{"id":7488,"date":"2025-09-14T16:33:03","date_gmt":"2025-09-14T16:33:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/physiotherapyfirst.ca\/?p=7488"},"modified":"2026-03-03T12:17:53","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T12:17:53","slug":"can-a-chiropractor-fix-tennis-elbow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coderbeans.com\/physiotherapy-first-2.0-dev\/blog\/can-a-chiropractor-fix-tennis-elbow","title":{"rendered":"Can a Chiropractor Fix Tennis Elbow?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Yes, a licensed chiropractor can treat tennis elbow symptoms through non-invasive methods like spinal adjustments and manual therapy. Tennis elbow, also known as lateral Epicondylitis, is a condition where the tiny bump at the outer side of your elbow becomes painful and tender. While the pain is localized at the elbow, over time, it can spread down the forearm towards the wrist, making daily activities uncomfortable. Some struggle with lifting objects or workouts, while others face challenges at work because of pain flaring up after typing for too long. Chiropractic treatments restore the normal mechanics of the affected joints and soft tissues, reducing stress on the elbow and improving its function. This blog uncovers what tennis elbow exactly is, its underlying causes, common symptoms and how a chiropractor can fix it.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s begin.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0What is Tennis Elbow\/Lateral Epicondylitis?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

To understand tennis elbow<\/a> (lateral epicondylitis), let\u2019s first take a look at our elbow joint\u2019s anatomy.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Think of the elbow joint like a hinge door plus a swivel joint all in one, allowing you to bend your arm or rotate your forearm as you would need to turn your palm up or down.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Component<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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What it does<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

The three main bones that make up the elbow joint<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n– <\/span>Humerus<\/span><\/b>: the upper-arm bone<\/span>
\n– <\/span>Ulna<\/span><\/b>: the inner forearm bone (on pinky side)<\/span>
\n– <\/span>Radius<\/span><\/b>: the outer forearm bone (on thumb side) <\/span>
\nThese bones form the \u201cframework\u201d of the elbow.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hinge Joint (Humeroulnar joint)<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nLike a door hinge, it\u2019s what lets your arm bend (flex) and straighten (extend).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Other Joints (Humeroradial + Proximal Radioulnar)<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nSo you can twist your hand, like turning a doorknob or pouring water from a jug.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cartilage & Joint Surfaces<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nActs like Teflon or a smooth pad between the bones so they glide, not grind.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ligaments<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n– <\/span>Ulnar collateral ligament (inside of elbow)<\/span><\/b>
\n– <\/span>Lateral collateral \/ radial collateral ligament (outside of elbow)<\/span><\/b>
\n– <\/span>Annular ligament<\/span><\/b> (wraps around the radius). <\/span>
\nThese keep everything from wobbling out of place when you move.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Muscles & Tendons<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n– <\/span>Flexor muscles<\/span><\/b> (attach on the inner side of the elbow) \u2014 let you bend your wrist\/fingers <\/span>
\n– <\/span>Extensor muscles<\/span><\/b> (attach on the outer side) \u2014 let you straighten your wrist\/fingers. <\/span>
\nTendons anchor these muscles to bone. For tennis elbow, the <\/span>extensor tendons at the outer elbow often become overworked or injured.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Joint Capsule & Synovium \/ Synovial Fluid<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nThink of this like a sealed bag of oil that keeps all the moving parts smooth and protected.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u00a0<\/span>How Does This Relate to Tennis Elbow?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Tennis elbow involves a large group of extensor muscles in your forearm. These muscles are attached to the bump on the outside of your elbow (Lateral Epicondyle) via tendons. When these extensor muscles are overused due to repetitive movements of the forearm, the tendons are also tugged at the lateral epicondyle or the bony bump on the outer part of your elbow. Repeated use of the extensor muscles can cause tears in the tendon, leading to inflammation. These microscopic tendon tears and inflammation cause pain on the outside of the elbow, which is the main characteristic of tennis elbow.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What Can Cause Tennis Elbow?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Here is the list of common causes:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n