Tennis elbow is one of the most common overuse injuries affecting active adults, athletes, and weekend warriors. Despite its name, tennis elbow does not only affect tennis players. People who play pickleball, golf, lift weights, work with their hands, or perform repetitive arm motions often experience persistent elbow pain that interferes with daily activities.
A chiropractor in Fairfield frequently treats tennis elbow by addressing the root causes of irritation, reducing strain on the elbow joint, and restoring proper movement throughout the arm. With the right approach, chiropractic care can help relieve pain and prevent the condition from becoming chronic.
What Is Tennis Elbow?
Many patients ask, what is tennis elbow? Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is a form of tendinitis caused by repetitive stress on the muscles and tendons that attach to the outside of the elbow.
This condition develops when repeated gripping, lifting, or swinging motions create tiny tears in the tendon. Over time, this overuse injury leads to inflammation, weakness, and pain.
Common symptoms include:
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Elbow pain when lifting
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Elbow pain when bending
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Pain in elbow when straightening arm
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Weak grip strength
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Ache or burning on the outside of the elbow
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Pain in upper left arm between elbow and shoulder (or right arm)
Tennis Elbow vs. Golfer’s Elbow and Pickleball Elbow
Although similar, tennis elbow is different from golfer’s elbow, which causes inner elbow pain rather than pain on the outside. Golfer’s elbow affects the tendons on the inside of the elbow and is common in golfers, baseball players, and weightlifters.
Pickleball elbow is another increasingly common condition. The repetitive wrist and forearm motions used in pickleball place stress on the elbow tendons, often resulting in symptoms nearly identical to tennis elbow.
A proper diagnosis is essential because treatment strategies differ depending on whether the pain is on the inside or outside of the elbow.
What Causes Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow typically develops due to repetitive strain rather than a single injury. Common causes include:
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Repetitive gripping or twisting motions
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Poor lifting mechanics
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Muscle imbalances in the forearm or shoulder
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Limited wrist or shoulder mobility
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Sudden increase in activity or training intensity
Over time, these factors overload the elbow tendons, leading to chronic inflammation and pain.
Why Elbow Pain Often Doesn’t Go Away on Its Own
Many people expect elbow pain to resolve with rest alone. Unfortunately, tennis elbow often becomes persistent if the underlying mechanical issues are not addressed.
Because the elbow is part of a kinetic chain involving the wrist, shoulder, and spine, dysfunction elsewhere can continually stress the elbow. This is why pain may return as soon as normal activity resumes.
How Chiropractic Care Helps With Tennis Elbow
Chiropractic care offers a conservative, non-invasive approach to tennis elbow treatment. Rather than focusing only on the painful area, chiropractic care evaluates how the entire arm and upper body move together.
Chiropractic Care May Help By:
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Improving joint motion in the elbow, wrist, and shoulder
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Reducing muscle tension in the forearm
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Decreasing inflammation around irritated tendons
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Restoring proper movement patterns
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Supporting long-term healing
By addressing both the symptoms and the cause, chiropractic care helps reduce pain while preventing recurrence.
Treating Elbow Pain When Lifting, Bending, or Straightening the Arm
Tennis elbow often becomes most noticeable during everyday movements. Tasks like lifting a coffee mug, shaking hands, or opening a door can trigger sharp pain.
A chiropractor in Fairfield evaluates:
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Grip mechanics
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Forearm muscle balance
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Shoulder stability
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Spinal alignment
Correcting restrictions and imbalances in these areas can significantly reduce elbow pain when lifting, elbow pain when bending, and pain in elbow when straightening arm.
Addressing Inner Elbow Pain and Golfer’s Elbow
For patients experiencing inner elbow pain, the condition may be golfer’s elbow rather than tennis elbow. While the location differs, the underlying issue is still repetitive strain and poor load distribution.
Chiropractic care for golfer’s elbow focuses on:
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Reducing tendon irritation
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Improving forearm flexibility
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Enhancing shoulder and wrist mobility
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Correcting movement habits that overload the elbow
This approach helps relieve pain and restore strength without relying on injections or medications.
Tendinitis and Overuse Injuries Require a Whole-Arm Approach
Because tennis elbow is a form of tendinitis, treating it effectively requires more than local care. Overuse injuries develop gradually and often involve multiple joints and muscle groups.
Chiropractic care considers:
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Shoulder mechanics that influence elbow load
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Wrist motion that affects tendon stress
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Postural factors that alter arm movement
This comprehensive approach supports long-term healing and helps prevent the cycle of repeated flare-ups.
Can Chiropractic Care Help With Pickleball Elbow?
Pickleball elbow has become increasingly common as more people take up the sport. The fast-paced, repetitive wrist movements place continuous strain on the elbow tendons.
Chiropractic care helps pickleball players by:
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Improving joint mobility
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Reducing muscle tension
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Supporting proper swing mechanics
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Enhancing recovery between games
This allows players to stay active while minimizing downtime due to pain.
Tennis Elbow Treatment Without Surgery
Many people worry that persistent elbow pain will eventually require surgery. In many cases, conservative care can successfully manage symptoms and restore function.
Chiropractic care offers a non-surgical option for tennis elbow treatment that focuses on healing, movement quality, and injury prevention. When combined with activity modification and guided rehabilitation, many patients experience meaningful improvement.
When to Seek Care for Elbow Pain
It may be time to seek professional care if:
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Elbow pain lasts longer than a few weeks
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Pain interferes with daily tasks or sports
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Grip strength continues to weaken
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Pain spreads into the forearm or upper arm
Early intervention can prevent a mild overuse injury from becoming chronic and harder to treat.
Relieving Tennis Elbow and Restoring Arm Function
Tennis elbow is a frustrating and often stubborn condition, but effective care is available. Whether caused by tennis, pickleball, golf, weightlifting, or repetitive work, elbow pain does not have to become a long-term limitation.
Chiropractic care addresses the underlying causes of elbow pain, inner elbow pain, and related overuse injuries by improving movement, reducing strain, and supporting tendon healing. With the right approach from Fairfield Chiropractic Clinic, individuals can regain strength, reduce pain from sports injuries, and return to the activities they enjoy—without ongoing discomfort.
