Elbow Pain Causes and Treatment Options

These are a few common diagnoses we screen and treat for regarding elbow symptoms. This list is not exhaustive as many symptoms and concerns do not have great diagnoses.

1. Lateral Epicondylitis
2. Medial Epicondylitis
3. Bicep Tendonitis
4. Olecranon Bursitis
5. Myalgia
6. Myofascial Trigger Points
7. Sprain/Strain
8. Osteochondritis Dissecans
9. Cervical Radiculopathy

What causes pain and what is the source of pain are two different matters. However, these two matters, conceptually, become jumbled up into one. We should always separate these two as they are profoundly different. Causes can be infinite. The way you think, feel, move, or rest may cause the pain. Therefore “causes of pain” may be infinite. However, the source of pain may be local to the place of pain, irritating local pain fibers, or much further away, resulting in the need for further investigation and categorization of the pain if long-lasting results, or results at all, are the desired outcome.

The elbow joint is considered a hinge joint and is made of three bones – humerus, radius, ulna. Surrounding all joints there must be a balance between tension and compression of the ligaments, muscles, tendons, and fascia to maintain optimal movement health.

Mechanical elbow pain is often the consequence of problems stemming from the neck and less-than-ideal scapulothoracic awareness. The elbow, like the knee, can be viewed as the middle child. It will take on stress from the area above and below – i.e. the shoulder complex and wrist/hand. This is why elbow pain is often the symptom of the scapulothoracic joint and wrist joint dysfunctions.

When a local problem is determined to be a local cause, it can be due to an imbalance of soft-tissue structures. This requires mobilization and release of tight structures in addition to strengthening weak or inhibited structure of the painful joint as well as the joints above and below.

By offering our various programs we can quickly assess and test what is driving your symptoms and in turn providing quick options for care. Because of this, we will not only speed up recovery, but decrease overall expenses.