Tennis Elbow Treatment in Chicago
Tennis Elbow: 3 Highly Effective Treatment Options at Ravenswood Chiropractic in Chicago
Tennis elbow is a common condition that causes pain and discomfort in the outer part of the elbow. It is often caused by overuse or repetitive strain, mainly from activities like playing racquet sports or performing manual labor. We will discuss the symptoms, causes, and treatments for tennis elbow to help you better understand and manage this condition.
What is Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is a condition that causes pain and tenderness in the outer part of the elbow. The pain may extend down to the forearm or wrist and can be aggravated by specific movements, such as gripping or lifting. This condition is often caused by overuse or repetitive strain of the tendons that attach to the outside portion of the elbow joint of the forearm extensors. As a result, anything from micro trauma to full-thickness tearing can occur. While it is commonly associated with playing tennis, anyone who performs activities that involve repetitive gripping or use of the forearm muscles can develop tennis elbow.
Treatment options for tennis elbow start with rest, ice, and avoiding activities that cause pain. Treatment is usually necessary if the pain is intense or lasts over two weeks. At Ravenswood Chiropractic in Chicago, we layer Chiropractic, Physical Therapy, Massage (myofascial release), Acupuncture, and Radial Shockwave Therapy treatments according to the severity of your Tennis Elbow and your preference. Rarely in our office have we seen the need for surgery.
Our treatment aims to get you back to playing your sport or doing the activities you want to do as quickly as possible without pain or furthering your injury while reducing the chances it may come back.
The best treatment plans always start with an accurate diagnosis.
Our chiropractic physicians are experts at diagnosing Tennis Elbow and other elbow injuries.
Radial Shockwave Therapy: An Innovative Tennis Elbow Treatment Available at Ravenswood Chiropractic in Andersonville.
Adding Chiropractic care and Radial Shockwave Therapy is Highly effective for even the most severe cases of Tennis Elbow we have treated.
Remember how we discussed that Tennis Elbow is caused by repetitive arm motions that strain the tendons and muscles around the elbow joint?
Remember the micro tears in the tendon that cause pain and inflammation? Our chiropractors use Radial Shockwave Therapy to promote healing at the cellular level to restore the health of your tendons and muscles. This reduces inflammation and pain, which provides an opportunity for your elbow to heal.
If you suffer from tennis elbow, you may wonder if radial shockwave therapy is a treatment option that could work for you. Radial Shockwave Therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses pressure waves to stimulate the repair and regeneration process in injured tissues. The treatment involves the use of a hand-held device that emits shockwaves, which are directed to the affected area. The energy from the shockwaves penetrates deep into the tissues, promoting blood flow and accelerating tissue repair. Radial Shockwave Therapy has been used successfully to treat various conditions, including tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis.
How Effective is Radial Shockwave Therapy for Tennis Elbow?
Radial Shockwave Therapy has shown promising results in treating tennis elbow, with a success rate of up to 70-80%. One study found that patients who received Radial Shockwave Therapy reported reduced pain and increased function compared to those who received a placebo. Another study also found that Radial Shockwave Therapy effectively reduced pain and increased grip strength for patients with chronic tennis elbow. Individual results may vary; schedule a free consultation with one of our chiropractic physicians to discuss if radial shockwave therapy might help your tennis elbow.
Physical Therapy for Tennis Elbow
Physical Therapy is one of the best treatment options for tennis elbow when it is very mild or first developing. It focuses on restoring function, reducing pain, and improving joint movement. At Ravenswood Chiropractic in Chicago, we specialize in exercises that help strengthen surrounding muscles and tendons impacted by tennis elbow to reduce inflammation and restore a normal range of motion while not causing further injury or pain.
Chiropractic Care for Tennis Elbow
Chiropractic treatment involves joint manipulation of the affected area to alleviate pain and improve function in the affected arm. In addition, therapies such as myofascial release, and joint mobilization may also relieve your tennis elbow pain. Other first-line therapies for tennis elbow we may incorporate into your treatment plan may include therapeutic Ultrasound and Dry Needling. These therapies can be done in our office at the same appointment as your physical Therapy, depending on your tennis elbow pain severity.
Acupuncture for Tennis Elbow
Although many patients find relief with physical therapy treatments, Sometimes Tennis Elbow is Severe or does not respond to Physical Therapy Alone.
Many of our sports enthusiast patients prefer to incorporate acupuncture into their tennis elbow treatments as soon as possible.
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese practice used for centuries to relieve many types of pain. For those suffering from tennis elbow, combining the traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture techniques with our modern Western pain management techniques can be an effective way to find relief that we have been using at Ravenswood Chiropractic in Chicago with great success for over 20 years.
Acupuncture and Its Effect on Tennis Elbow
Acupuncture is an increasingly popular treatment option for those suffering from tennis elbow. It stimulates specific points in the body to release endorphins and help reduce pain. Acupuncture can also help reduce inflammation, increase circulation, and regulate the nervous system to relieve tennis elbow symptoms such as stiffness, tenderness, and discomfort.
With acupuncture, tennis players can improve circulation, reduce inflammation and regain strength in the arm – all essential to alleviating tennis elbow symptoms.
In addition to providing immediate relief, acupuncture can be a great long-term solution for tennis elbow. Not only does it help reduce pain, and it gives the additional benefits of improved circulation, reduced inflammation, and strengthened muscles and tendons in the arm and shoulder. These results are especially beneficial for competitive athletes who need their arms to perform accurately on the court or field.
Home Care for Tennis Elbow
In addition to physical Therapy, you can use many home treatments to assist in the recovery process from tennis elbow. Resting your arm and applying an ice pack for up to 10 minutes several times daily can help reduce inflammation and pain. Taking anti-inflammatory medications as directed by your physician may also be beneficial in reducing symptoms. Stretching and strengthening exercises prescribed by your physical therapist can help restore proper joint and muscle function.
Symptoms of Tennis Elbow
The most common symptom of tennis elbow is pain or tenderness in the outer part of the elbow that may radiate to the forearm and wrist. This pain may worsen with activities requiring repetitive motions or grip strength, such as shaking hands, gripping objects, or lifting. Other symptoms include:
- Weakness in the affected arm.
- Stiffness in the elbow joint.
- Difficulty performing daily tasks such as twisting a doorknob or opening a jar.
If you experience these symptoms, consult a chiropractor near you for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment options.
Causes of Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow is caused by overuse of the forearm muscles and tendons that control wrist and finger extension. This repeated overuse can lead to tiny tendon tears that result in pain and inflammation. Although the condition is commonly known as “tennis elbow,” it can occur in anyone who performs repetitive gripping activities such as typing on a keyboard, using hand tools, or playing specific musical instruments. In addition, certain occupations that require repetitive motions, like plumbers, painters, and cooks, may also be at higher risk of developing tennis elbow. Other contributing factors include age, gender, smoking habits, and underlying medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes.
Find Your Tennis Elbow Treatment at Ravenswood Chiropractic in Andersonville
If you have elbow pain and are wondering if it is tennis elbow and would like to see how we can help you, call or text at 773.878.7330 or schedule an exam today with one of our expert chiropractic physicians.
