Elbow pain has a way of making everything harder. Lifting groceries, exercising, working at your desk, playing pickleball at Cooper Park. When your elbow hurts, you notice it constantly.
Many people in Springfield deal with ongoing elbow pain without realizing that chiropractic care offers an effective, non-invasive solution. At 417 Performance Chiropractic and Sports Rehabilitation, we focus on identifying the root cause of elbow pain and delivering targeted care designed to restore function, reduce discomfort, and prevent future injury.
Let's break down what's actually happening with elbow pain and why chiropractic care works so well for treating it.
Understanding Elbow Pain: What's Actually Going On
Here's something that might surprise you: that nagging elbow pain you've been dealing with probably isn't just an elbow problem.
Your elbow is a remarkably complex joint that connects your upper arm to your forearm. It's involved in almost every pushing, pulling, lifting, and rotating movement you do throughout the day. When something goes wrong, it tends to ripple outward.
Elbow pain typically develops from:
- Poor movement mechanics (how you lift, grip, or rotate)
- Repetitive strain from work, sports, or daily activities
- Muscle imbalances in the forearm, upper arm, or shoulder
- Nerve irritation from the neck, shoulder, or elbow itself
The pain might show up suddenly after an injury, or it might creep in gradually over weeks or months. You might notice it when lifting objects, bending your arm, or straightening it fully. Sometimes the discomfort travels into your forearm or up toward your shoulder.
Without proper attention, these issues have a tendency to stick around and get progressively worse. The good news? Once you understand what's driving the problem, you can actually do something about it.
Common Conditions That Cause Elbow Pain
Tennis Elbow and Pickleball Elbow
Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is one of the most common reasons Springfield residents seek care for elbow pain. This condition causes pain on the outside of the elbow due to overuse of the forearm muscles and tendons.
Common symptoms include:
- Pain on the outside of the elbow when straightening your arm
- Weak grip strength
- Sharp pain during lifting or gripping
Despite the name, tennis elbow affects far more than athletes. Office workers, laborers, weightlifters, and weekend warriors frequently develop this condition from repetitive strain. If you play pickleball (and let's be honest, half of Springfield seems to have picked it up recently), you're especially susceptible since the quick wrist movements and repetitive gripping put significant stress on those outer elbow tendons.
Golfer's Elbow (Inner Elbow Pain)
Golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis) affects the tendons on the inside of the elbow. This leads to inner elbow pain that tends to worsen with gripping, lifting, or wrist movements.
Signs of golfer's elbow:
- Pain on the inside of the elbow
- Pain during lifting movements
- Forearm pain near the elbow
This condition shows up commonly among golfers at courses like Rivercut or Horton Smith, throwers, and people who perform repetitive lifting motions at work.
Overuse and Repetitive Strain Injuries
Repetitive movements place ongoing stress on the elbow joint and surrounding tissues. Over time, this strain can cause inflammation, micro-tears, and degenerative changes.
The symptoms often include dull or aching pain in the elbow, discomfort when lifting objects, and pain when straightening the arm. Without addressing the underlying cause, these injuries tend to persist or get progressively worse.
Nerve-Related Elbow Pain
Here's where it gets interesting: not all elbow pain actually originates in the elbow.
Nerve irritation from the neck or shoulder can cause sharp pain in the elbow or radiating discomfort down the arm. This might result in sharp or burning sensations, or pain in the upper arm between the elbow and shoulder.
This is exactly why a thorough evaluation matters. If your elbow pain is actually coming from your neck, treating only the elbow won't solve the problem.
Why Chiropractic Care Works for Elbow Pain
Chiropractic care stands out as an effective treatment for elbow pain because it addresses the entire musculoskeletal system rather than focusing only on symptoms. Instead of relying on medication or temporary relief, the goal is to correct the underlying dysfunction causing the pain in the first place.
As an elbow pain chiropractor in Springfield, we evaluate joint alignment, muscle balance, nerve function, and movement patterns to create a personalized treatment plan. This comprehensive approach means we're looking at the whole picture, not just the spot that hurts.
