Elbow & Wrist Pain Treatment

Myo lab employee treating patient for elbow and wrist pain

Wrist and elbow pain can sneak into your daily life, turning simple tasks into challenging hurdles. They may emerge independently or present together. From working to enjoying your favorite sport, discomfort in these areas can limit your range of motion and, ultimately, quality of life. 

At MYo Lab, we understand how frustrating these pains can be, and our Chiropractic care is designed to identify and address the root cause, and help you find lasting relief. Whether it’s carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, arthritis, or general strain, our tailored treatments get to the bottom of it to restore your strength and flexibility.

Causes of Elbow & Wrist Pain

It’s true; pain is a way for your body to communicate if something’s wrong. But what could it be? Here are the most common causes of elbow and wrist pain we see at our clinic:

1. Overuse and Repetitive Motions: Activities such as typing, lifting, or sports like tennis and golf can lead to conditions like tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow).

2. Injuries and Trauma: Accidents such as falls, fractures, or sprains can damage the bones, ligaments, or tendons, causing acute or chronic pain.

3. Arthritis: Both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis may cause inflammation, stiffness, and pain in the wrist or elbow joints over time.

4. Nerve Compression: Conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome or cubital tunnel syndrome occur when nerves in the wrist or elbow are compressed, leading to numbness, tingling, or sharp pain.

5. Tendonitis/Tendinosis: Tendonitis, or tendinosis in the wrist or elbow is common when tendons become inflamed from repetitive use or sudden strain.

6. Bursitis: Inflammation of the bursa (these are small fluid-filled sacs that cushion the joints) can lead to pain and swelling, especially in the elbow.

7. Underlying Health Conditions: Diseases such as diabetes, gout, or lupus can increase your risk of developing wrist and elbow pain due to inflammation or joint damage.

8. Sports-Related Stress: Athletes involved in high-impact or repetitive movements, such as baseball pitchers or weightlifters, often develop joint strain or ligament injuries.

How Chiropractors Treat Elbow & Wrist Pain

patient getting elbow and wrist pain treatment at myo lab

Chiropractic care takes a holistic, non-invasive approach to managing wrist and elbow pain by addressing the underlying issues within the musculoskeletal system. This means we don’t just focus on alleviating symptoms—we aim to uncover and treat the root causes of your discomfort. By considering how your bones, muscles, joints, and nerves work together, we can create a personalized treatment plan designed to restore function, reduce pain, and improve your overall well-being. Here’s how chiropractic care can help:

  • Diagnosing the Condition: We start by reviewing your medical history to understand past injuries or repetitive motions that may be contributing to your discomfort. During a physical examination, our Chiropractors evaluate swelling, restricted movement, and tenderness in the wrist, elbow, or surrounding areas. We may also conduct neurological assessments to test reflexes and nerve function to rule out conditions like carpal tunnel or cubital tunnel syndrome.
  • Adjustments and Mobilization: Gentle adjustments and joint mobilization are key chiropractic techniques for treating wrist and elbow pain. Misalignments in the wrist, elbow, or even the spine can place undue pressure on nerves, so you experience pain and inflammation. We use targeted adjustments to improve joint alignment, alleviate nerve compression, and restore proper motion. The idea is not only to reduce pain but also to enhance the body’s natural healing processes.
  • Soft Tissue Therapy: Techniques like myofascial release and the Graston Technique target the muscles and connective tissues surrounding the wrist and elbow. By easing muscle tension, reducing inflammation, and breaking down scar tissue, these therapies help improve flexibility and support recovery.
  • Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT): LLLT or Cold Laser Therapy is a non-invasive treatment that helps with elbow and wrist pain by using targeted light energy to promote healing at the cellular level. It reduces inflammation, improves circulation, and stimulates tissue repair, which can alleviate pain and speed up recovery for conditions like tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and repetitive strain injuries.
  • Targeted Exercises: Additionally, we often prescribe exercises designed to strengthen and stretch the affected areas. These exercises improve mobility, prevent re-injury, and promote long-term joint health.
  • Ergonomic Advice: To prevent future issues, we also provide ergonomic advice tailored to your lifestyle. Whether you’re an office worker dealing with repetitive strain from typing or an athlete recovering from a sports-related injury, small changes to your workspace setup or technique can make a significant difference. By addressing both the symptoms and the underlying causes of wrist and elbow pain, chiropractic care provides a well-rounded approach to healing and prevention.

Patient Success Stories/Testimonials 

“Top-notch in all areas. The crew at MYo Lab are super professional and friendly. Best of all their number one goal if you are injured is getting you back to your normal level of activity or better. I came to MYo Lab with a painful wrist injury where a bone was continually falling out of joint. After a couple of months the pain is gone and mobility has been returned. ”

Andrew H.

“Evan and team are attentive and deliberate in providing an outstanding client experience. The care I received for acute whiplash healed me from a condition that could have resulted in longterm chronic pain. I’ve been going here for a year and a half and have never had a disappointing experience. 

