Tennis Elbow Treatment in Rochester, NY
When elbow pain begins to limit your reach, your grip, or your ability to complete daily activities, it may point to a deeper issue—like tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow. These painful conditions can affect anyone, not just athletes, and often stem from overuse of the forearm muscles or repetitive strain on the tendons.
Our team takes a root‒cause approach—focused on restoring function, reducing stress on the affected area, and helping you move through everyday life with greater ease. Using hands‒on chiropractic care, soft tissue techniques, and personalized movement plans, we help patients regain comfort and mobility—without surgery or long‒term medication use.
Ready to start your recovery? Book your appointment today and take the next step toward lasting relief.
What is Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow is a painful condition that affects the tendons on the outer part of the elbow—often caused by overuse or repetitive strain of the wrist and forearm muscles. Despite the name, this injury isn’t limited to tennis players. Many patients develop symptoms from daily activities like typing, lifting, or home projects that involve gripping or twisting motions.
This type of tendon strain—also known as lateral epicondylitis—can lead to inflammation, stiffness, and weakness in the affected arm. Most patients feel pain when extending the wrist, lifting objects, or performing movements that require grip strength. Without proper care, these symptoms can worsen over time and begin to interfere with mobility, work, and quality of life.
If you’re dealing with elbow pain that isn’t improving, schedule your appointment today. We’re here to help you move better and feel stronger.
Common Causes of Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow usually develops over time as a result of repetitive motion or ongoing strain placed on the forearm muscles and tendons. While it’s common in athletes, this condition affects people from all walks of life—including those with jobs or hobbies that involve frequent gripping, lifting, or twisting.
At Crossroads Chiropractic & Health Center, we help identify what’s really causing your elbow pain—so we can treat it at the source. Some of the most common contributors include:
Repetitive Stress
Daily activities like typing, painting, gardening, or lifting can place ongoing tension on the tendons that connect the forearm muscles to the elbow joint.
Improper Technique
Using poor form during sports, workouts, or repetitive tasks can overload specific joints and lead to tendon strain or micro-tears.
Work‒Related Motion
Careers in plumbing, carpentry, or assembly often involve forceful hand and wrist movements that increase the risk of injury over time.
Athletes who play tennis, golf, or racquet sports are especially prone to this condition due to the repetitive nature of their arm movements.
As tendons lose elasticity with age, they become more vulnerable to damage—especially when paired with joint degeneration or underlying arthritis.
Previous Trauma or Muscle Imbalances
Past injuries or weakness in surrounding areas like the shoulder or wrist may shift tension to the elbow and increase the chance of reinjury.
What are the Symptoms of Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow can develop gradually or suddenly, depending on the cause. In many cases, symptoms begin as mild discomfort and slowly progress—interfering with work, hobbies, or daily living.
Some of the most common symptoms include:
Persistent pain on the outer part of the elbow.
Tenderness when pressing near the elbow joint.
Discomfort that radiates into the forearm or wrist.
Weak grip strength or difficulty lifting objects.
Pain when twisting, reaching, or extending the arm.
Stiffness in the elbow or fingers, especially in the morning.
Worsening symptoms during repetitive activities.
A burning or aching sensation near the affected area.
What are the Treatment Options for Tennis Elbow?
At Crossroads Chiropractic & Health Center, our goal is to treat tennis elbow at the root—not just manage the symptoms. Whether the pain is new or you’ve been struggling for months, we take a personalized approach that supports healing, reduces strain, and restores function.
Your care plan may include a combination of the following:
Gentle adjustments to the spine, shoulder, and upper body can help restore balance and reduce tension in the joints and muscles surrounding the elbow. This hands-on approach improves motion, relieves stress on the affected area, and supports full-body alignment.
Tight or irritated muscles in the forearm, wrist, and shoulder can prolong healing. Our targeted manual techniques help reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and release restrictions in the tissues connected to the elbow joint.
This non-invasive treatment uses focused light to stimulate tissue repair, reduce inflammation, and ease discomfort. It’s especially helpful for patients experiencing persistent elbow pain or chronic tendon strain.
Stretching and Mobility Guidance
We may recommend at-home exercises to improve flexibility and strengthen the muscles that support your elbow. These guided stretches are designed to support recovery without overloading the joints—especially helpful for athletes or patients with active lifestyles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to fix a tennis elbow?
The best results often come from a combination of hands-on care, movement guidance, and strategies that reduce strain on the tendons. While physical therapy and stretching can help build strength, many patients benefit from chiropractic adjustments and soft tissue therapy to alleviate pressure and restore function—without the need for surgery or aggressive procedures.
Do tennis elbows heal on their own?
In mild cases, symptoms may improve with rest and reduced activity. But in most patients, persistent pain signals that the underlying issue still needs attention. Early care helps prevent degeneration, supports healing, and avoids the need for more invasive treatments down the line.
What should I avoid doing if I have tennis elbow?
Avoid repetitive gripping, lifting, or twisting—especially if these movements worsen your pain. It’s also best to avoid relying solely on steroid injections or anti-inflammatory medications, which may mask symptoms without treating the root cause. Gentle stretching and guided care can promote recovery more effectively.
What’s the difference between tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow?
Both are overuse injuries, but they affect different areas of the joint. Tennis elbow causes pain on the outer elbow (lateral side), while golfer’s elbow affects the inner side (medial). A physical evaluation can help confirm the diagnosis and create the right treatment plan to alleviate symptoms and protect the joint.
