Elbow Pain

Elbow pain is a common but annoying condition that can make it hard to drive, lift, or use hand tools. At Synergy Release Sports in Buckhead Atlanta and Alpharetta, Georgia, the experienced team of chiropractors specializes in diagnosing and treating elbow pain caused by osteoarthritis, general wear-and-tear, and other issues. Call the nearest office today to receive treatment for elbow pain, or make your appointment online. 

How do I know if elbow pain is serious?

Each of your elbows has three bones, four ligaments, and seven muscles. These hard and soft tissues work together, helping you lift and move objects, reach, and throw. 

You use your elbow joints dozens of times each day, so it’s normal to have aches and pains. Even so, if you have elbow pain that lasts for more than a few days or doesn’t improve with at-home treatment, it might indicate a more serious issue. 

What causes elbow pain?

The Synergy Release Sports team treats elbow pain caused by various issues, including:

• Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis)
• Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
• Olecranon bursitis
• Osteoarthritis
• Dislocated elbow
• Fractured elbow

Sometimes, elbow pain occurs because of ligament strains or sprains. These injuries are especially common in athletes who play throwing sports, like baseball. 

How does a chiropractor diagnose elbow pain?

Your Synergy Release Sports provider reviews your medical records, asks about your symptoms, and examines your elbow, checking for redness, swelling, or bruising. They gently press on the joint to pinpoint sensitive areas and move your elbow back and forth, testing its range of motion. 

Next, your chiropractor orders diagnostic imaging, like X-rays, an MRI, or a CT scan. These procedures capture detailed photos of your elbow joint and the surrounding tissue. After identifying the source of your pain, your chiropractor makes personalized treatment recommendations.

How do chiropractors treat elbow pain?

The Synergy Release Sports team treats elbow pain using a holistic and integrative approach. They might recommend:

• Ice
• Rest
• Braces or immobilization
• Physical therapy
• Dry needling
• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT)
• Active Release Techniques® (ART)
• Neuromuscular massage
• Graston Technique®
• Advanced muscle integration technique (AMIT)
• Chiropractic care
• Functional Manual Therapy®
• Shockwave therapy with PiezoWave®
• Rapid-release therapy
• Elbow padding

Sometimes, the team develops home care plans featuring elbow pain exercises. Specific stretches can increase your range of motion, relieve pain, and reduce inflammation.

Is there any way to prevent elbow pain?

There’s no way to prevent elbow pain entirely, but there are things you can do to lower your risk. The Synergy Release Sports team recommends warming up and stretching before exercise, wearing elbow padding if you play contact sports, and using the proper technique with hand tools and racquets.

Call the nearest Synergy Release Sports office today to explore the treatments for elbow pain, or make your appointment online.