Are you experiencing an ache or sharp pain in your elbow when you use your arms and hands?

Elbow pain can come from a variety of conditions. Most commonly, medial or lateral epicondylitis (also known as golfer's elbow or tennis elbow) affects a variety of people.  From going to the gym and experiencing pain after lifting, to working construction using a screwdriver, or working at a desk and while you type you feel pain.  These are just a few scenarios we have seen come through the office.  

 

If you are tired of having that pain, don't hesitate and call us today (989) 686-6808!

Watch This!

Check out one of the ways we treat elbow pain!

Why do I experience elbow pain?

You may experience elbow pain from a number of different reasons, most commonly we find these to be the biggest contributors:

  • Overuse Injuries (repetitive movements)
  • Job Demands 
  • Working Out 
  • Old Injuries 

The first step in treating your elbow injury:

The first step in your recovery is receiving a medical diagnosis from an experienced professional like our chiropractor.

The first step in your recovery is receiving a medical diagnosis from an experienced professional like our chiropractors.The treatment and prognosis of your elbow injury vary on the severity of your pain and the extent of the injury itself, and usually starts with a thorough history and exam of the presenting pain. Treatments that may be recommended by our chiropractors at Lake Effect Chiropractic include chiropractic care, soft tissue manipulation/ treatment, rehabilitation exercises, if more progressive treatment is needed we may use our painless Class IV Summus Medical Laser.

If you are suffering from a sports related elbow injury or just elbow pain, call us today at (989) 686-6808 to request your appointment at Lake Effect Chiropractic with our chiropractors.

How We Treat Elbow Pain

Active Release Technique

Active Release Technique (ART) is a soft tissue therapy designed to rid injured areas of scar tissue. Here at Lake Effect Chiropractic, we incorporate ART in our treatment of musculoskeletal disorders to remedy injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, shin splints, rotator cuff injuries, sciatica, plantar fasciitis, knee problems, tennis elbow, headaches, and back pain. All of these conditions tend to have one thing in common: the result of an overused muscle.

 

Chiropractic Adjustments

At Lake Effect Chiropractic we specialize in chiropractic adjustments that improve overall health and get you feeling great.

 

Summus Class IV Medical Laser

Laser Therapy is the use of specific wavelengths of light (red and near-infrared) to stimulate the body's natural ability to heal. Improved healing time, pain reduction, increased blood circulation and decreased swelling are the major effects of laser energy. Summus Medical Lasers are designed to target the body's optimal light-absorbing complexes to treat pain and accelerate the healing process.

 

Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM)

IASTM is another option to resolve pain and tightness in the body. This approach to fascia and muscle work reduces friction which allows for precision, sensitivity and depth that cannot be accomplished with the hands, knuckles, elbows etc.

 

Therapeutic Exercises

Here at Lake Effect Chiropractic, we specialize in assisting our patients through physical rehabilitation to keep them healthy after they experience an injury or pain in any way.

 

Pulstar

If you are uncomfortable with the more traditional manual adjustments, the PulStar is an amazing option for light force chiropractic adjustments.

When should I see a chiropractor for my elbow injury?

This is an important question to ask and to answer! Many elbow injuries may be treated with chiropractic treatment. Whether it's an acute form of elbow injury that's flared up or a chronic type of injury that you've been struggling with on and off for years.

It excites us to have new patients who have had other chiropractic experiences, what we do at Lake Effect Chiropractic is target the source of the problem and work to extinguish it! Getting the body moving, from the joints to the muscles, we know MOVEMENT IS MEDICINE!

Despite the fact that elbow injuries are common, the seriousness of the injuries and the conditions that cause them vary. What we do is different, your elbow injury treatment is always individualized and we are here to help you with whatever pain you may be experiencing here in Bay City, Michigan.   

We work together with the medical community to make sure you receive the proper care no matter what your condition may be, new or old, minor or serious, we want you to get back to a pain-free life and enjoy it!

What Causes Elbow Pain?

There are multiple reasons why someone might start experiencing pain in their elbow. Here is a list of some of the most common causes.

“Golfer’s Elbow”/ Medial Epicondylopathy

  • Repetitive flexion and pronation,  i.e., gripping with the palm down. (think of throwing a ball) creates strain on the common flexor origin resulting in irritation.
  • Recurring valgus stress is thought to be another principal trigger for medial epicondyle pain. Think of swinging a golf club and hitting the grass (DIVOT!) That’ll stress on the inside of the elbow when you make contact with the ground is the valgus stress. 
  • Occupations that require repetitive flexion and pronation, like carpentry, predispose patients to medial epicondylopathy.
  • It is most prevalent in the fourth and fifth decade and affects men and women fairly equally. The condition strikes the dominant arm in over ¾ of all cases. Obesity nearly doubles the risk of developing medial epicondylopathy.

