Elbow Pain Treatment Chicago | Tennis & Golfer’s Elbow Relief

Elbow Pain

Do You Have One of These Types of Elbow Pain?

Elbow pain has a way of sneaking into everyday life.

It might start as something small. Maybe you feel it when gripping a coffee cup, lifting weights, or carrying groceries. But over time, it can become something that affects how you work, exercise, and even sleep.

At Ravenswood Chiropractic & Wellness in Andersonville, we see this pattern all the time. One of the most common frustrations people share is not just the pain, but how long it sticks around or keeps coming back.

Our approach is a little different. Instead of focusing only on the elbow, we look at how your arm, shoulder, and movement patterns are working together. That’s often where the real cause lives.

“A lot of elbow pain isn’t really just an elbow problem. it’s a load management problem. If we don’t address that, it tends to come back.” – Dr. Todd Renn, D.C.

What Elbow Pain Actually Means

A lot of people are told their elbow pain is due to “inflammation” or “overuse.” That’s not wrong, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. What we often see is that elbow pain is really about how stress moves through the arm. Every time you grip, lift, or push, your shoulder, elbow, and wrist are all sharing the load. If one area isn’t doing its job well, another area has to take on more of the stress and the elbow is a common place where that shows up. That’s why elbow pain can linger longer than expected, improve with rest, then come back, or not fully resolve with basic care. Understanding this helps guide a more complete and effective treatment approach.

A Brief Introduction to the Elbow

The elbow is a joint, which is the conjunction or meeting point of two or more bones. It’s also considered a ball-and-socket joint, which means that the bones form a cup shape around a slippery, gelatinous sac, which forms the “ball” in ball-and-socket. This ball allows movement of the joint in more than one direction.

There are three bones that make up the elbow:

Humerus: Upper arm bone
Radius: Forearm or lower arm
Ulna: Forearm or lower arm

Movement of the Elbow

The bones that make up the elbow, along with connective and muscle tissue, allow us to move the joint in the following ways:

Flexion

Flexion is a type of movement that decrease the distance or angle between two muscle groups. For example, when you perform a biceps curl, you are closing the gap between your humerus and ulna or upper and lower arm.

Extension

Extension is just the opposite. This is when you increase the distance or angle between two muscle groups. A triceps extension is an example of this. As you push the cable rope down, you are increasing the distance between your humerus and ulna.

Pronation

Hold your hand out in front of you with the palm down. Now turn only your hand so that the palm is facing upward toward the ceiling. This is pronation.

Supination

Supination is just the opposite. If you were to turn your hand back so that it’s facing the floor, this is supination.

The Elbow’s Susceptibility to Inflammation

The complexity of bones, muscles, and ligaments meeting at this joint coupled with its range of motion, not to mention its range of everyday movements, can sometimes cause parts of this joint to become irritated or inflamed – the two most common sources of elbow pain.

The causes for that irritation and inflammation are most often some combination of overexertion and overuse, though infection, genetics, and degenerative diseases can always play a role as well.

Where Is Your Elbow Pain?

A quick way to start making sense of elbow pain is by noticing where you feel it most.

If the pain is on the outside of your elbow, especially with gripping or lifting, it often points toward what’s commonly called tennis elbow.

If it’s more on the inside of the elbow, especially with pulling or wrist motion, it may be closer to what’s known as golfer’s elbow.

If the pain feels more sharp, tingling, or travels down the arm, it can sometimes involve nerve irritation rather than just the joint or tendons.

And if it doesn’t seem to fit neatly into one spot, or keeps coming back, that’s usually a sign we need to look at how the whole arm is working together.

Common Elbow Pain-Related Conditions We Treat

Our Elbow Pain Treatment Approach

Some people with elbow pain have tried massage, acupuncture, injections elsewhere as part of a broader conservative care plan. At Ravenswood Chiropractic & Wellness in Andersonville, our elbow pain approach focuses on chiropractic care, physical therapy, Class IV laser therapy, shockwave therapy, and movement-based rehabilitation.

