Proven Chiropractic Solutions to Alleviate Elbow Pain at the Source
Feel Your Best with Chiropractic Care & Rehabilitation in Rochester
Elbow pain may seem minor at first, but it can quickly interfere with everyday tasks such as typing, lifting, gripping, and even sleeping comfortably.
Whether the discomfort came on suddenly after an injury or developed gradually over time, elbow pain often signals underlying strain, inflammation, or joint dysfunction. At our Rochester chiropractic clinic, we focus on identifying the root cause of elbow pain, not just masking symptoms, so you can regain strength, mobility, and confidence in your daily activities.
Let our team conduct a thorough assessment to determine the source of your elbow pain and get you lasting results you can rely on.
Why Does My Elbow Hurt?
The elbow is especially prone to pain because it is a highly intricate joint that sits between two very mobile areas: the shoulder and the wrist.
While the shoulder provides a wide range of motion and the wrist allows for fine motor control, the elbow must constantly adapt to and transfer forces between them. This “in-between” role leaves the elbow vulnerable to excessive stress, particularly during repetitive movements, lifting, gripping, or sudden changes in direction.
Habits & Lifestyles That Cause Elbow Pain
Due to the intricacy of the elbow joint and the frequency with which we rely on it, many everyday activities can disrupt proper function.
Desk Work & Poor Ergonomics
Modern desk work is among the most common causes of chronic elbow pain. Spending long hours at a computer often places the elbows in a fixed, bent position while the wrists and forearms perform repetitive motions.
Add that to poor desk ergonomics, such as an improperly positioned keyboard or mouse, the muscles and tendons surrounding the elbow joint can become overloaded or burdened. Over time, this repetitive strain leads to microtears, inflammation, and reduced blood flow to the tissues.
Many people unknowingly tense their shoulders and forearms while working, further straining the elbow. Without regular movement breaks or ergonomic corrections, desk-related elbow pain can progress from mild irritation to a persistent condition that limits function.
Other common reasons for elbow pain include:
- Age-related degeneration: As we age, the cartilage and soft tissues within the elbow naturally wear down, reducing joint cushioning and increasing the risk of stiffness, inflammation, and arthritis-related pain
- Improper lifting techniques: Poor form during lifting places excessive strain on the elbow joint and surrounding tendons, often leading to overuse injuries and tendon irritation over time
- Repetitive movements: Repeated motions such as swinging, throwing, or gripping, as in sports, can overload the elbow’s tendons and muscles, causing microtears and chronic conditions like tennis or golfer’s elbow
- Sudden trauma: A direct impact or forceful jolt, such as during a car accident. can damage ligaments, nerves, or joint structures in the elbow, resulting in pain, swelling, and limited mobility
- Genetic predisposition: Some are more prone to joint and connective tissue issues due to inherited traits, making them more susceptible to elbow pain and degenerative conditions
Preventing elbow pain may not be possible; we can’t avoid accidents, quit our jobs, or stop the activities we enjoy. However, proactive care can help minimize discomfort and increase strength in and around the elbow joint.
Conditions & Injuries Related to Elbow Pain
Elbow pain often stems from specific injuries or conditions that affect the joint, tendons, muscles, or surrounding soft tissues.
Some develop gradually from repetitive stress and overuse, while others occur suddenly due to trauma or strain. Understanding the most common conditions associated with elbow pain helps identify the source of discomfort and guides the most effective treatment approach for lasting relief.
Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)
Tennis elbow is one of the most common causes of elbow pain and affects far more than just athletes.
This condition occurs when the tendons that attach to the outside of the elbow become irritated or inflamed due to repetitive wrist extension and gripping motions. Activities like typing, using tools, lifting weights, or playing racket sports can overload these tendons over time.
Symptoms often include:
- Pain in the outer elbow
- Weakness in the forearm
- Discomfort when gripping objects
Without proper treatment, tennis elbow can become chronic, making even simple tasks painful and frustrating.
Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)
Golfer’s elbow affects the tendons on the inside of the elbow and is caused by repetitive wrist flexion and forearm strain.
While golfers are prone to this condition, it is also common among individuals who perform repetitive lifting, manual labor, or prolonged desk work.
Pain is typically felt along the inner elbow and may radiate down the forearm. Other symptoms include:
- Stiffness
- Reduced grip strength
- Tenderness
Addressing golfer’s elbow early is essential to prevent long-term tendon damage and ongoing discomfort.
Pronator Teres Syndrome
The pronator teres is a forearm muscle that flexes and pronates your wrist (turning your thumb inward). This muscle can get tight from overuse, such as throwing a ball and gripping heavy objects.
The median nerve, which supplies muscles in your forearm, thumb, pointer finger, and middle finger, runs under the pronator muscle. When the pronator teres is tight, it can compress the median nerve, causing pain, numbness, and tingling in the hand, often mimicking carpal tunnel syndrome.
