Tennis Elbow Treatment in Chicago
Tennis Elbow: 3 Highly Effective Treatment Options at Ravenswood Chiropractic in Chicago
Tennis elbow has a way of showing up at the worst times.
It might start as a small annoyance when you’re gripping something, lifting weights, or using your arm at work. But over time, it can become something that affects your workouts, your job, and even simple daily tasks.
At Ravenswood Chiropractic & Wellness in Andersonville, we see a lot of people dealing with this exact pattern. And one of the most common things we hear is: “I rested it, it got a little better… but it keeps coming back.”
Our approach looks at more than just the painful spot on the outside of the elbow. We focus on why that area is being overloaded in the first place, which is often the key to getting lasting results.
“Tennis elbow isn’t just about inflammation. It’s usually a sign that the tendon is being asked to handle more load than it’s ready for.” – Dr. Todd Renn, D.C.
What Most People Get Wrong About Tennis Elbow
A lot of people think tennis elbow is just inflammation that needs rest.
That’s part of the picture, but it’s not the whole story.
In many cases, tennis elbow is more about tendon overload than simple inflammation. The tendon on the outside of the elbow is repeatedly stressed through gripping, lifting, and wrist movement. Over time, it can become sensitive and less tolerant to load.
That’s why:
- rest may help temporarily
- symptoms often return with activity
- stretching alone doesn’t fully solve the problem
Understanding this changes how treatment is approached. Instead of only trying to calm symptoms down, the focus shifts to helping the tendon handle load more effectively.
What is Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is a condition that causes pain and tenderness in the outer part of the elbow. The pain may extend down to the forearm or wrist and can be aggravated by specific movements, such as gripping or lifting. This condition is often caused by overuse or repetitive strain of the tendons that attach to the outside portion of the elbow joint of the forearm extensors. As a result, anything from micro trauma to full-thickness tearing can occur. While it is commonly associated with playing tennis, anyone who performs activities that involve repetitive gripping or use of the forearm muscles can develop tennis elbow.
Treatment options for tennis elbow start with rest, ice, and avoiding activities that cause pain. Treatment is usually necessary if the pain is intense or lasts over two weeks. At Ravenswood Chiropractic in Chicago, we layer Chiropractic, Physical Therapy, Massage (myofascial release), Acupuncture, and Radial Shockwave Therapy treatments according to the severity of your Tennis Elbow and your preference. Rarely in our office have we seen the need for surgery.
Our treatment aims to get you back to playing your sport or doing the activities you want to do as quickly as possible without pain or furthering your injury while reducing the chances it may come back.
The best treatment plans always start with an accurate diagnosis.
Our chiropractic physicians are experts at diagnosing Tennis Elbow and other elbow injuries.
How We Treat Tennis Elbow at Ravenswood Chiropractic
When someone comes in with tennis elbow, the goal isn’t just to reduce pain, it’s to understand why the tendon is being overloaded and how to change that pattern.
Treatment is based on what we find during your evaluation and often includes a combination of approaches to support healing and improve how the arm handles stress.
Radial Shockwave Therapy: An Innovative Tennis Elbow Treatment Available at Ravenswood Chiropractic in Andersonville.
Adding Chiropractic care and Radial Shockwave Therapy is Highly effective for even the most severe cases of Tennis Elbow we have treated.
Remember how we discussed that Tennis Elbow is caused by repetitive arm motions that strain the tendons and muscles around the elbow joint?
Remember the micro tears in the tendon that cause pain and inflammation? Our chiropractors use Radial Shockwave Therapy to promote healing at the cellular level to restore the health of your tendons and muscles. This reduces inflammation and pain, which provides an opportunity for your elbow to heal.
If you suffer from tennis elbow, you may wonder if radial shockwave therapy is a treatment option that could work for you. Radial Shockwave Therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses pressure waves to stimulate the repair and regeneration process in injured tissues. The treatment involves the use of a hand-held device that emits shockwaves, which are directed to the affected area. The energy from the shockwaves penetrates deep into the tissues, promoting blood flow and accelerating tissue repair. Radial Shockwave Therapy has been used successfully to treat various conditions, including tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis.
How Effective is Radial Shockwave Therapy for Tennis Elbow?
Radial Shockwave Therapy has shown promising results in treating tennis elbow, with a success rate of up to 70-80%. One study found that patients who received Radial Shockwave Therapy reported reduced pain and increased function compared to those who received a placebo. Another study also found that Radial Shockwave Therapy effectively reduced pain and increased grip strength for patients with chronic tennis elbow. Individual results may vary; schedule a free consultation with one of our chiropractic physicians to discuss if radial shockwave therapy might help your tennis elbow.