The goal is not just to calm the painful area down. We want to understand why the elbow is being overloaded, how the shoulder, wrist, neck, and forearm are contributing, and what type of care gives your body the best chance to recover.

Elbow pain, especially in an individual’s dominant arm, is one of the most common issues that we address in our office. Some of the most common causes of that elbow pain include the following:

Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)

Tennis elbow is a pain or soreness that is felt on the outside of the elbow. A form of tendonitis, it is caused by damage to the muscles and tendons connecting the forearm muscles (the ulna and radius) to the elbow joint.

Specifically, tennis elbow involves the muscles and tendons that connect to the bony spur on the outside of the elbow called the lateral epicondyle. This damage is most frequently caused by overuse of the joint, particularly when that overuse is repetitive.

Although it is commonly referred to as “tennis” elbow; it is not exclusive to tennis players. Weightlifters, athletes, or anyone who does difficult repetitive movements with their arm can develop this form of form of tendonitis. Talking to a chiropractor certified in Selective Functional Movement Assessment is a great opportunity to discover the cause of your tennis elbow and how to treat it.

Tennis elbow pain usually starts small and slowly increases, although occasionally (if rarely) the pain comes suddenly and as though out of nowhere. With tennis elbow, it can hurt to shake hands or squeeze an object.

Any activity involving the elbow joint then exacerbates the pain. For example, it can hurt to lift items, brush your teeth, and grasp something even moderately heavy.

Tennis elbow occurs more with men than women, and usually with people in the 30- to 50-year-old age range than in other age groups.

Tennis elbow should not be ignored, and it is unlikely to go away on its own. While pain from tennis elbow starts on the outside of the elbow, if the condition is left untreated, the pain can spread down the arm all the way to the wrist. When this happens, simple tasks liking turning a key in a lock or open a door become painful and difficult, if not impossible.

Treatments for Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)

The following are the most common forms of treatment for Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis):

Radial Shockwave Therapy
Ice
Rest
Graded exercise programs
Myofascial release
Cross friction massage
Joint manipulation
Mobilization (in the subacute phase)

Read More About Tennis Elbow Treatments available at Ravenswood Chiropractic in Andersonville.

Posterior Tennis Elbow (Triceps Tendonitis)

Also known as posterior elbow tendonitis, the difference between posterior tennis elbow and tennis elbow is in the part of the joint that’s affected. In “regular” tennis elbow, it’s the outside of the elbow. In posterior tennis elbow, it’s the back or underside of the elbow that’s involved.

People who frequently do any activities or motions that rapidly extend the arm are at risk for triceps tendonitis. Getting a Selective Functional Movement Assessment from a certified chiropractic physician can identify what motions are contributing to your tendonitis and how to correct it. Activities include the following:

Throwing
Serving
Certain weightlifting exercises (specifically those involving the triceps and the ulna)
Punching (also called “Boxer’s Elbow”)

Treatments for Posterior Tennis Elbow (Triceps Tendonitis)

The following are the most common forms of treatment for Posterior Tennis Elbow (Triceps Tendonitis)

Learn more about How We Treat Triceps Tendonitis at Ravenswood Chiropractic in Chicago

Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)

Golfer’s elbow is also similar to tennis elbow. The only differences being the location of the pain and the activities and motions that cause it. With golfer’s elbow, instead of the outside or back of the elbow being affected, it’s the inside of the elbow.

With this golfing injury, a person may feel a shooting pain down the inside of their forearm as they’re trying to grip an object. Golfer’s elbow can be caused by a single violent jolt, but more often it is a form of repetitive stress injury, in which pain develops gradually over time as the repetitive actions continue being taken and the condition, untreated, worsens.

Obviously, golfers are particularly susceptible to this condition but so are other types of people, some not even athletes such as a “weekend carpenter” who uses hand tools. A Selective Functional Movement Assessment can identify what motion is contributing to your Golfer’s Elbow and how to correct it.

