Elbow Pain
 

Restore Grip Strength and Return to Work, Training, and Sport
 

Elbow pain can make gripping, lifting, typing, carrying, swinging a club, using tools, or performing daily tasks uncomfortable. Symptoms often develop gradually from repetitive strain, tendon overload, or changes in how the wrist, elbow, shoulder, and upper back work together.

At Performance and Recovery Clinic, we evaluate the entire upper-extremity movement system—not just the painful spot. Your care plan is then adapted to your examination findings, activity demands, goals, and response to treatment.
 

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Common Causes of Elbow Pain

Elbow pain may involve the tendons, muscles, joints, ligaments, or nearby nerves.

Common conditions include:

• Tennis elbow

• Golfer’s elbow

• Repetitive-use injuries

• Tendon strains or tendinopathy

• Elbow sprains

• Biceps or triceps tendon irritation

• Joint stiffness or arthritis

• Ulnar nerve irritation

• Pain following a fall or impact

• Repetitive gripping, lifting, throwing, or tool use

Pain location alone does not always identify the involved tissue, which is why a detailed assessment is important.

Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow, also called lateral elbow tendinopathy, affects the tendon attachment on the outside of the elbow.

It often develops from repeated gripping, lifting, twisting, or wrist extension. Despite the name, it is common in golfers, climbers, lifters, tradespeople, office workers, and anyone who repeatedly uses the forearm.

Common symptoms include:

• Pain on the outside of the elbow

• Tenderness near the bony attachment

• Pain with gripping or shaking hands

• Discomfort when lifting with the palm facing down

• Reduced grip strength

• Pain with racquet sports, tools, or computer use

 

Golfer’s Elbow

Golfer’s elbow, also called medial elbow tendinopathy, affects the tendon attachment on the inside of the elbow.

It commonly develops from repeated gripping, wrist flexion, throwing, pulling, or forceful arm movements.

Common symptoms include:

• Pain on the inside of the elbow

• Tenderness near the tendon attachment

• Pain with gripping, pulling, or lifting

• Discomfort during golf swings or throwing

• Forearm tightness

• Reduced grip strength

Numbness or tingling into the ring and little fingers may suggest irritation of the ulnar nerve and requires additional assessment.

 

How We Evaluate Elbow Pain

Your examination may include:

• Health and activity history

• Elbow and wrist range of motion

• Grip-strength testing

• Tendon loading tests

• Joint mobility and stability

• Nerve screening

• Shoulder and shoulder-blade function

• Neck and upper-back assessment

• Gripping, lifting, throwing, or sport-specific movement

• Review of training and work demands

• Review of available imaging or medical records

The goal is to identify the irritated tissues, understand why they are being overloaded, and determine whether conservative care is appropriate.

 

Our Treatment Approach

Elbow pain care may combine several strategies depending on the condition, irritability, and activity goals.

 

Focused Shockwave Therapy

Focused shockwave therapy may be considered for persistent tendon pain, including certain cases of tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow.

Shockwave may be used to stimulate a healing response and improve tissue tolerance when symptoms have not responded fully to rest, activity modification, or basic treatment.

It is not appropriate for every elbow condition and is recommended only after examination.

 

Chiropractic Care and Joint Mobilization

Adjustments or mobilization may be used to improve movement through the elbow, wrist, shoulder, upper back, and neck when joint restriction contributes to altered mechanics or repeated strain.

 

Manual Therapy

Soft tissue techniques may help reduce protective tension and improve mobility through the forearm, upper arm, shoulder, and surrounding tissues.

 

Exercise Rehabilitation

Progressive loading is an important part of tendon recovery.

Your program may include:

• Isometric exercises for pain management

• Wrist extensor or flexor strengthening

• Eccentric and heavy-slow resistance exercises

• Grip-strength progression

• Forearm mobility

• Shoulder and shoulder-blade strengthening

• Lifting or tool-use retraining

• Throwing or swing progressions

• Personalized home exercises

Exercise intensity is progressed according to symptom response and function.

 

Supportive Recovery Modalities

Laser therapy, PEMF, and other recovery tools may be incorporated when appropriate. These services support the plan but do not replace progressive tendon loading and activity modification.

 

The Performance and Recovery Method

01 — Assess

We evaluate tendon sensitivity, grip strength, elbow and wrist mobility, nerve function, shoulder mechanics, and the activities that aggravate your symptoms.

02 — Treat

We use focused shockwave therapy, chiropractic care, manual therapy, and supportive modalities when appropriate.

03 — Strengthen

Progressive exercises rebuild tendon capacity, grip strength, upper-extremity control, and confidence.

04 — Maintain

Home exercises, workload strategies, movement education, recovery resources, and periodic care help you maintain progress and reduce recurring irritation.

 

Returning to Activity

Our goal is not simply to reduce pain at rest. We want to help you rebuild the capacity needed for the activities that matter to you.

Depending on your goals, care may focus on helping you:

• Grip and carry objects

• Type or work at a computer

• Use tools

• Lift weights

• Golf

• Play tennis or pickleball

• Climb

• Throw

• Cycle or mountain bike

• Return to work or daily activity

Return-to-activity progression is based on grip strength, tendon tolerance, movement quality, symptom response, and confidence.

 

When Additional Evaluation May Be Needed

Additional imaging or medical referral may be appropriate when there is:

• Significant trauma or suspected fracture

• Visible deformity

• Inability to move the elbow

• Major swelling or bruising

• Persistent locking or catching

• Progressive numbness or weakness

• Loss of grip strength after injury

• Signs of infection

• Severe or rapidly worsening pain

• Symptoms that do not improve as expected with conservative care

We will recommend referral when findings suggest that another type of evaluation or treatment is needed.

 

Start With a Comprehensive Assessment

Elbow pain can involve the tendons, muscles, joints, ligaments, nerves, or movement patterns throughout the upper extremity. A thorough assessment helps determine what may be contributing to your symptoms and which combination of focused shockwave therapy, chiropractic care, rehabilitation, supportive treatment, or referral is most appropriate.

 

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Performance and Recovery Clinic
100 Elk Run Drive, Unit 220
Basalt, Colorado 81621

Serving Basalt, Carbondale, Aspen, Snowmass Village, Glenwood Springs, and the Roaring Fork Valley.