Elbow & Wrist Pain
Elbow & Wrist Pain
From work to play to the everyday, we rely on our hands for just about all we do. Athletes place even more demands on their hands and, often, in ways that open them up to stress and injury.
The hands, forearm, and elbow are comprised of multiple bones, ligaments, tendons, and joints, many of which are connected and allow you to do all the things you need to do — grip, open, push, pull, and more. When you experience pain in the wrist, elbow, or both, it may be for the same or separate reasons. Regardless, sports chiropractic is a proven treatment for chronic pain and acute injury in the elbow and wrists, and all points in between.
ELBOW PAIN
The most common elbow injuries among athletes are often tennis and golf elbow — conditions not restricted to people who play those sports. Tennis and other racquet sport enthusiasts, as well as golf and baseball players can be affected by one or the other, as can people who daily perform tasks requiring similar movements.
While tennis and golf elbow are extremely similar conditions, they are differentiated by the location of the pain. Tennis elbow pain is centered on the lateral (outer) side of the arm, while golfer’s elbow affects the medial — or inside — of the arm. Both are repetitive-use injuries that cause stress to the joint over time.
Symptoms begin with inflammation and soreness during activity or with the rotation of the joint, and may not only eventually keep you from playing your sport, but using your cell phone or opening a jar.
WRIST PAIN
Like the elbow, the wrist is susceptible to overuse injuries. The most common are De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis, which causes pain with the rotation of the wrist, and Stenosing Tenosynovitis, where the pointer or “trigger finger” gets stuck in position. Both of these are inflammatory conditions that affect not only athletes, but those with diabetes, arthritis, among other conditions.
Another very common reason for wrist pain is carpal tunnel syndrome, which occurs when the median nerve that runs from the forearm to the hand becomes compressed. This can cause pain, tingling and numbness all the way to the fingers.
Chronic conditions of the wrist and elbow that cannot be traced to previous injury are generally caused by repetitive tasks that involve the hand and wrist, such as typing with the wrists resting on hard surfaces or frequently working with a particular tool. While, overuse injuries may seem less serious (and not as likely to affect you long term) it is still important to treat them. Initial symptoms like burning, numbness, tingling or generalized pain, can become exacerbated to the point you are unable to play your sport or perform regular activities.
ACUTE INJURIES
While bone breaks unfortunately do happen, many acute injuries that happen while playing contact sports occur as the result of a traumatic impact, accident or fall from the rapid over stretching of the ligaments and tendons in the arm, wrists or hands.
While some acute injuries, like a fracture or ligament tear, may require orthopedic care, others can be rehabbed with sports chiropractic physical therapy. If surgery or other orthopedic intervention is required, sports chiropractic can be extremely beneficial for rehabilitating the joint and speeding up healing.
SPORTS CHIROPRACTIC FOR ELBOW & WRIST PAIN
Sports chiropractic is an excellent first line treatment for pain during activity. Your assessment begins with a thorough evaluation that may involve manual manipulation of the muscles, tendons and ligaments of the hand to create specific tension, and identify instability, laxity, compression and impingement.
In addition to manipulating the bones when necessary, chiropractors employ other techniques such as ultrasound imaging, dry needling, and stretching techniques designed to free constrictions, reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. These modalities can both help immediate pain and inflammation and encourage more complete healing.
Elbow and wrist injuries are common among athletes and can be caused by overuse, trauma or chronic wear and tear. With proper treatment, however, many patients can recover fully and return to their previous level of activity.
If you are having pain in the elbow, wrist or both during activity, it is important to get an evaluation as early as possible. Contact DTX Sports Medicine for an evaluation.
Call DTX Sports Medicine Today!
DTX Sports Medicine can identify the cause of your pain and use proven modalities to relieve discomfort and slow the progression of symptoms to keep you active.