Treatments for Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)

The following are the most common forms of treatment for Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis):

Learn more about How We Treat Golfer’s Elbow at Ravenswood Chiropractic

Posterior Impingement Syndrome

Posterior Impingement Syndrome, also known as Posterior Elbow Impingement, is caused by repeated over-extension of the arm, especially when the motion is forced, such as when throwing. People especially prone to posterior impingement syndrome include:

Swimmers
Boxers
Racket sport players

The injury starts with this repeated forced extension of the arm causing the tip of one bone to jam into the hollow of another. This leads initially to an inflammation of the joint lining, but if left untreated can lead to pain in the cartilage and bone as well.

Symptoms of elbow impingement are generally felt as tenderness or pain in the back of the elbow, particularly while attempting to straighten the elbow or throw an object. The elbow may swell up, and become stiff, with an increasing difficulty in fully straighten the arm out.

Pain generally starts out gradually and develops over time with continued aggravation and no treatment.

Treatments for Posterior Impingement Syndrome

The following are the most common forms of treatment for Posterior Impingement Syndrome:

Little League Elbow

Little League Elbow is an overuse injury that is caused by repeated forced throwing. It’s common in young little league baseball players, especially pitchers around the age of puberty (ages 9 to 16). What’s more, it occurs in boys more than girls, simply because there are more boys playing in Little League than girls.

The ligament that attaches to the inside of the elbow starts to tug at one of the growth plates, pulling it away from the bone. The growth plate is extremely important at this stage in a child’s life because it is the site where the muscle groups attach that are responsible for flexing the rest and rotating the arm with palm facing down.

Since a child is still growing – and obviously that includes the bones – it causes the dislocated growth plate to become weak and injury prone. Then, when tissue starts breaking down from the overuse of the arm and elbow, it breaks down too fast for the body to be able to repair it.

Little League Elbow can be caused or worsened by throwing the ball too hard or too often, upping the number of weekly pitches too fast and too soon, or throwing too many sliders or curve balls at too young an age.

It’s also possible to develop Little League Elbow from switching into a league that has the pitcher’s mound located farther away than the child is used to from home plate, or the mound is raised, and the child has never thrown from that height.

Symptoms of Little League Elbow

If you have a child who is currently playing baseball, it’s important to be aware of the symptoms of this condition as they might not tell you how they are actually feeling. For example, they might be afraid you won’t let them play baseball anymore, and so they will hide symptoms when they are still easily treatable.

Pain when throwing overhead
Pain located around the bony knob situated on the inside of the elbow
Swelling and inflammation
Redness
Warmth
Pain when lifting heavy objects or gripping something

Treatments for Little League Elbow

The following are the most common forms of treatment for Little League Elbow:

Rest
Changing activities
Learning how to do the same activities in a healthier and safer manner
Practicing warm-up stretching before activity
Occasionally, however, an orthopedic consult may be needed.

Olecranon Bursitis (Elbow Bursitis)

Bursae are the joint’s shock absorbers. They are the gelatinous sacs referred to at the beginning of this article that cushion the bones that meet at a joint.

Olecranon bursitis, also known as elbow bursitis, is when the bursa in the elbow joint is injured, irritated, or inflamed. There are several things that cause elbow bursitis:

Traumatic injury
Extreme pressure for prolonged periods of time (like leaning on a desk for a long time)
Infection
Certain medical conditions including gout and rheumatoid arthritis

The bursa of the elbow joint is located at the tip of the elbow, between the bones of the elbow and the loose skin surrounding it. Its purpose is to enable the skin free movement over the bone beneath. Usually this bursa is flat, but when it becomes injured or irritated it can become inflamed.

The main sign of olecranon bursitis is inflammation, though since the skin around it is so loose, it is sometimes hard to notice right away. But over time, untreated, further inflammation develops, causing pain and eventual difficulty moving the elbow. If an infection is involved, then redness and swelling might also be present.

