This condition is an inflammation of the tendon connecting the arm’s medial epicondyle (near the elbow) to the forearm’s front muscles.
In other words, it is an inflammation of the tendons of related muscles, originating from the epicondyle of the elbow and inserting on the forearm, wrist and hand. These estructures make it possible for us to rotate the hand and forearm inward and to flex the wrist and fingers.
The origin of epitrochleitis derives from the functional overload of the muscles mentioned above. It is the result of heightened and often combined repetition, for example, when we catch, or rather that we grasp an object with force and flex the wrist.
However, it does not exclusively affect athletes, but also people such as painters, secretaries, masons, etc. Any mechanical stress, without having to use a lot of force, can give way to this pathology in anyone.
Also known as golfers elbow, this pathology is particularly common in those who play sports such as golf or tennis.
Epitrochleitis is responsible for the pain that we notice in the inner part of the elbow, the joint stiffness in the elbow, as well as the weakness in the hand and wrist.
Chiropractic Doctors, specialist in the neuro-musculoskeletal system of our human body, are trained to take care of epitrochleitis efficiently and with great success.
With Chiropractic you can carry out different treatments focused on distinct aspects that cause golfers elbow syndrome:
Elbow adjustments: If the elbow is misaligned (joint subluxations), the chiropractor will make adjustments to correct these misalignments and improve muscle condition.
Correction of cervical subluxations: Sometimes, epicondylitis can start with a problem in the neck, such as a pinched nerve that affects the elbow muscles. This is similar to a light bulb that won’t turn on because there is a short circuit in the wire. In these cases, it is crucial to correct this pinching.
Issues in the lumbar spine or pelvis: In some cases, imbalances or problems in the lumbar vertebrae or pelvis can be the cause of epicondylitis.
Chiropractic treatment and golfer’s elbow
Chiropractic treatment for golfer’s elbow begins by identifying the main cause of the inflammation. Once detected, treatment is initiated to correct the injury and any subluxations (misalignments of the vertebrae) found.
Chiropractic adjustments are made to the spine, especially in the cervical area, to improve the biomechanics of the elbow joint.
The chiropractor can also make adjustments to all the joints in the upper kinetic chain, which includes the cervical spine, shoulder, elbow, and hand. This ensures that other parts of the arm do not suffer from compensations or imbalances.