Physical Therapy for Tennis Elbow
Physical Therapy is one of the best treatment options for tennis elbow when it is very mild or first developing. It focuses on restoring function, reducing pain, and improving joint movement. At Ravenswood Chiropractic in Chicago, we specialize in exercises that help strengthen surrounding muscles and tendons impacted by tennis elbow to reduce inflammation and restore a normal range of motion while not causing further injury or pain.
Chiropractic Care for Tennis Elbow
Chiropractic treatment involves joint manipulation of the affected area to alleviate pain and improve function in the affected arm. In addition, therapies such as myofascial release, and joint mobilization may also relieve your tennis elbow pain. Other first-line therapies for tennis elbow we may incorporate into your treatment plan may include therapeutic Ultrasound and Dry Needling. These therapies can be done in our office at the same appointment as your physical Therapy, depending on your tennis elbow pain severity.
Home Care for Tennis Elbow
In addition to physical Therapy, you can use many home treatments to assist in the recovery process from tennis elbow. Resting your arm and applying an ice pack for up to 10 minutes several times daily can help reduce inflammation and pain. Taking anti-inflammatory medications as directed by your physician may also be beneficial in reducing symptoms. Stretching and strengthening exercises prescribed by your physical therapist can help restore proper joint and muscle function.
Symptoms of Tennis Elbow
The most common symptom of tennis elbow is pain or tenderness in the outer part of the elbow that may radiate to the forearm and wrist. This pain may worsen with activities requiring repetitive motions or grip strength, such as shaking hands, gripping objects, or lifting. Other symptoms include:
- Weakness in the affected arm.
- Stiffness in the elbow joint.
- Difficulty performing daily tasks such as twisting a doorknob or opening a jar.
If you experience these symptoms, consult a chiropractor near you for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment options.
Why Tennis Elbow Keeps Coming Back
This is one of the most frustrating parts of tennis elbow.
You rest it, it improves, and then once you return to normal activity, the pain comes back.
That usually happens because the underlying issue wasn’t fully addressed.
Common reasons include:
- the tendon didn’t rebuild enough strength
- the same movement patterns are still overloading the elbow
- shoulder or wrist mechanics are shifting stress to the elbow
- grip demands are higher than the tendon can handle
“If we only focus on calming the pain down but don’t change how the arm is working, the elbow tends to flare up again.” – Dr. Todd Renn, D.C.
Causes of Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow is caused by overuse of the forearm muscles and tendons that control wrist and finger extension. This repeated overuse can lead to tiny tendon tears that result in pain and inflammation. Although the condition is commonly known as “tennis elbow,” it can occur in anyone who performs repetitive gripping activities such as typing on a keyboard, using hand tools, or playing specific musical instruments. In addition, certain occupations that require repetitive motions, like plumbers, painters, and cooks, may also be at higher risk of developing tennis elbow. Other contributing factors include age, gender, smoking habits, and underlying medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes.
Tennis Elbow FAQ
Why does tennis elbow hurt more when I grip or lift things?
That’s one of the most common patterns with tennis elbow.
The tendon on the outside of the elbow helps control wrist and grip activity. When it becomes irritated or overloaded, movements like gripping, lifting, or even holding objects can put extra stress on that area and make it more sensitive.
How do I know if it’s really tennis elbow and not something else?
Pain on the outside of the elbow with gripping or lifting is a strong sign, but it’s not the only possibility.
In some cases, nerve irritation or referred pain from the neck or shoulder can feel similar. That’s why a proper evaluation looks at the entire arm and movement patterns, not just the elbow itself.
Why does tennis elbow keep coming back even after rest?
This is very common.
Rest can calm symptoms down, but it doesn’t always change the reason the tendon became overloaded. If the same movement patterns, grip demands, or load levels return, the elbow can flare up again.
How long does tennis elbow usually take to heal?
It varies depending on how long it has been present and how it’s treated.
Some mild cases improve in a few weeks, while longer-standing cases may take more time and a structured approach that includes physical therapy and load management.
What treatments actually help tennis elbow without surgery?
Most cases improve with conservative care.
That often includes a combination of improving joint and movement mechanics, targeted physical therapy, and therapies like Class IV laser or shockwave to support tendon recovery. The key is matching the treatment to the underlying cause.
When should I get tennis elbow checked?
If the pain lasts more than a week or two, keeps coming back, or starts affecting your grip strength, work, or workouts, it’s a good idea to have it evaluated.
Early care can help prevent the problem from becoming more persistent.
Find Your Tennis Elbow Treatment at Ravenswood Chiropractic in Andersonville
If you have elbow pain and are wondering if it is tennis elbow and would like to see how we can help you, call or text at 773.878.7330 or schedule an exam today with one of our expert chiropractic physicians.