The pronator teres also has a close relationship with the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), and the two structures are often injured together in the baseball athlete.
Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) Injury
In baseball, this injury is referred to as the Tommy John ligament and results from excessive strain on the elbow from overuse or improper timing in the pitching delivery.
The UCL is the most common elbow injury in baseball. Pronator teres strains can mimic a UCL injury and are often associated with a grade 1 UCL tear.
Other Elbow Injuries & Conditions
Additional causes of elbow pain include:
- Arthritis
- Bursitis
- Nerve compression
- Ligament sprains
- Overuse injuries from sports or physical labor
These conditions may limit range of motion, cause swelling, or produce sharp or aching pain during movement.
Chiropractic Solutions We Use to Treat Elbow Pain
Chiropractic care offers a comprehensive, noninvasive approach to treating elbow pain by addressing both joint mechanics and soft-tissue health.
Our Rochester chiropractor tailors care plans to each patient’s specific condition, activity level, and goals.
Chiropractic Adjustments
Precise chiropractic adjustments help restore proper joint function in the elbow, wrist, shoulder, and spine. Improving joint mechanics reduces abnormal stress on the elbow and promotes more efficient movement patterns throughout the arm.
Soft Tissue Therapies
Myofascial or soft-tissue therapies target tight muscles, fascia, and tendons that contribute to elbow pain. By improving circulation and reducing tension, these therapies help accelerate healing and decrease inflammation.
Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy is a proven, noninvasive treatment for relieving elbow pain and injuries, such as tennis elbow. When targeted acoustic waves are delivered to the affected area, blood flow is stimulated, damaged tissue breaks down, and healing accelerates.
We’ve seen firsthand how shockwave treatment has reduced pain, improved mobility, and helped patients return to the activities they enjoy.
Dry Needling
Dry needling is used to release trigger points and chronically tight muscle fibers in the forearm and upper arm. This therapy can significantly reduce pain, improve flexibility, and restore normal muscle function.
A research study compared dry needling with corticosteroid injections for tennis elbow, and concluded that dry needling "is a low-cost, minimally invasive, and low-risk therapy, whereas corticosteroid therapy is costly and produces systemic side effects in the long term. In this study, during the last follow-up visit, the [Patient-Related Tennis Elbow Evaluation] score improved in the [dry needling] group compared to the corticosteroid group.
Nagarajan V, Ethiraj P, Prasad P A, Shanthappa AH. Local Corticosteroid Injection Versus Dry Needling in the Treatment of Lateral Epicondylitis. Cureus. 2022;14(11):e31286. Published 2022 Nov 9. doi:10.7759/cureus.31286.
Functional Rehab
Our functional rehabilitation exercises are designed to strengthen the muscles supporting the elbow, improve coordination, and enhance endurance. Functional rehab also serves to reduce the risk of reinjury and promotes long-term results by strengthening tendons and building resilience.
NormaTec Recovery Therapy
NormaTec compression therapy enhances circulation, reduces swelling, and supports faster tissue recovery. This advanced recovery tool is especially beneficial for active individuals and athletes who experience elbow strain from consistent use.
Sports Chiropractic & Rehab
For athletes and active individuals, sports chiropractic care and rehabilitation focus on improving movement efficiency, preventing injury, and optimizing performance. Treatment plans address sport-specific demands placed on the elbow and upper extremity.
Ergonomic & Lifestyle Counseling
We provide guidance on workstation setup, posture, activity modification, and daily habits that may be contributing to elbow pain. Small ergonomic changes often lead to significant improvements in symptoms.
When you partner with our Rochester elbow pain chiropractor, you’ll receive guidance on all relevant aspects of your life, including:
- Proper lifting techniques
- Stretches and exercises to maximize movement patterns and improve range of motion
- Correct workstation setup, ergonomics, and posture
- Activity modification during recovery
- Preventitve care tips
Let Our Rochester Chiropractor Help End Your Elbow Pain for Good
Your path to lasting elbow pain relief begins with a thorough discussion and physical examination. We take time to understand your symptoms, lifestyle, work demands, and activity level while assessing joint motion, muscle function, and movement patterns.
Based on this evaluation, we create a personalized care plan that we review in detail with you so you understand exactly how chiropractic care can help.
Once your plan is in place, we get started straight away, combining hands-on treatment, targeted therapies, and guided rehabilitation to support healing from the inside out.
Protocols for patients and injuries vary, often utilizing at least one modality in your healing strategy. In most cases, there are two phases of healing.
Rest is the first phase. This often starts with local myofascial and dry needling to loosen the musculature and kickstart the healing process. We will also begin rehabilitation with shoulder stabilization exercises through Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization.
The second phase, rehab, progresses to strengthening the forearm and gradually returning to regular movement.
Our goal is not only to relieve pain but to restore function and prevent future issues.
If elbow pain is limiting your daily life, let our Rochester chiropractor help you get back on the road to recovery with confidence and long-term results.
