Conditions We Treat
Elbow pain is one of those problems that creeps up slowly, then suddenly makes everything difficult. Gripping a coffee cup, turning a door handle, shaking someone's hand: movements you normally do without thinking become surprisingly painful. It's a common complaint, affecting roughly 1 to 3% of the general population at any given time, with higher rates among people who do repetitive manual or desk-based work.
The most frequent diagnosis we see is lateral epicondylalgia, commonly known as tennis elbow. Despite the name, fewer than 10% of cases are actually linked to tennis. Repetitive gripping, typing and mouse use are far more common causes. The condition involves degeneration of the common extensor tendon on the outer elbow. Medial epicondylalgia (golfer's elbow) is a similar problem on the inner side. Both tend to develop gradually from repetitive overload rather than a single injury.
Current evidence supports manual therapy and progressive exercise as first-line treatment for elbow tendinopathy. A 2019 systematic review in the Journal of Hand Therapy found that manual therapy combined with exercise produced greater improvements in pain and grip strength compared to wait-and-see approaches. The key to recovery is progressive tendon loading, which means gradually increasing demand on the tendon to stimulate repair and build tolerance.
We also look beyond the elbow itself. Neck and shoulder problems frequently refer pain to the elbow, and thoracic spine stiffness can alter how forces are distributed down the arm. A 2020 study in Musculoskeletal Science and Practice confirmed that cervical and thoracic mobilisation can improve outcomes in lateral elbow pain. In practice, this means we assess and treat the whole upper limb chain rather than focusing on the elbow in isolation.
Treatment typically includes joint mobilisation of the elbow, wrist and thoracic spine, soft tissue techniques for the forearm muscles and a structured home exercise programme. We find that most patients see meaningful improvement within 4 to 6 weeks when they follow through with their rehab consistently.
Our approach focuses on identifying what's driving your elbow pain, whether that's a local tendon problem, a contributing neck or shoulder issue or a combination. Treatment combines hands-on techniques with a structured rehab plan designed around your daily demands.
Located on Rivonia Road in Morningside, we serve patients from Sandton, Bryanston, Fourways, Randburg and surrounding areas.
Book an appointment at our Sandton practice and let us help you get back to pain-free movement.
Yes. Chiropractors assess and treat a range of elbow conditions including lateral epicondylalgia (tennis elbow), medial epicondylalgia (golfer's elbow) and repetitive strain injuries. Treatment typically combines joint mobilisation, soft tissue therapy and targeted rehabilitation exercises.
Tennis elbow is an overuse condition affecting the common extensor tendon on the outside of the elbow. Despite the name, most cases are not caused by tennis. Repetitive gripping, typing and manual work are far more common triggers. The underlying issue is tendon degeneration rather than acute inflammation.
Most cases improve within 6 to 12 months. However, structured rehabilitation can significantly speed up recovery. A 2019 systematic review found that manual therapy combined with exercise produced faster improvements in pain and grip strength compared to a wait-and-see approach.
Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylalgia) affects the outer elbow where the wrist extensor tendons attach. Golfer's elbow (medial epicondylalgia) affects the inner elbow where the wrist flexor tendons attach. Both are overuse tendon conditions, but they involve different muscle groups and respond to different rehab protocols.
A counterforce brace can reduce strain on the tendon and offer short-term relief, but it does not address the underlying problem. For lasting improvement, progressive loading exercises that strengthen the tendon are far more effective. We can advise whether a brace is useful as part of a broader treatment plan.
