If you’re dealing with persistent elbow pain that won’t go away, you may be experiencing Tennis Elbow or Golfer’s Elbow. These conditions are common in athletes — but we regularly see them in office workers, parents, weightlifters, and manual laborers throughout O’Fallon.
At Vital Chiropractic, we don’t just adjust spines — we also provide extremity adjusting, including elbow adjustments, to address the root cause of joint dysfunction and help you heal naturally.
Let’s break down what’s happening and how chiropractic care can help.
What Is Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow is medically known as lateral epicondylitis. It occurs when the tendons on the outside of the elbow become irritated or overloaded.
Common Causes:
- Repetitive gripping
- Typing and mouse use
- Lifting weights
- Racquet sports
- Overuse at work
Symptoms:
- Pain on the outside of the elbow
- Weak grip strength
- Pain when lifting objects
- Discomfort when shaking hands
Despite the name, most people who develop tennis elbow don’t actually play tennis.
What Is Golfer’s Elbow?
Golfer’s elbow, or medial epicondylitis, affects the inside of the elbow.
Common Causes:
- Golf swings
- Throwing sports
- Heavy lifting
- Repetitive wrist flexion
- Manual labor
Symptoms:
- Pain on the inside of the elbow
- Tenderness along the forearm
- Weakness in the hand
- Stiffness when bending the arm
Again, you don’t have to be a golfer to develop this condition.
Why Elbow Pain Doesn’t Always Go Away on Its Own
Most elbow pain is treated with:
- Rest
- Ice
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Braces
While these may reduce symptoms temporarily, they often don’t address the underlying joint restriction or biomechanical imbalance contributing to the irritation.
When the elbow joint isn’t moving properly, surrounding tendons and muscles are forced to compensate — leading to chronic inflammation and pain.
How Chiropractic Care Can Help
At Vital Chiropractic in O’Fallon, MO, we assess not just the elbow, but the entire kinetic chain — including the wrist, shoulder, and even the neck.
One key difference in our approach is extremity adjusting.
What Is Extremity (Elbow) Adjusting?
Extremity adjusting involves specific, gentle chiropractic adjustments to joints outside the spine — including the elbow.
By restoring proper motion to the elbow joint, we can:
- Reduce mechanical stress on tendons
- Improve joint alignment
- Increase range of motion
- Enhance healing
- Restore proper nerve communication
When the joint moves correctly, the surrounding tissues are able to recover more efficiently.
Why Addressing the Elbow Joint Matters
Many cases of tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow involve:
- Restricted radial head movement
- Wrist joint dysfunction
- Shoulder instability
- Poor biomechanics
If you only treat the inflammation without correcting the joint dysfunction, the pain often returns.
At Vital Chiropractic, we focus on correcting the root cause — not just masking symptoms.
Who Is at Risk?
We commonly see tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow in:
- Golfers and tennis players
- CrossFit athletes
- Construction workers
- Hairstylists
- Office workers
- Stay-at-home parents lifting children
- Anyone performing repetitive arm movements
If you live in O’Fallon and are experiencing persistent elbow pain, early intervention can prevent long-term degeneration.
When Should You Seek Care?
If you have:
- Elbow pain lasting more than 1–2 weeks
- Weak grip strength
- Pain when lifting everyday objects
- Recurring flare-ups
- Limited range of motion
It’s time to get evaluated.
The sooner joint dysfunction is corrected, the faster healing can begin.
Natural Elbow Pain Relief.
At Vital Chiropractic, we provide comprehensive care that may include:
- Extremity (elbow) adjustments
- Spinal adjustments
- Movement recommendations
- Stretching guidance
- Lifestyle modification support
Our goal is to help you return to your sport, work, and daily life without relying on medication or repeated injections.
Don’t Let Elbow Pain Slow You Down
Whether it’s tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, or chronic overuse strain, we’re here to help.
www.vitalchiropracticofallon.com
Call or text: 636-339-1100
Schedule your appointment today and find out how extremity adjusting can help you move pain-free again.
