Elbow Pain and Tennis Elbow Care in Kingsport, TN
When to get care quickly. Get seen the same day for an elbow that looks deformed, won't bend or straighten after a fall, swells fast after an injury, or is red and hot with fever. Numbness in the hand with weakness after an injury also needs prompt evaluation.
Common causes
| Condition | Where it hurts | Common triggers |
|---|---|---|
| Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylalgia) | Outside of the elbow, worse with gripping and lifting with the palm down | Tools, keyboards and mice, racket sports, carrying |
| Golfer's elbow (medial epicondylalgia) | Inside of the elbow, worse with gripping and wrist curling | Golf, throwing, climbing, lifting |
| Thrower's elbow | Inside of the elbow during or after throwing | Pitching volume, mechanics, shoulder and hip limits |
| Ulnar nerve irritation | Tingling in the ring and pinky fingers | Leaning on the elbow, keeping it bent for long periods |
How chiropractic care may help elbow pain
- •Tendon loading exercises, progressed over weeks; this is the backbone of care (corrective exercise)
- •Extremity adjustments and mobilization for the elbow, wrist and forearm
- •Soft tissue work, including instrument-assisted techniques, for the forearm muscles
- •Dry needling for trigger points in the forearm
- •StemWave focused shockwave for tendon pain that hasn't improved
- •Grip, tool and workstation changes, plus a counterforce strap if it helps
A well-known trial in the BMJ found that hands-on care with exercise did better than a steroid injection over a year for tennis elbow. Injections helped faster at first but symptoms came back more often.
Thrower's elbow
In baseball and softball players, inside elbow pain is a warning sign, not something to throw through. It usually means the elbow is absorbing load that the shoulder, trunk and hips should be sharing. Dr. Douglas, a former college baseball player and Certified Athletic Trainer, looks at pitch counts, mechanics and the shoulder along with the elbow. Suspected ligament (UCL) injuries or growth plate injuries in young throwers are referred to an orthopedic specialist. Sports medicine.
What to expect and when we refer
Your first visit runs 30 to 45 minutes. Dr. Douglas checks grip strength, tendon provocation tests, elbow stability and nerve function, and screens the neck and shoulder, since a pinched nerve can cause elbow and forearm pain. X-rays are available on site. Instability, suspected fractures and significant nerve symptoms are referred out. More on your first visit.
Is this care safe?
Exercise and manual therapy for tendon pain are low risk. Dry needling and shockwave can leave the area sore for a day or two. Tendons improve slowly, often over weeks to months, so steady progress matters more than quick fixes.
Common Questions
Clinical Sources & Guidelines
- Bisset L, Beller E, Jull G, et al. Mobilisation with movement and exercise, corticosteroid injection, or wait and see for tennis elbow: randomised trial. BMJ. 2006;333(7575):939.
“Tennis elbow isn't just for tennis players — it's any arm that does the same motion too often.”
Ready to be seen?
Call 423-239-9122 or book online. We don't take walk-ins, but most new patients are seen within a week, and we check your insurance benefits before your first visit.