Relieving Tennis Elbow with Chiropractic and Physiotherapy Care: The Benefits of Shockwave Therapy and Soft Tissue Modalities

Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is a painful condition that affects the outer part of the elbow, typically caused by overuse or repetitive strain. While it’s commonly associated with tennis players, it can affect anyone who performs repetitive arm motions—whether at work, in sports, or during daily activities. The pain can be sharp and debilitating, limiting movement and quality of life.

Fortunately, you don’t have to live with tennis elbow. Chiropractic care, physiotherapy, and shockwave therapy, along with other soft tissue treatments, offer effective, non-invasive solutions to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and promote healing. At Inlet Integrated Health Centre, we provide a multi-disciplinary approach to treating tennis elbow, helping you get back to your activities pain-free.

What is Tennis Elbow?

Tennis elbow is a condition caused by inflammation or micro-tears in the tendons that attach the forearm muscles to the lateral epicondyle, the bony bump on the outer side of the elbow. The condition often arises from repetitive motion and overuse of the muscles in the forearm, leading to irritation and degeneration of the tendons.

Common causes and activities that can lead to tennis elbow include:

• Repetitive sports movements, such as tennis or racquet sports, where the wrist is extended forcefully.

• Repetitive work activities, like typing, painting, or using tools that strain the forearm muscles.

• Heavy lifting or incorrect posture during weight-bearing activities.

Symptoms of tennis elbow include:

• Pain and tenderness on the outer part of the elbow.

• Weakness in the forearm and wrist.

• Difficulty gripping objects or performing tasks that require arm strength.

If left untreated, tennis elbow can lead to chronic pain and limited range of motion. Fortunately, there are effective treatment options available to reduce inflammation, promote healing, and restore function.

How Chiropractic Care Helps with Tennis Elbow

Chiropractic care focuses on restoring joint function, nerve mobility, and muscle balance. While chiropractic treatment is often associated with the spine, it also plays a key role in addressing issues in the upper body, such as tennis elbow.

1. Spinal and Joint Adjustments

When treating tennis elbow, chiropractors don’t just focus on the elbow itself—they also evaluate the alignment of the neck, shoulder, and upper back. Misalignments or imbalances in these areas can affect the mechanics of the arm and exacerbate the strain on the elbow. Through spinal adjustments and mobilizations, chiropractors can restore proper alignment, improving the function of the entire upper body and reducing tension on the elbow joint.

2. Nerve Mobility and Release

Nerve entrapment in the neck or upper back can also contribute to elbow pain. Chiropractors often use techniques to improve nerve mobility, ensuring that the nerves running from the spine to the arm and hand are not being compressed. By addressing nerve tension, chiropractic care helps reduce radiating pain, improve arm function, and speed up the healing process.

3. Muscle Balance and Stretching

Chiropractors also assess muscle imbalances in the forearm, shoulder, and upper back that may be contributing to the strain on the elbow. Targeted stretching and adjustments help release tight muscles, improving flexibility and range of motion. Correcting muscle imbalances reduces the stress on the tendons, allowing the elbow to heal.

The Role of Physiotherapy in Treating Tennis Elbow

While chiropractic care addresses joint and nerve health, physiotherapy plays a key role in strengthening the muscles, improving range of motion, and facilitating functional recovery. A physiotherapist will assess your condition and develop a personalized treatment plan to restore your elbow’s function.

1. Targeted Strengthening Exercises

Physiotherapists use rehabilitative exercises to strengthen the muscles surrounding the elbow and forearm. Strengthening these muscles helps relieve pressure from the affected tendons and supports better overall arm function. Gradually increasing strength also prevents the risk of future injuries, allowing you to return to sports and daily activities with more resilience.

2. Stretching and Flexibility Techniques

Tight muscles in the forearm can exacerbate pain and limit mobility in the elbow. Physiotherapists use stretching techniques to relieve muscle tightness and improve flexibility. Stretching also helps prevent future injuries by improving the length and function of the muscles in the forearm and wrist.

3. Postural Correction and Ergonomics

Poor posture or improper body mechanics while lifting or typing can contribute to tennis elbow. Physiotherapists evaluate your posture and ergonomic habits and teach you techniques for better posture and body mechanics. This can help reduce strain on the elbow and prevent further irritation of the tendons.

Shockwave Therapy: A Powerful Tool for Healing

One of the most effective and non-invasive treatments for tennis elbow is shockwave therapy. Shockwave therapy uses high-energy sound waves to stimulate healing in injured tissues, promote blood flow, and reduce pain. This technique has been shown to be especially beneficial for chronic tendon injuries like tennis elbow.

1. How Shockwave Therapy Works

During shockwave therapy, a device emits acoustic waves that penetrate deep into the tissues, stimulating the body’s natural healing response. These waves promote increased circulation, break down scar tissue, and encourage collagen production—all of which help speed up the recovery process.

2. Benefits of Shockwave Therapy for Tennis Elbow

• Pain relief: Shockwave therapy helps reduce pain by improving circulation and decreasing inflammation in the elbow tendons.

• Faster healing: The therapy stimulates the body’s natural repair processes, promoting faster recovery and reducing recovery time.

• Non-invasive: Shockwave therapy is a safe, non-surgical treatment option for individuals with tennis elbow, making it an attractive alternative to more invasive procedures.

• Chronic condition management: For individuals suffering from chronic tennis elbow, shockwave therapy has been shown to provide significant long-term relief, even when other treatments have failed.

Other Soft Tissue Modalities for Tennis Elbow

In addition to chiropractic care, physiotherapy, and shockwave therapy, there are several soft tissue modalities that can help accelerate healing and reduce pain from tennis elbow. These treatments include:

1. Soft Tissue Release Techniques

Therapists use soft tissue release methods, such as myofascial release and deep tissue massage, to target the muscles and fascia surrounding the elbow. These techniques help relieve tightness, break up adhesions, and restore proper tissue flexibility. By addressing the underlying soft tissue issues, these treatments reduce pressure on the tendons and improve overall healing.

2. Kinesiology Taping

Kinesiology taping involves applying special elastic tape to the affected area. The tape lifts the skin slightly, allowing for better circulation and reducing pressure on the injured tendons. This technique provides support to the elbow while promoting movement and reducing pain.

3. Dry Needling or Acupuncture

Dry needling and acupuncture are techniques that involve inserting fine needles into specific trigger points or muscle knots to release tension and improve blood flow. These methods are used to reduce pain, promote healing, and alleviate muscle spasms in the forearm and elbow area.

Combining Chiropractic, Physiotherapy, and Shockwave Therapy for Best Results

At Inlet Integrated Health Centre, we believe in a multi-disciplinary approach to treating tennis elbow. By combining chiropractic care, physiotherapy, shockwave therapy, and soft tissue modalities, we provide comprehensive treatment that addresses the root cause of the injury while reducing pain and promoting healing.

Each individual’s condition is unique, which is why we offer personalized treatment plans tailored to your specific needs. Whether you’re a weekend warrior, a professional athlete, or simply someone who wants to get back to pain-free living, our team is here to support you on your journey to recovery.

Find Relief from Tennis Elbow Today

If you’re struggling with tennis elbow, you don’t have to endure the pain any longer. Chiropractic care, physiotherapy, shockwave therapy, and other soft tissue treatments can help reduce pain, improve function, and speed up the healing process. At Inlet Integrated Health Centre, our team of healthcare professionals is here to provide you with a customized treatment plan to address your unique needs and get you back to doing the things you love.

Contact us today to learn more about our comprehensive treatment options for tennis elbow and take the first step toward lasting relief!