Treatments for Olecranon Bursitis

The following are the most common forms of treatment for Olecranon Bursitis:

Learn more about treatment options we provide: Conservative Treatment Options for Olecranon Bursitis

Chiropractic for Elbow Pain

Chiropractic is a proven, safe, and effective therapy for elbow pain that promotes healing and restores strength without surgery or medication.

Chiropractic aims not only to relieve the pain itself but to address the structural components such as the muscles and skeleton. Both of which contribute to the condition being there in the first place. ^[1]

Are You Experiencing Elbow Pain?

If you’re experiencing elbow pain, chiropractic care may offer a non-invasive and holistic approach to finding relief. Chiropractors can use various techniques to address the underlying causes of your pain and improve your overall well-being. Learn more about how chiropractic care can help alleviate elbow pain.

“If we only focus on the painful spot but don’t change how the arm is working, the stress usually comes right back to the same place.” – Dr. Todd Renn, D.C.

Chiropractic Care Layers Treatments To

improve mobility
reduce pain
break up scare tissue and adhesions
reduce inflammation
accelerate healing

Without the risks and side effects of medications, injections, or surgeries.

Some of the Treatments we Use Include:

High-Intensity Laser

If you’re experiencing elbow pain, it can make it difficult to perform everyday tasks. Fortunately, we have several tools to help treat elbow pain, including high-intensity class IV laser therapy.

High-intensity laser therapy is a non-invasive and painless treatment that can help reduce inflammation and promote healing in the affected area. Our class IV Laser delivers light energy deep into the tissue, stimulating cellular activity and increasing blood flow to the area. This increased blood flow helps to bring more oxygen and nutrients to the affected area, which can help speed up the healing process.

At Ravenswood Chiropractic in Chicago, we use high-intensity laser therapy to treat various elbow conditions, including tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, and other repetitive strain injuries. The treatment is also effective for conditions such as elbow bursitis and tendonitis.

Dr. Renn says, “One of the benefits of high-intensity laser therapy that I really value besides it’s high effectiveness rate is that it is a non-invasive and drug-free treatment option, which makes it an ideal choice for patients who are looking for a natural way to manage their elbow pain.”

The treatment is quick, with most sessions lasting only a few minutes.

High-intensity laser therapy is a safe and effective treatment option for elbow pain that can help us relieve our patients’ symptoms. If you’re experiencing elbow pain, talk to a chiropractor about whether high-intensity laser therapy may be right for you.

Radial Shockwave Therapy

You might find relief through radial shockwave therapy if you suffer from elbow pain. At Ravenswood Chiropractic in Chicago, we often use this non-invasive treatment to help alleviate pain and promote healing in the affected area.

Shockwave therapy involves using high-energy sound waves to stimulate the affected tissues. Like a laser, this can help increase blood flow to the area, promoting healing and reducing inflammation. It can also help break up scar tissue and stimulate new, healthy tissue growth.

When treating elbow pain with shockwave therapy, we use a handheld wand to apply the shockwaves directly to the affected area. The treatment lasts 5 minutes, with most patients experiencing little to no discomfort during the procedure.

If you’re struggling with elbow pain and are looking for a non-invasive, drug-free treatment option, shockwave therapy may be worth considering. Its ability to promote healing and reduce inflammation makes it a promising option for many patients.

Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care plays a significant role in relieving elbow pain. Through joint manipulations, we can help restore proper joint alignment, improving mobility and reducing pressure on the nerves that may contribute to elbow pain in some instances. Additionally, chiropractors may use other techniques, such as soft tissue manual therapy, stretching or exercises, and lifestyle recommendations, to address underlying issues and promote healing.

Physical Therapy

In addition to chiropractic care, physical therapy can be part of an effective treatment plan for elbow pain. At Ravenswood Chiropractic in Chicago, our SFMA-certified chiropractor will assess the underlying cause of your elbow pain and develop a treatment plan that may include exercises to strengthen the muscles around the elbow, improve the range of motion, and reduce inflammation. By incorporating these exercises into our treatment plans, we aim to restore balance and proper function to the elbow and forearm, providing long-term solutions for elbow pain. We may also use manual therapy, ultrasound, or electrical stimulation techniques to alleviate pain and promote healing. Working with our physical therapy team can help you regain function and reduce pain in your elbow, allowing you to get back to your normal activities.

