Elbow Pain: Understanding Tennis Elbow, Golfer's Elbow, and How Osteopathy Can Help
Elbow pain is a common complaint that can significantly interfere with everyday tasks, from lifting a kettle to shaking hands. While often related to sports, many cases of elbow pain develop from repetitive work tasks or general daily activities.
Osteopathy provides a comprehensive approach to elbow pain. We look beyond the site of discomfort to understand how your wrist, shoulder, neck, and overall posture contribute to the problem, addressing the root cause for lasting relief.
Key Facts About Elbow Pain
Common in Adults: Elbow pain frequently affects adults between the ages of 40 and 60, with lateral elbow pain (tennis elbow) being the most common type.
Not Just for Athletes: Only about 5-10% of people diagnosed with "tennis elbow" actually play tennis. It is more often an overuse injury from repetitive manual work or hobbies.
Impact of Posture: Poor posture, particularly in the neck and shoulders, can alter nerve and muscle function, contributing to elbow pain.
Common Causes of Elbow Pain
Understanding the source of your pain is the first step toward effective treatment. Common causes include:
Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow): Pain on the outside of the elbow where the tendons of the forearm muscles attach to the bony bump. It is caused by overuse of the forearm extensor muscles.
Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer's Elbow): Pain on the inside of the elbow where the tendons of the forearm flexor muscles attach. It is caused by overuse of the forearm flexor muscles.
Olecranon Bursitis: Inflammation of the small, fluid-filled sac (bursa) at the tip of the elbow, leading to swelling and tenderness.
Nerve Entrapment: Nerves that pass through the elbow, such as the ulnar nerve ("funny bone"), can become compressed or irritated, causing pain, numbness, or tingling in the elbow, forearm, or fingers.
Arthritis: Osteoarthritis (wear-and-tear) or rheumatoid arthritis can affect the elbow joint, causing pain, stiffness, and a loss of range of motion.
Referred Pain: Pain that is felt in the elbow but originates from a problem elsewhere, most commonly the neck (cervical spine) or shoulder.
How Can Osteopathy Help with Elbow Pain?
Osteopathic treatment for elbow pain is holistic. We don't just focus on the painful elbow; we assess the entire kinetic chain—from your neck and shoulder down to your wrist—to identify the underlying reasons for the dysfunction.
During your initial consultation, we will:
Take a detailed history to understand how your pain started, your daily activities, and what movements aggravate it.
Perform a thorough physical examination of your elbow, assessing its range of motion, strength, and the specific tendons involved.
Conduct a postural and spinal assessment of your neck, shoulder, and wrist, as restrictions in these areas are frequently linked to elbow pain.
This comprehensive approach allows us to create a tailored treatment plan.
What Does Osteopathic Treatment Involve?
Using a range of gentle, hands-on techniques, we aim to:
Reduce Pain and Muscle Tension: Soft tissue massage, myofascial release, and stretching are used to relax the tight forearm, upper arm, and shoulder muscles, alleviating tension on the elbow tendons.
Improve Joint Mobility: Gentle articulation and mobilisation techniques can help restore normal, pain-free movement to the elbow joint, as well as to the joints of the neck, shoulder, and wrist that are crucial for healthy arm function.
Address Nerve Irritation: If your elbow pain is referred from your neck or involves nerve compression, we use specific techniques to relieve pressure and improve nerve mobility.
Correct Biomechanical Imbalances: We work to improve the function and coordination of the entire upper limb to ensure efficient movement and reduce strain on the elbow.
Provide Personalised Rehabilitation and Advice: You will receive guidance on specific exercises to strengthen weakened muscles, improve flexibility, and correct contributing postural habits, along with advice on activity modification and ergonomics.
When to Seek Immediate Medical Help
While most elbow pain is musculoskeletal, certain symptoms require prompt medical attention. Please consult your GP or seek urgent care if your elbow pain is accompanied by any of the following:
A history of significant trauma, such as a fall, with an obvious deformity or inability to move the elbow.
Signs of infection, such as fever, significant redness, warmth, or swelling around the joint.
Severe pain and sudden inability to straighten the elbow, which may indicate a tendon rupture.
Numbness, tingling, or significant weakness that travels down the arm into the hand.
Find Lasting Relief from Elbow Pain
Living with persistent elbow pain can be frustrating and limiting. Osteopathy provides a safe, effective, and drug-free approach to not only alleviating your pain but also addressing the root causes to ensure a full recovery and prevent future issues.
Click here to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced osteopaths. Let us help you get back to your daily activities, pain-free.
References
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). (2020). Musculoskeletal conditions. [Link: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/chronic-musculoskeletal-conditions/musculoskeletal-conditions]
*Vaquero-Picado, A., Barco, R., & Antuña, S. A. (2016). Lateral epicondylitis of the elbow. EFORT Open Reviews, 1(11), 391–397. [Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5367546/]*
Ciccotti, M. C., Schwartz, M. A., & Ciccotti, M. G. (2004). Diagnosis and treatment of medial epicondylitis of the elbow. Clinics in Sports Medicine, 23(4), 693–705. [Link: https://www.sportsmed.theclinics.com/article/S0278-5919(04)00094-9/abstract]
Disclaimer: This blog post provides general information only and is not intended as a substitute for professional health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a registered health practitioner, such as your General Practitioner (GP) or osteopath, for diagnosis and treatment of health conditions. The information provided is based on the best available evidence at the time of publication but should not be relied upon as a sole source of information. Individual results from osteopathic treatment may vary based on the individual’s specific condition and response to care.