The two most common injuries we see associated with elbow pain include the Tennis elbow, also called lateral epicondylitis, and Golfer’s elbow, also called medial epicondylitis.

Tennis and Golfer’s elbow occurs when the tendons that roll over the elbow are damaged due to overuse or improper form. Depending upon whether the pain is located on the inside or outside of the elbow will dictate the diagnosis. While these injuries are common to tennis players and golfers, less than 10% of these cases involve injuries in their respective sports. It is more common to see these injuries in office workers, especially those with non-ergonomic workstations.

Tendons are known to have an extremely poor blood supply, which prevents them from healing quickly without intervention. Many patients have suffered from these conditions for years before finally obtaining relief – but usually, most have tried several different medications and therapies. Combine this with the human element in that each patient diagnosed with these conditions responds differently to care – outcomes are impacted by lifestyle, nutrition, work conditions, and recreational activities.

Corticosteroid injections can also help reduce inflammation, but there are serious side effects that need to be weighed before considering this intervention. Side effects include cartilage, skin, nerve, and/or bone damage, joint infection, insomnia, exacerbation of metabolic disorders (including Diabetes), and increased pain. (7, 8). The risk for these side effects increases with larger doses and repeated use, which is why they are usually only administered 3-4 times per year. The largest concern with these injections is that the short-term pain relief provided may come at the consequence of an increased chance of chronic recurrence.

The goal of the traditional physical rehabilitation approach for elbow pain is to improve the strength and flexibility of your forearm muscles, which are often a culprit in elbow pain. Your therapist may also evaluate the conditions that contributed to your overuse and provide feedback to correct these issues to prevent the recurrence of your pain.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is a regenerative medicine procedure that involves utilizing the liquid portion of your blood to accelerate the healing process. The procedure itself is accomplished by having tube(s) of blood collected from the patient that is spun down at a precise speed in a centrifuge that allows for the separation of the plasma from the red blood cells that concentrates them into an injection for healing. Plasma is the liquid portion of your blood that is composed of protein, water, and thrombocytes that aid in blood clotting and healing.

When made into an injection, PRP can be used to alleviate joint and muscle pain, tendinitis, trigger points, sprains, strains, and conditions including osteoarthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and even hair loss.

Regenerative Healthcare offers incredible advantages in the healing process by providing the body with the necessary materials required to heal, including growth factors, Hyaluronic Acid, amino acids, cytokines, etc. These therapies help boost the body’s natural healing processes to reduce inflammation, dysfunction, and pain caused by conditions such as Tennis Elbow, Golfer’s Elbow, arthritis, and other soft tissue-related conditions contributing to pain.

Shockwave Therapy is a non-invasive modern and highly effective treatment method: high-energy sound waves are introduced into the painful areas of the body. EPAT technology accelerates the healing process in the body by stimulating metabolism and enhancing blood circulation to regenerate damaged tissue. Strong energy pulses are applied to the affected area. These pulses occur for short periods, creating micro-cavitation bubbles that expand and burst. The force created by these bubbles penetrates tissue and stimulates cells in the body that are responsible for bone and connective tissue healing.

The goal of our physical rehabilitation approach for elbow pain (and any other pain) is to improve the function and balance of all muscles that contribute to your movement. When someone is suffering from elbow pain, this could mean addressing muscle imbalances in the forearm, shoulder, and upper back or neck. It could also mean addressing forward head position, and joint dysfunction in the hand, wrist, elbow, shoulder, or neck. The key difference is to understand that our body is functioning as one and should not be compartmentalized – addressing each of the structures contributing to movement patterns is essential for a long-term, successful outcome.

At Balance Wellspace, we have helped many patients improve function and decrease pain. For patients with acute injuries and tendinitis, we offer regenerative medicine programs to help with the fastest pain relief and most complete recovery possible. For severe degenerative arthritis, our treatment program for elbow arthritis in Roanoke, Virginia offers the best approach to addressing pain.

Many of our patients can get back to participating in activities without the pain that once hindered their life. At Balance Wellspace Integrative Medicine in Roanoke, Virginia, every treatment option we provide is effective, minimally invasive, requires no downtime, or has no major adverse effects.