“Tennis Elbow”/ Lateral Epicondylopathy

  • Lateral epicondylopathy (LE) is the most common cause of elbow pain. The condition is related to repetitive wrist extension and is commonly referred to as "tennis elbow", although the majority of those affected do not play tennis.
  • Repetitive wrist extension causing micro-tearing of the common extensor tendon, ultimately leads to a failed healing response and degeneration is the most common environment for LE.
  • LE results in an average of 12 weeks disability in up to 30% of those workers affected. Active Release Technique combined with the laser is the quickest way to avoid missing work!
  • Certain occupations and activities are predisposed:
    • Carpenter
    • Bricklayers
    • Seamstresses, tailors
    • Pianists, drummers
    • Those who shake hands excessively (politicians)
    • Those who perform prolonged keyboard or mouse work.
  • Only 5% of LE patients participate in racquet sports.
  • Pain can be present even with something as small as lifting up a cup of coffee.

Pronator Teres Syndrome (PTS)

  • PTS is a combination of signs and symptoms that results from compression of the median nerve by the pronator teres muscle near the elbow. 
  • PTS can be very similar to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, however, it can be resolved more easily!
  • Carpal tunnel-like symptoms that involve the palm suggest pronator teres involvement. 
  • It is associated with prolonged or repetitive forearm pronation and finger flexion, i.e., gripping with the palm down. Carpenters, mechanics, assembly line workers, tennis players, rowers, and weight lifters are predisposed to this problem. 
  • The condition is often associated with excessively developed forearm muscles and is more common in the dominant arm.
  • Pain at night is common in carpal tunnel syndrome but NOT in pronator teres syndrome.

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

  • Patients presenting with cubital tunnel often complain of paresthesia or pain extending distally from the inside elbow to the 4th and 5th digit. 
  • Symptoms may vary from vague excessive sensitivity to pain.
  • Nocturnal symptoms are common. 
  • Symptoms may infrequently radiate proximally toward the shoulder or neck. In more advanced cases, discomfort may be accompanied by loss of grip strength and fine motor control.
  • Cubital tunnel is commonly seen in baseball, tennis, and racquetball players.
  • Workers who maintain sustained elbow flexion, such as holding a tool or telephone, or those who press the ulnar nerve against a hard surface, like a desk, are at increased risk.
  • Cubital tunnel syndrome has been coined "cell phone elbow".

Little League Elbow

  • A predictable progression of overuse injuries that affect the medial (inside) elbow of children and adolescents.
  • Pitch count is the primary determinant for youth medial elbow damage. Children throwing over 600 pitches per season more than DOUBLE their risk for elbow injury.
  • A “traction apophysitis,” like little league elbow, affects growth plates, which in children, are believed to be 2-5 times weaker than the surrounding tissue. The elbow has six growth plates that typically appear and fuse at different ages. 
    • Traction: tugging and pulling
    • Apophysis / Apophysitis: an outgrowth from a bone that serves as an attachment for tendons or ligaments. The apophysis is attached to the main bone by a growth plate. This can then become inflamed, ie. -apophysitis. 
  • Most common in baseball pitchers but also affects other position players, specifically more skilled players who are given abundant playing time. 
  • LLE affects athletes from other sports, including softball, tennis, racquetball, handball, javelin, water polo, gymnastics, and weight lifting.
  • To compound the issue, these better players are often channeled into single sport participation with year-round training and longer competitive seasons.
  • Symptoms often present in mid to late-season, as pitch counts elevate, cumulative workload increases, and rest is diminished. 
  • Alternatively, this may be seen after a single game with increased or pitch count without appropriate rest.

 

What Our Patients Are Saying!

 

I was looking for a chiropractor that did more than the regular walk-in adjustment.  I definitely found it here with these two.  With many different options like compression pants, laser therapy, cupping, and scrapping it was definitely a great find.  Extremely patient focused and I left my first visit knowing I found my place.

-Patient from Bay City, MI

 

I’ve been coming to Harpham's office for years and continued coming once Dr. Ashley and Dr. Brittany took over. They are always so welcoming and always take awesome care of me. My job is very physically demanding so Dr. Ashley keeps me moving!

-Kristi from Saginaw, MI


Very friendly staff, they have all been helpful with working with my work schedule and getting me in for appointments. I have never had good luck with chiropractors but Dr. Jordan’s treatment on my hip pain and tennis elbow has been very effective. Highly recommend them.

-Ali from Bay City, MI

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