Tired of Elbow Pain Holding You Back?
That sharp or aching pain when you lift a coffee mug, grip a steering wheel, or swing a club is hard to ignore. The good news: most sore elbows have a specific, treatable cause. At Shaw Spine & Sport in Clive, we look for what is driving your pain instead of only calming symptoms for a few days.
What Causes Elbow Pain? Tennis Elbow vs. Golfer's Elbow
Most cases start with overuse of the forearm muscles and tendons that attach to the bony bumps on either side of your elbow, called epicondyles. Repeated gripping, lifting, typing, or racket and club sports irritate those attachments, and over time the tissue can become tight, stringy, and scarred.
Tennis Elbow: Pain on the Outside
Lateral epicondylitis is the most common cause of pain on the outside of the elbow. It tends to flare when you grip, lift, twist a jar lid, or extend your wrist.
Golfer's Elbow: Pain on the Inside
Medial epicondylitis causes pain on the inside of the elbow that shows up with swinging, carrying, or flexing your wrist. Despite the names, desk workers, lifters, musicians, and tradespeople get both. Either one can spread into the forearm and weaken your grip.
Non-Surgical Elbow Pain Treatment
Because irritated, scarred soft tissue is behind most elbow problems, care focuses on restoring how your forearm, wrist, and elbow move. Your plan may include:
- Manual and soft tissue therapy to break down adhesions in the forearm muscles
- Joint mobilization or manipulation to restore normal motion
- Targeted exercises to rebuild strength and flexibility
- Work and workout adjustments so the habits that caused the problem do not bring it back
Cortisone injections and pain medication may ease symptoms for a while, but lasting relief usually means treating the tissue itself.
Elbow Pain Treatment in Clive and the Des Moines Metro
Shaw Spine & Sport is located at 2555 Berkshire Pkwy, Clive, IA 50325, and we welcome patients from Clive, West Des Moines, Urbandale, Waukee, and nearby communities.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
Not sure what a chiropractor does for a sore elbow? Here is how your first visit works:
- A thorough assessment. We ask when your pain started and what aggravates it, then examine your elbow, forearm, wrist, and neck to pinpoint the source.
- A plan built for you. We explain what we found, why it is happening, and how each part of your care helps.
- Progress you can track. As you improve, we adjust your plan so you build strength and habits that keep your elbow healthy.
You will leave with a clear answer about what is going on and a concrete next step.
Frequently Asked Questions About Elbow Pain
Lifting and gripping load the forearm tendons that attach at your elbow. When those tendons are overworked or irritated, every grip tugs on the sore spot. That is the classic pattern of tennis elbow and golfer's elbow.
Yes. Hands-on soft tissue work, joint mobilization, and a guided exercise plan can help many people with tennis elbow, especially when care starts early.
Recent flare-ups often respond sooner than long-standing ones. After your exam, we will give you a realistic timeline for your situation.
Sometimes. Irritated nerves in the neck, elbow, or wrist can send pain, tingling, or numbness down the arm, which is why we check the whole chain. If you also notice tingling in your fingers, see our page on carpal tunnel syndrome.
Seek urgent care if your pain follows a fall or injury, the joint looks out of place or will not move, or you have fever, redness, severe swelling, or sudden numbness.
Ready for Relief From Elbow Pain?
You do not have to keep working around a sore elbow. Our team at Shaw Spine & Sport will find what is driving your pain and build a plan to get you back to lifting, swinging, and typing comfortably.
