Conditions We Treat
Elbow Pain Treatment in Seattle
Tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, and overuse strain from gripping, typing, climbing, or racquet sports. Our chiropractors pair hands-on care with sports rehab to calm the irritated tendon and rebuild its strength.
The Short Answer
Can a Chiropractor Help Elbow Pain?
For overuse problems like tennis elbow and golfer's elbow, often yes. Care at our Seattle clinic starts with an exam of the elbow, wrist, shoulder, and neck, then combines joint work, soft tissue treatment, and progressive strengthening. Most elbow tendon pain is managed without surgery, and we refer you to a physician if the exam points elsewhere.
What We See
Common Causes of Elbow Pain
Tennis Elbow
Pain on the outside of the elbow from overloaded forearm tendons that extend the wrist. Gripping, lifting a mug, or turning a doorknob often hurts. Despite the name, most people who get it do not play tennis.
Golfer's Elbow
The same overuse problem on the inside of the elbow, where the tendons that flex the wrist and fingers attach. Common with gripping, throwing, climbing, and heavy lifting.
Overuse & Repetitive Strain
Long hours of mouse and keyboard work, tool use, racquet sports, or a sudden jump in training can irritate the forearm muscles and tendons around the elbow.
Climbing & Grip Sports
Climbers, lifters, and racquet players load the forearm hard. Elbow pain often shows up after a stretch of harder sessions with less recovery.
Nerve Irritation
Tingling or numbness into the ring and little fingers can point to the ulnar nerve at the inner elbow. Arm symptoms can also start in the neck, so we check the whole path.
Pain Referred From the Neck or Shoulder
A stiff neck, upper back, or shoulder can change how the arm is loaded, and some elbow pain is felt there but comes from higher up.
Treatment
How We Treat Tennis Elbow and Golfer's Elbow
Your first visit starts with an exam to confirm where the pain is coming from: the tendon itself, a nerve, or the neck and shoulder above it. From there, your plan usually combines several of these, coordinated by one team under one roof:
Chiropractic
An exam of the elbow, wrist, shoulder, and neck to find what is driving the pain, then gentle joint work for the elbow and wrist, plus the neck and upper back when they are part of the problem.
Soft Tissue Work
Hands-on and instrument-assisted soft tissue work on the tight forearm muscles that pull on the irritated tendon, done during your chiropractic visits. Sports massage can be added later, but it books 2 to 3 months out here.
Sports Rehab
The core of most tendon plans: gradual loading of the forearm tendons, grip and shoulder strength work, and changes to training or work setup so the elbow can settle while you stay active.
Taping & Load Management
Functional taping and a plan for which activities to scale back, and for how long, so you are not simply resting and hoping it goes away.
Acupuncture
Some patients add acupuncture to help manage pain while they work through rehab, especially when the elbow has been sore for months.
When to see a doctor instead
- A fall or impact followed by visible deformity, or you cannot bend or straighten the elbow
- A pop at the front of the elbow followed by bruising or a change in the shape of the upper arm
- A hot, red, swollen elbow, or fever
- Numbness or weakness in the hand that is getting worse
- Pain that keeps you up most nights, or no improvement after several weeks of consistent care
Those signs deserve medical evaluation, and we will tell you honestly when a referral makes more sense than another visit with us.
Related Conditions
If the trouble is mostly numbness or tingling in the thumb and first fingers, start with our carpal tunnel and wrist pain page. Tingling that runs from the neck down the arm is covered on our nerve pain page, and if your shoulder hurts too, see shoulder pain treatment.
FAQ
Elbow Pain Questions, Answered
Can a chiropractor help elbow pain?
For many overuse problems like tennis elbow and golfer's elbow, yes, a chiropractor can be a reasonable first stop. At MindBody Med that care combines an exam of the elbow, wrist, shoulder, and neck with joint work, soft tissue treatment, and a sports rehab exercise plan. If the exam points to a fracture, a tendon rupture, or a nerve problem that needs medical care, we refer you.
What is tennis elbow?
Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylalgia) is pain on the outside of the elbow from overloaded tendons that extend the wrist. It usually comes from repeated gripping and wrist movement, at work or in sports, and most people who get it do not play tennis. Gripping, lifting with the palm down, and shaking hands often hurt.
What is golfer's elbow?
Golfer's elbow (medial epicondylalgia) is the same kind of tendon overload on the inside of the elbow, where the muscles that flex the wrist and fingers attach. Gripping, throwing, climbing, and lifting can bring it on. Tingling into the ring and little fingers is a separate sign that the ulnar nerve may be involved.
How long does tennis elbow take to heal?
It varies a lot. Many people improve over several weeks to a few months with consistent rehab and smarter loading, while longstanding cases can take longer. How long you have had it, how much gripping your work or sport demands, and how consistently you do the exercises all affect the timeline.
Should I rest my elbow or keep using it?
Usually somewhere in between. Complete rest tends to weaken the tendon, but pushing through sharp pain keeps it irritated. Most plans scale back the activities that provoke pain for a while and add gradual strengthening, so the tendon can tolerate more load over time.
When should I see a doctor for elbow pain?
See a physician or urgent care after a fall with deformity or if you cannot bend or straighten the elbow, if you felt a pop with bruising, if the elbow is hot, red, and swollen or you have a fever, or if hand numbness or weakness is getting worse. Decisions about injections or surgery belong with a physician, and we help coordinate that referral when it is needed.
Is there an elbow pain chiropractor near me in Seattle?
MindBody Med is at 2705 NE 65th St in Ravenna, Seattle, with free on-site parking plus street parking on NE 65th. We are open Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 6:00pm, same-day chiropractic appointments are often available, and new patients can book online. The $149 first visit includes an exam, consultation, and first treatment.
Red light therapy is an add-on some patients use between visits, since it may help with discomfort from musculoskeletal conditions and support tissue recovery.
Let's Take a Look at That Elbow
New patient evaluation + first treatment for $149. Most insurance accepted.