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Can a chiropractor treat tennis elbow?

Author

William Rodriguez

Published Jan 18, 2026

Chiropractic treatment is effective for tennis elbow. Your chiropractor will assess your pain and first determine the cause of your tennis elbow. Chiropractic treatment for tennis elbow may include: Adjustments to the elbow and wrist which mobilize the joints and decrease compression and inflammation of the joints.

Can chiropractors adjust elbows?

Joint manipulation from your chiropractor is designed to make your joints move properly. The chiropractor will gently move your elbow back and forth to realign it and to ensure that it goes as far as it should go, and no further.

What is the fastest way to cure tennis elbow?

Your doctor may recommend the following self-care measures:

  1. Rest. Avoid activities that aggravate your elbow pain.
  2. Pain relievers. Try over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) or naproxen (Aleve).
  3. Ice. Apply ice or a cold pack for 15 minutes three to four times a day.
  4. Technique.

Is there a permanent cure for tennis elbow?

Tennis elbow will get better without treatment (known as a self-limiting condition). Tennis elbow usually lasts between 6 months and 2 years, with most people (90%) making a full recovery within a year. The most important thing to do is to rest your injured arm and stop doing the activity that caused the problem.

What doctor should I see for elbow pain?

Specialists who treat elbow pain and injuries include orthopedic surgeons, sports medicine doctors, rheumatologists, physiatrists, physical therapists, and athletic trainers. Elbow pain can interfere with work and play activities, so it's important to get your elbow checked if your pain doesn't go away.

16 related questions found

Does tennis elbow show up on xray?

X-ray. While X-rays won't be able to show anything pertaining to tennis elbow, they will help your doctor rule out other conditions, such as arthritis.

When should I see a doctor for tennis elbow?

Call your doctor if you have: Pain when grasping, twisting, or lifting objects. Problems caused by your elbow pain. Elbow pain after 2 weeks of home treatment or if treatment is making your elbow pain worse.

Why is my tennis elbow not healing?

If the abnormal tension caused by trigger points in your forearm muscles is contributing to your tennis elbow it will stop it from healing, or it will settle down but easily flare up again. When this happens too often treatment will be directed at the injured area.

What happens if tennis elbow goes untreated?

Tennis elbow does not usually lead to serious problems. If the condition continues and is left untreated, however, loss of motion or loss of function of the elbow and forearm can develop.

What can be mistaken for tennis elbow?

Medial epicondylitis, or golfer's elbow, causes pain in the same area as tennis elbow. However, there are different muscles responsible for the strain that comes from golfer's elbow. Patients feel the pain on the inside of the elbow. Some might feel it in the forearm and wrist.

Should you massage tennis elbow?

Deep tissue massage to the forearm is a very effective method of easing tennis elbow and healing it much faster than rest alone. Deep tissue massage will enhance circulation and combining this with friction therapy to the tendons on the elbow joint, positive results are seen.

Does Voltaren work for tennis elbow?

Voltaren Emulgel is used to treat pain and inflammation of muscles, joints, tendons and ligaments, due to sprains and strains, sports injuries (eg. tennis elbow) and soft tissue rheumatism (eg. bursitis; tendinitis).

Is it better to keep your arm straight or bent with tennis elbow?

Sleeping with tennis elbow

To avoid putting strain on your elbow while recovering from tennis elbow, you should sleep on your back and try to keep your arms in a straighter, more natural relaxed position. It helps to prop up each arm on pillows on either side of you.

Does acupuncture help tennis elbow?

Acupuncture treatment has been shown to help provide significant pain relief for tennis elbow. Acupuncture treatment can help to reduce inflammation and improve blood flow to injured areas to aid and speed healing of various types of tendonitis.

Can chiropractors help tendonitis?

A chiropractor is familiar with the causes and symptoms of tendonitis. Chiropractic treatment for tendonitis will improve the health of your tendons or the tendons may fully recover from the condition. This natural and therapeutic approach will address the discomfort you are feeling.

Can tennis elbow lead to permanent damage?

This type of injury is called a strain, and usually results in formation of scar tissue. Over time, strained tendons become thickened, bumpy, and irregular. Without rest and time for the tissue to heal, strained tendons can become permanently weakened.

Is Tiger Balm good for tennis elbow?

Elbow Pain, Lateral Epicondylitis, Tennis Elbow

Some people attempt to place creams such as tiger balm or icy hot, do ice massage, wear a wrap around their forearm, get a cortisone shot and or physical therapy and may have some success but unfortunately many show limited success.

Does tennis elbow ever need surgery?

Surgery is usually done when there are large tears in the tendon from a sudden (acute) injury or if there is other severe damage to the elbow. Your doctor might recommend surgery if: You have elbow pain after more than 6 to 12 months of tendon rest and rehabilitation.

Do cortisone shots work for tennis elbow?

“The traditional treatment for lateral epicondylitis, or tennis elbow, is to use physical therapy followed by a cortisone injection to relieve pain,” Dr. Scofield explains. “Cortisone injections are popular because they've been used for decades, they are affordable, and insurance covers them.

Is Deep heat good for tennis elbow?

Heat is a solution to provide long-term healing and relief from the pain of tennis elbow. Applying heat to your tennis elbow promotes the flow of blood to this area. The heat relaxes and expands the muscles around your elbow and improves blood flow.

How long does it take for tennis elbow to recover?

Recovery can take four to six months. Once you've had tennis elbow, you may need to wear a brace to keep symptoms from returning.

How do I know if I have tennis elbow or something else?

pain extending from the outside of the elbow down to the forearm and wrist. a weak grip. increased pain when shaking hands or squeezing an object. pain when lifting something, using tools, or opening jars.

Is tennis elbow a disability?

To qualify for disability benefits, you must show the SSA that your tendonitis is severe enough to last for at least a year and prevents you from working. This means that your condition must be backed by medical evidence that includes objective symptoms and lab tests, X-rays and/or results from a physical exam.

Why does tennis elbow hurt more at night?

Many people find that it hurts the worst first thing in the morning, because the muscles and tendons stiffen during sleep, when we're relatively immobile and circulation drops. This overnight stiffening can exacerbate the pain once you get up and begin moving the arm.

How should I sleep with tennis elbow pain?

Three tips for sleeping well with tennis elbow

  1. Avoid sleeping on the affected arm. Many people are most comfortable sleeping on their side, but this can also cause problems when you're sleeping with tennis elbow. ...
  2. Support your elbow with pillows. ...
  3. Use a brace while sleeping.