Elbow pain can make gripping, lifting and daily tasks frustrating.
Elbow pain can come from irritated tendons, repetitive strain, joint restriction, muscle overload or nerve irritation. At The Reserve Chiropractic & HBOT in Newcastle, Oklahoma, we start by figuring out what movements and tissues may be contributing before recommending care.
Start with a clear first step.
Consultation, careful examination, any needed X-rays, one complete chiropractic treatment and recommendations to get you well.
Elbow pain is often mechanical, but the exact cause can vary.
The goal is to understand whether the pain is coming from a tendon, joint, muscle or nerve and what activities are continuing to irritate it.
Some people notice pain on the outside of the elbow with gripping or lifting. Others feel pain on the inside of the elbow, stiffness with bending or straightening, or discomfort that travels into the forearm. Repetitive work, sports and sustained gripping are common aggravators.
A careful exam can help determine whether chiropractic care, mobility work or activity modification may be appropriate and whether symptoms are actually coming from the neck or a nearby nerve.
What may be behind your elbow pain?
These are common possibilities, not a diagnosis. Your exam helps narrow down what is most relevant to your symptoms.
Joint irritation
Tendon irritation from repetitive gripping, lifting or wrist movement can contribute to pain around the outer or inner elbow.
Muscle tension
Overworked forearm muscles can create tension and tenderness around the elbow, especially after repetitive work or sports.
Disc involvement
The elbow joint itself can become stiff or irritated after injury, overuse or periods of reduced movement.
Nerve irritation
Nerve irritation around the elbow can create tingling, numbness or electric sensations into the forearm or hand.
Movement limitations
Repetitive tools, typing, racquet sports, golf, lifting and manual work can repeatedly stress the same tissues.
Work + lifestyle stress
Symptoms can sometimes be referred from the neck or shoulder, so elbow pain does not always mean the elbow itself is the only source.
What kind of care may help?
Treatment depends on what your exam shows. We keep the plan focused on what makes sense for your presentation rather than automatically putting everyone through the same protocol.
Some elbow pain needs prompt medical evaluation.
Chiropractic care is not appropriate for every situation. Seek prompt medical attention if elbow pain is accompanied by serious injury, infection or rapidly changing neurologic symptoms.
- Severe pain or deformity after a fall or impact
- Inability to move the elbow after an injury
- Rapid swelling, redness or warmth
- Fever with a hot, swollen elbow
- A cold, pale or blue hand
- Progressive weakness, numbness or loss of hand control
Elbow pain care in Newcastle, Oklahoma.
The Reserve Chiropractic & HBOT serves patients from Newcastle, Blanchard, Tuttle and surrounding communities who are looking for conservative, personalized care for elbow pain, repetitive strain, stiffness and movement-related discomfort.
2908 NW 32nd Street Suite B
Newcastle, OK 73065
Call or text: (405) 928-9791
A few common questions.
Chiropractic care may help some people with elbow pain when joint mobility, muscle tension or repetitive movement patterns are contributing. The first step is determining whether the problem is local to the elbow or being referred from another area.
Spinal decompression is not used for routine elbow pain. It may only be relevant when symptoms around the elbow are actually coming from a cervical disc or irritated nerve in the neck.
Not everyone with elbow pain needs imaging. Dr. Conner can determine whether X-rays, additional imaging or referral may be appropriate based on your history, exam and whether there was a significant injury.
Tennis elbow is a common term for irritation of the tendons on the outside of the elbow. It is often associated with repetitive gripping or wrist activity and can occur even in people who do not play tennis.
You do not have to guess what kind of care you need.
Start with an evaluation. We can help you understand what may be contributing to your elbow pain and whether chiropractic care or another next step makes sense.