Tennis Elbow or Golfer’s Elbow: What’s the Difference?
Tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow—what’s the difference, and can chiropractic care help? The short answer to both is yes! If you’re dealing with nagging elbow pain, you’re not alone—and it may not even be from sports. Despite their athletic names, tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow are two of the most common causes of elbow pain and can affect anyone from athletes to desk workers.
With Golfers elbow less than 1% of the population will suffer annually, While roughly 3% of the population or up to 10 million people will suffer with tennis elbow annually and in about 80% of those will have symptoms for up to 1 year. But who wants to suffer for a year if there is an effective solution that does not involve injections or surgery
At Desert Valley Chiropractic in North Phoenix, we specialize in non-invasive solutions like Activator Method chiropractic adjustments and radial pressure shockwave therapy to help relieve pain and restore function—without drugs. injections or surgery.
What’s the Difference?
Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis):
- Pain is located on the outside of the elbow.
- Caused by repetitive extension of the wrist and fingers.
- Common in racquet sports, but also seen in painters, plumbers, and computer users.
Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis):
- Pain is located on the inside of the elbow.
- Caused by repetitive flexion of the wrist and gripping.
- Common in golfers, but also affects weightlifters, mechanics, those with repetitive gripping motions, and side sleepers who rest their arm under the pillow.
Both conditions involve microtears in the tendons that attach to the elbow joint, leading to inflammation, pain, and weakness in the arm and wrist.
How Chiropractic Can Help
At Desert Valley Chiropractic, we use gentle Activator adjustments to restore function and alignment not just in the elbow, but also in the wrist, shoulder, and spine—because elbow pain is often connected to joint stress elsewhere in the body. Our low-force method means no twisting or popping will also reduce swelling to the affected joints , and it’s safe for acute and chronic elbow injuries alike.
Shockwave Therapy for Elbow Pain Relief
One of our most effective tools for stubborn cases of tennis or golfer’s elbow is Radial Pressure Shockwave Therapy . This treatment uses pulsed acoustic waves to:
- Break up scar tissue
- Increase blood flow
- Accelerate tissue repair and healing
- Reduce pain and inflammation
- Promote stem cell production
Shockwave therapy is a great option when rest, braces, or even cortisone shots haven’t helped—and you can see improvement in just a few sessions.
Looking for Elbow Pain Relief in North Phoenix?
If you’re tired of elbow pain interfering with your work, workouts, or daily life, let us help. At Desert Valley Chiropractic, we serve the Moon Valley and greater North Phoenix area with customized care plans for elbow injuries, including gentle chiropractic adjustments, rehabilitative exercises, and cutting-edge shockwave therapy.
Call us today at (602) 439-1515 or schedule online at desertvalleychiropractic.com to find out if you’re a candidate for our elbow pain relief protocols.
Chiropractic care that helps you feel better, move better, and live better—right here in North Phoenix!
