Elbow Pain

The elbow pain can result from direct overuse injury (Wear and tear, Bursitis and Tendonitis) as well as from referred pain which may come from the shoulder or the neck or the wrist.

Overuse injuries – This happens when someone gets repetitive strain injury with excessive typing on key boards or sports injury or lifting injury.

The muscles that allow us to use our hands to type or lift all attach to the elbow, and therefore when they are injured, they give elbow pain in some cases as well as wrist & hand pain.

Referred Pain – This can come from the shoulder or neck problem and or from the hand and wrist.

Wear and tear – Osteoarthritis of the elbow is actually very rare, as it is essentially a non- weight bearing joint, and unless there is a previous injury to the joint (for e.g. a fracture at the level of the elbow, especially if within the joint).

However, if there is other types of arthritis (e.g. Rheumatoid arthritis, Psoriatic arthritis) already affecting other joints, then the likelihood of elbow arthritis of the same type increases.

Tennis and Golfers Elbow (tendonitis) – The most common elbow pain is from tennis or golfers elbow. This is inflammation of the tendon attachments of the elbow which is caused often by overuse injuries.

Although not scientifically proven, Anecdotal experience indicates that Chiropractic treatment to the elbow using manipulation, some sports taping techniques, soft tissue techniques and mobilisation techniques help the injuries to the tendon attachments. The other treatments for this condition include cortisone injections within the tendon attachments, and prescription drugs.