other side effects.

How can chiropractic care help alleviate the symptoms of golf/tennis elbow?

Chiropractic care can be useful for dealing with the symptoms of golf elbow and tennis elbow. Oakland Spine & Physical Therapy chiropractors have safe techniques that can help alleviate the symptoms of these conditions, and they can be used in addition to traditional treatments if you would like. Our chiropractors use several treatments when addressing these conditions, including:

• Joint Manipulation: Our highly-trained chiropractorsuse joint manipulation techniques to help reduce pain along with increasing range of motion.
• Soft Tissue Therapy: With multiple options such as deep massage, myofascial release, and trigger point therapy, our chiropractors work the area to reduce inflammation, providing much needed pain relief.
• Exercises: Our team of physical therapists can help you perform targeted exercises which stretch the region and help to build strength, improve flexibility, and promote healing. This can help improve your elbow function.
• Lifestyle Adjustment Recommendations: We can help you to adjust your lifestyle to encourage healing of the elbow area. This may include changes to the equipment you use, whether for your job or recreational activities. Additionally, our team can teach you a better way to lift and carry objects and recommend changes in your posture. These and other suggestions can help decrease the risk of further elbow problems.

Whether you’re an avid sports player or lead a more sedate lifestyle, tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow can put a damper on your life, limiting your function and getting in the way of your everyday life. Before resorting to painkillers or injections, consider a natural, non-invasive option with Oakland Spine & Physical Therapy. We take a holistic approach and treat you as a whole person with individual needs. Allow us to help you to better heal!