Finding Relief: A Journey to Heal Tennis Elbow with Dr. Lisa

Elbow pain can be annoying, especially if you spend hours at a time working on the computer like most people do at work. Elbow pain can also become limiting, interfering with sports and activities we love, such as playing tennis. If you’re a tennis player with elbow pain or have elbow pain at all, this blog is for you!

Did you know that chiropractic can help with elbow pain? If you didn’t know, you’re probably wondering what a chiropractor would do to help fix my elbow pain.

Well, let’s not keep you in suspense.

You are going to get a simple 5-step plan proven to treat elbow pain with chiropractic. From beginning to end with a case review.

Let’s Go!

Once upon a time, in bustling Mississauga, lived an amateur but passionate tennis player named ‘Mark’. Every weekend, Mark eagerly hit the courts, swinging his racket. However, one Saturday, after an intense match, Mark felt sharp pain radiating from his elbow. He brushed it off, thinking it would just go away. His pain persisted for weeks. Mark kept playing through his pain till eventually, he couldn’t bear the pain any longer and stopped. What he thought was just a minor strain soon turned into a persistent ache that made even simple tasks like opening a jar a challenge.

Sound familiar??

Desperate for relief, Mark heard about a chiropractor in Mississauga, Dr. Lisa, a chiropractor known for her holistic approach to sports injuries and treating many tennis players successfully. With hope in his heart, he scheduled an appointment.  He was very curious about how chiropractic could help with his elbow pain.

Chiropractic Assessment

On the day of his appointment, Mark drove to Mississauga for his initial chiropractic visit for his elbow pain.

Dr. Lisa began with a history of his condition. She needed to understand how this pain came about. She then did a thorough examination, testing all the relevant structures – nerves, ligaments, joints, and tendons in order to identify the root cause of his condition and correctly diagnose his condition. His assessment included his elbow, also his neck, and shoulder area. Knowing that pain from the neck and shoulder area could also lead to elbow pain, it was important that these were assessed to rule out any conditions arising from these areas.

After completing the assessment, Dr. Lisa was able to identify and diagnose Mark’s condition.

It was clear that Mark was experiencing Tennis elbow.

Understanding the Tennis Elbow

Dr. Lisa sat down with Mark to ensure he understood what the condition was.

She explained:  Tennis elbow, medically referred to as lateral epicondylitis, is a condition arising from the strain and overuse of the muscles and tendons surrounding the elbow joint.

It is commonly associated with repetitive motions involving the wrist and arm. Contrary to what its name suggests, the majority of individuals affected by tennis elbow do not play tennis.

Various occupations, such as:

• Plumbing
• Painting
• Carpentry
• Butchery

often requires repetitive actions that may contribute to the development of this condition.

In many cases, however, the exact cause of tennis elbow remains unclear. The discomfort typically originates from the point where the thick, cord-like tendons of the forearm muscles attach to a bony prominence on the outer part of the elbow.

Dr. Lisa explained to Mark that this condition develops when repetitive movements over time

begin to strain the tendons in the elbow, leading to inflammation and pain.

Feeling reassured about what was causing his pain, Mark was eager to learn what Dr. Lisa had in store.

The next step included putting together a treatment plan that would improve his pain, and muscle strain and help prevent reoccurrence.

Utilizing Manual Chiropractic Adjustments for Tennis Elbow

After the assessment, Dr. Lisa explained her approach. She began with gentle chiropractic adjustments to improve the joint mobility of Mark’s elbow, and spine to alleviate tension throughout his body that was causing strain on his muscles and joints.

“This will help your elbow move better” she reassured him.

Mark left his first appointment feeling lighter and more hopeful than he felt in weeks. Mark was really looking forward to his follow-up visits.

Incorporating Chiropractic Soft Tissue Therapy for Tennis Elbow

In subsequent visits, Dr. Lisa introduced soft tissue therapy. She used her skilled hands to massage and release tightness in the muscles around Mark’s elbow.

“This is just as important as the adjustments,” she explained. “We want to ensure your muscles are relaxed and flexible.”

As she worked, Mark could feel the tightness in his neck and shoulders melting away.

Mark couldn’t believe how much better his arm felt after each session. It was as if the pain was slowly but surely fading away.

Develop a Strengthening and Stretching Routine for Tennis Elbow

Once Mark’s pain began to subside, Dr. Lisa crafted a personalized rehabilitation program for him. She taught him specific stretches and strengthening exercises designed to strengthen his elbow and prevent future injuries.

“Consistency is key,” she encouraged.

Mark took her advice to heart, practicing diligently each day. He felt empowered, knowing he was taking control of his recovery.

Follow Up

Weeks later, Mark returned to Dr. Lisa’s clinic for a follow-up.

“I can’t believe the difference,” he exclaimed.

“I’m back on the court, playing better than ever!”

Dr. Lisa was happy, knowing her approach had made a real impact.

By following Dr. Lisa’s 5-step chiropractic care for tennis elbow plan, Mark found relief from his tennis elbow and gained valuable knowledge about maintaining his body and preventing future injury. He left the clinic with a renewed passion for tennis, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead—this time with strength and confidence.

And so, Mark’s journey from pain to recovery became a story he shared with friends on the courts, encouraging them to seek help from chiropractor Dr. Lisa in Mississauga if they ever found themselves experiencing tennis elbow or any other injury on the court. After all, every good game deserves a solid comeback!

What is the best way to fix a tennis elbow?

Tennis elbow can be managed effectively through a balanced approach of the following:

Rest: It’s crucial to refrain from engaging in activities that lead to injury.

Ice: Regularly applying ice packs can help minimize inflammation.

Medication: Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, can provide relief from pain and swelling.

Exercises: Incorporate strengthening and stretching routines targeting the wrist and forearm. A physical therapist can suggest tailored exercises suitable for your condition.

Braces: Consider using a compression bandage to wrap your elbow or a counterforce brace for added support.

Alternative Therapies: Acupuncture, and electrotherapy, which enhance circulation and promote healing, might be beneficial. Additionally, options like corticosteroid injections or extracorporeal shock wave therapy can be explored. 

What is the main cause of tennis elbow?

Tennis elbow is caused by a tear or swelling in the tendons that attach the muscle of the forearm to the bone in your upper arm. This is caused by repeated use of the muscles around the elbow.

How do you know if you have tennis elbow?

You could be suffering from tennis elbow if you notice pain, tenderness, or swelling on the outer part of your elbow, or if you find it challenging to grip objects.

Pain: This discomfort may range from mild to persistent and often intensifies with arm movements, gripping items, or twisting your wrist. It could also extend down into your forearm.

Tenderness: The region surrounding your elbow might feel sensitive or sore to the touch.

Swelling: You may observe swelling in your elbow or forearm.

Grip Weakness: You might experience a reduction in grip strength, particularly when attempting to hold something like a pen or during a handshake.

Can tennis elbow go away on its own?

Tennis elbow can get better on its own, however, it may take a long time depending on the severity of the condition. It is recommended to seek medical treatment such as chiropractic care, for symptoms early, as acute pain can very quickly turn into chronic pain becoming more persistent and difficult to treat.

What is the single best exercise for tennis elbow?

The foremost exercise for alleviating tennis elbow involves gently stretching the extensor muscles located on the upper part of the forearm. To perform this stretch, simply tuck your thumb into your palm and then rotate your forearm inward.