Although people have heard the terms “Tennis Elbow” and “Golfer’s Elbow,” there is still confusion about how these two elbow conditions are different. In medical terms, Tennis Elbow is lateral epicondylitis and Golfer’s Elbow is medial epicondylitis. Both conditions of epicondylitis occur when there is an injury to the tendons that attaches the forearm muscles to the forearm bone at the elbow joint. In simple terms, Tennis Elbow affects the outer part of the elbow and Golfer’s Elbow affects the inner part of the elbow. In either case, these injuries will typically develop after constant strain on the tendons, and these forceful movements are used in golf and tennis where the player is twisting their wrists a certain way.
Golfer’s Elbow or Tennis Elbow are not the end to your sporting life, so don’t get discouraged by these injuries. The good news is that they will heal in time, and, depending on your condition, a chiropractic adjustment has the potential of accelerating your recovery time without having to take medications or get surgery. If you are suffering from Tennis Elbow or Golfer’s Elbow, call your local chiropractor to schedule an appointment today.
As one of the most used joints in the body, the elbow relies on proper nerve function to promote blood flow. Misaligned vertebrae or a pinched nerve in the shoulder or upper back can cause the nerves to weaken, which provides an ideal environment for injuries such as Tennis Elbow or Golfer’s elbow. This is precisely where a chiropractor can help with improving symptoms for these conditions.
Nerve function can have a tremendous impact on elbow pain, especially if there is inflammation and swelling. Swelling does not typically occur as a result of Tennis Elbow or Golfer’s Elbow. However, under severe circumstances, the injury could have produced other issues in the elbow that involve the muscles and other tissues. Most people don’t realize that they have Golfer’s Elbow or Tennis Elbow until after about a week of suffering from the same elbow pain.
Tennis Elbow Common Symptoms:
- Radiating pain from the outer part of the elbow and down the forearm
- Tender skin in the area outside of the elbow
- Loss of strength and weakness in the forearm and with grip
- Pain when grabbing items or holding items, twisting arm in a certain direction,
- Pain when playing tennis, especially when performing backhand strokes
Golfer’s Elbow Common Symptoms:
- Radiating pain down the inside of the arm and the elbow
- Tenderness and pain on the inside of your elbow
- Weakness in the hand and wrist
- Numbness and tingling in the ring and little fingers
- Pain when grabbing items or flexing the wrist
Remember that tennis players and golfers are not the only people to experience Tennis Elbow or Golfer’s Elbow. Anybody that performs repetitive motions with the arms where their wrist and forearm are constantly twisting are at risk of experiencing Tennis Elbow or Golfer’s Elbow.
If you are suffering from Tennis Elbow or Golfer’s Elbow, call your local chiropractor to schedule an appointment today. They just might be able to help you get back into the swing of things.