Chiropractic Adjustments Restore Joint Function
Restricted or misaligned joints in the elbow, wrist, shoulder, or spine can increase stress on the elbow joint. Chiropractic adjustments help restore normal motion, improve joint mechanics, and reduce abnormal strain.
Benefits of chiropractic adjustments:
- Reduced inflammation
- Improved mobility
- Decreased pain during movement
These adjustments are particularly effective for tennis elbow and golfer's elbow.
Soft Tissue Therapy Reduces Muscle Tension
Muscle tightness and scar tissue often contribute to ongoing elbow pain. Chiropractic care frequently includes soft tissue therapy to address overworked muscles in the forearm and upper arm.
This approach helps:
- Reduce inner elbow pain
- Improve circulation to damaged tissues
- Relieve forearm pain near the elbow
By restoring healthy muscle function, the elbow is better supported during daily activities.
Treating Elbow Pain When Lifting and Bending
Many patients seek care because of elbow pain when lifting or elbow pain when bending. These issues are often caused by improper mechanics, muscle imbalances, or joint dysfunction.
Chiropractic care corrects these problems by improving joint alignment, strengthening weak muscles, and reducing stress on the elbow during movement. This leads to lasting improvement rather than temporary relief.
Addressing Pain When Straightening the Arm
Pain when straightening the arm or pain on the outer elbow when extending is a common complaint with overuse injuries. Chiropractic adjustments and soft tissue work help restore proper movement patterns, reducing irritation of the affected tissues.
Patients often notice improved range of motion and less sharp pain in the elbow after treatment.
Chiropractic Care for Athletes and Active Individuals
Athletes place unique demands on their elbows through throwing, lifting, gripping, and repetitive motion. Without proper care, these stresses can lead to chronic elbow pain that sidelines you from the activities you love.
Chiropractic care helps athletes by:
- Improving joint stability
- Enhancing muscle coordination
- Reducing the risk of re-injury
This makes chiropractic care an ideal solution for both prevention and recovery. The goal isn't just to get you out of pain, but to get you back to performing at your best.
Frequently Asked Questions About Elbow Pain and Chiropractic Care
Can chiropractic care help tennis elbow pain?
Yes. Chiropractic care is highly effective for tennis elbow because it addresses joint dysfunction, muscle imbalance, and nerve irritation. Many patients experience significant improvement without injections or surgery.
Why does my elbow hurt when lifting?
Elbow pain when lifting is often caused by tendon strain, muscle overuse, or poor mechanics. Chiropractic treatment corrects these issues and helps restore proper movement.
Is elbow pain connected to shoulder or neck problems?
Yes. Pain in the upper arm between the elbow and shoulder is often linked to nerve irritation or joint dysfunction in the neck or shoulder. Chiropractic care evaluates the entire movement chain to identify the true source of the problem.
When to See an Elbow Pain Chiropractor in Springfield
If elbow pain persists, worsens, or limits your ability to work or exercise, seeking professional care sooner rather than later makes a real difference. Early chiropractic treatment can prevent minor problems from becoming long-term conditions.
Why Choose 417 Performance for Your Elbow Pain
At 417 Performance Chiropractic and Sports Rehabilitation, we take a different approach to elbow pain treatment in Springfield, MO.
Here's what sets us apart:
- We find the root cause. We don't just chase symptoms. We identify why your elbow hurts and address the underlying dysfunction.
- We look at the whole picture. Your elbow doesn't exist in isolation. We evaluate your neck, shoulder, wrist, and movement patterns to ensure nothing gets missed.
- We focus on performance, not just pain relief. Our goal is to get you back to your activities stronger than before, whether that's lifting at the gym, playing golf at Rivercut, or dominating pickleball at Cooper Park.
- We create individualized treatment plans. Your elbow pain is unique to you. Your treatment should be too.
A Natural Solution for Elbow Pain in Springfield, MO
Whether you're dealing with tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, sharp elbow pain, or persistent discomfort when bending or straightening your arm, chiropractic care offers a safe, effective, and drug-free approach.
Getting back to the activities you enjoy isn't just possible. With the right approach, it's the expected outcome.
Ready to get your elbow pain sorted out? Schedule an appointment at 417 Performance Chiropractic and Sports Rehabilitation and let's figure out what's going on and how to fix it.
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