If you have chronic pain, give MYo a try – they differ from most clinics by working closely together as a team. They will guide you to the forms of care (chiro, massage, physio, etc) that are most likely to help you”

Troy B.

“While my first visit was over a year ago for an acute injury, I’ve been receiving treatments for the past six months with Dr. Evan and massage with Zack for an overuse and general neglect neck and shoulder pain and discomfort. I can say that while I’ve experienced many chiropractic, physiotherapy and massage therapy professionals over the years, MYo Lab are right up there with the best. They take the time to narrow in on the problem, and work as a true team to relieve it. Yes, there is work one must do on one’s own, but these guys are patient, professional and truly want patients to recover to their best self. Thankful to MYo Lab for their great work helping me back to where I want and need to be! ”

Mark G.

FAQs About Elbow & Wrist Pain

What causes elbow/wrist pain?

Elbow and wrist pain can stem from various causes, including repetitive strain injuries, trauma, arthritis, tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, or nerve compression. Sometimes, even poor ergonomics at work—like improper desk setups or repetitive motions—can lead to discomfort in these areas. The underlying issue could be physical stress on the joints, muscles, or nerves, which requires proper assessment to determine the root cause.

Here’s a way to improve flexibility and mobility in your hands:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slYWUDzUVto

What are the common symptoms of elbow/wrist pain?

Symptoms of elbow and wrist pain often include pain, swelling, stiffness, numbness, tingling, and a reduced range of motion. You might also notice difficulty performing everyday activities, like gripping, typing, or lifting. Interestingly, what happens in your elbow and wrist can directly impact your fingers, causing them to feel weak or stiff as well.

Can a Chiropractor treat elbow/wrist pain?

Absolutely! We specialize in addressing musculoskeletal issues, including those affecting the elbow and wrist. We use targeted techniques to improve joint function, relieve inflammation, and promote healing. By addressing the root cause of your pain, chiropractic care can be a highly effective, non-invasive treatment option.

What chiropractic techniques are used to treat elbow/wrist pain?

The techniques we employ may include joint adjustments, soft tissue manipulation, therapeutic exercises, and ergonomic advice. It all comes down to the diagnosis. We’ll determine the best combination of treatments based on your unique case. The goal is to address the issue causing the pain, as well as anything underlying that created the perfect environment for pain.

How many Chiropractic sessions will I need for elbow/wrist pain? And how soon after starting treatment can I expect to feel relief?

The number of sessions varies depending on the severity of the condition, your response to treatment, and the underlying cause of the pain. That being said, if we were to provide an estimation, we’ve noticed most of our patients who are dealing with acute pain find relief with 2–3 sessions. However, for patients with chronic wrist or elbow pain, their response is slower, and they may expect to see improvement in mobility and reduction in pain in about 4–6 sessions. 

However, pain is not the only factor involved in creating a care plan. Once you start to feel better, it’s important to continue the plan set by your provider, as the second phase of care is often focused on correcting the underlying issues that led to the pain in the first place.

What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common nerve entrapment disorder where the median nerve is compressed at the wrist, leading to pain, numbness, and weakness in the hand.

What’s the difference between carpal tunnel syndrome and other nerve entrapments in the hand?

The difference is usually in the pattern of numbness and weakness. If the nerve compression occurs only at the carpal tunnel, that will have specific effects on the median nerve distribution. However, if there is nerve compression “up the chain”, at the elbow, shoulder, or neck, then the areas affected by the compression will be more widespread.

How do I know if I have carpal tunnel or something else?

You can research the specific patterns of symptoms if you want. But the better option is to seek out an assessment & diagnosis from a qualified healthcare provider. They can perform specific tests for various nerves, and also assess common sites of nerve entrapment to determine which site is the source of your symptoms. From there, they can recommend a treatment plan that will address your issues.

Why does my elbow/wrist click/pop?

Joints often make noise when they move. A joint that isn’t moving well—due to overuse or muscle injury—may click or pop more often, and there may be pain or discomfort associated with the popping. If there is pain, either before the click/pop, or after, it’s important to have the area assessed and diagnosed.

What is tennis/golfer’s elbow?

Tennis and golfer’s elbow refers to lateral & medial epicondylitis, respectively. It’s an overuse injury that occurs when the load placed on the body exceeds the muscle and tendon’s capacity to handle that load, resulting in inflammation. It can be caused by sports, like tennis and golf, but is also common in individuals who work with their hands (think electricians, nurses, carpenters). It can lead to tendinopathy if not properly addressed, so if you’re noticing lingering pain in the elbow after activity or work, it’s important to see your healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.

How MYo Lab Can Help

If you’re in Calgary and dealing with the discomfort from elbow and wrist pain, you can book an appointment with one of our Chiropractors. Alternatively, you can call us at (403)930-8686. 

We’re currently accepting new patients.

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