We Make Getting Elbow Pain Treatment You Need Easy

If you would like to have your health insurance coverage for elbow pain care pre-verified by our patient service team for free and at no obligation to you before you schedule your appointment please click here to submit your insurance information and we will get back to you within one business day.

Additional Payment Options include Flex Spending and Health Savings Accounts as well as our ChiroHealth Discount Program and CareCredit, both of which you can apply for at the time of your visit or by clicking the links above which will take you directly to the page with more information and how to apply.

When Should Elbow Pain Be Checked Urgently?

Most elbow pain like tendon-related issues, can be evaluated in a routine setting.

However, there are situations where it’s important to seek medical attention more quickly. You should consider urgent evaluation if you notice:

a sudden injury, especially if it includes pain or swelling
unable to move the elbow or arm normally
moderate to severe or worsening pain that doesn’t improve with rest
numbness or weakness in the hand or arm
signs of infection such as redness, warmth, or fever

If something feels more intense or unusual than a typical overuse issue, it’s always better to get it checked sooner.

Elbow Pain FAQ

Why does my elbow hurt when I grip things?

That’s one of the most common patterns we see. Pain with gripping is often related to irritation of the tendons that attach at the elbow, especially in conditions like tennis elbow. But it’s not always just the tendon itself. Sometimes it reflects how the shoulder, forearm, and wrist are working together and sharing load. If that load isn’t distributed well, the elbow tends to take on more stress than it should, which can make gripping activities uncomfortable.

What’s the difference between tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow?

The main difference comes down to location. Tennis elbow affects the outside of the elbow, while golfer’s elbow affects the inside. Both involve irritation of tendons, but they affect different muscle groups that control the wrist and hand. Even though the names suggest specific sports, we see both conditions in people who don’t play tennis or golf at all.

Can elbow pain come from the neck or nerves?

Yes, in some cases it can. Nerves that travel from the neck down into the arm can sometimes become irritated or compressed. When that happens, it can create pain, tingling, or discomfort that is felt in the elbow or forearm. This is one of the reasons we don’t just look at the elbow in isolation. A full evaluation helps determine whether the issue is local to the elbow or part of a broader pattern.

When should elbow pain be checked more urgently?

Most elbow pain is not urgent and can be evaluated in a normal clinical setting. However, it’s a good idea to seek more immediate care if you notice:

a sudden injury with significant swelling or deformity
difficulty moving the arm or elbow
severe or worsening pain that doesn’t settle
increasing numbness, weakness, or loss of function
signs of infection such as redness, warmth, or fever

If something feels more intense or unusual than a typical overuse issue, it’s always better to get it checked sooner.

What treatments can help elbow pain without surgery?

Most cases of elbow pain respond well to conservative, non-surgical care when the underlying cause is addressed. Depending on the situation, treatment may include a combination of:

improving joint and movement mechanics
targeted rehabilitation and strengthening
therapies like Class IV laser or shockwave to support tissue healing

The goal is not just to calm symptoms, but to help the area handle load more effectively so the pain is less likely to return.

Take Charge of Your Health and Ask Questions

If you aren’t ready to schedule your first elbow pain appointment yet, consider scheduling a free chiropractic consultation. A free, no obligation, 15 minute consultation is an excellent way for you to meet with our chiropractic physician and ask questions about our elbow pain treatments to see if they are right for you. You can also call or text us at 773.878.7330, our patient care team is happy to help and answer questions.

References

Gliedt JA, Daniels CJ. Chiropractic treatment of lateral epicondylitis: a case report utilizing active release techniques. J Chiropr Med. 2014;13(2):104-109. doi:10.1016/j.jcm.2014.06.009.