Expert Tennis / Golfer’s Elbow Treatment at Crestacre Chiropractic
Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow are commonly misunderstood as muscle injuries, when in fact they are tendon injuries. This distinction matters, because tendons heal differently from muscle and often take longer to recover.
Tendons are strong collagen structures designed to tolerate high loads for their size. They do have a blood supply, but it is much more limited than muscle. As a result, when a tendon is injured, healing can be slower and less predictable. A muscle injury may settle within weeks, whereas a tendon injury can take several months to heal properly, and sometimes longer depending on the severity of the problem.
Symptoms often include pain around the elbow that is triggered by everyday tasks or activity. With tennis elbow, this may include gripping, twisting, lifting, turning door handles, opening jars, using tools, typing, mouse work, or repetitive tasks at work. With golfer’s elbow, pain is often triggered by gripping, lifting, pulling, or repeated forearm use.
In the early stages after injury, the tendon begins to repair itself. However, if it is not exposed to the right level of load, healing may not fully progress. This can leave the tendon only partly recovered and less able to tolerate the demands of sport, work, or everyday life.
This is why symptoms often improve and then flare up again when activity increases. In many cases, the issue is not that the injury has returned, but that the tendon never fully rebuilt its capacity.
While short periods of relative rest can be helpful, prolonged rest is rarely the answer. Tendons adapt by responding to the forces placed upon them, so they need the right level of loading to recover properly. If they are not challenged enough, they may only become conditioned to low demand rather than the activity level the patient actually needs.
For this reason, the goal is usually not complete rest, but a gradual and structured return to activity. This should be guided by the level of pain, the type of tasks being done, and how the tendon responds over time.
How We Treat Tennis Elbow and Golfer’s Elbow
Treatment focuses on helping the tendon recover properly and gradually restoring its ability to tolerate load. At Crestacre, we look at the specific tissues involved, the level of irritation present, and the activities that are repeatedly provoking the problem.
This may include hands-on treatment to reduce surrounding stiffness, as well as targeted rehabilitation exercises designed to progressively strengthen the tendon and improve its load tolerance. We also assess daily habits, work tasks, and sporting demands so that we can identify what is repeatedly stressing the area.
It is often important to reduce the activities that aggravate the tendon in the short term, while still keeping the area active enough to promote recovery. Practical changes to gripping, lifting, tool use, sport technique, or training load can make a meaningful difference.
In some cases, additional therapies such as LASER or shockwave may be considered, depending on the stage and nature of the condition. The aim is not simply to calm the pain, but to rebuild the tendon so that it can cope with the demands of daily life, work, and sport without repeatedly flaring up.
Who Will Treat You
Continuously advancing our techniques to deliver the highest standard of treatment
Visiting Our Clinic
Crestacre Chiropractic Clinic is on Barracks Lane in Walsall, WS9 9DL, with free parking directly in front of the building. We are easy to reach from Aldridge, Lichfield, Cannock, Brownhills, Walsall Wood and Pelsall.
Our opening hours are:
- Monday: 08:00 to 19:30
- Tuesday: 08:00 to 19:30
- Wednesday: 13:00 to 19:00
- Thursday: 08:00 to 19:30
- Friday: 08:00 to 19:30
- Saturday and Sunday: closed
Frequently asked questions
Is chiropractic treatment safe?
Chiropractic is a regulated profession, and all of our practitioners are registered with the General Chiropractic Council. After a full assessment, your chiropractor will select techniques suited to you, and will always explain what to expect beforehand.
Do I need a referral from my GP?
No referral is needed. You can book directly with the clinic, and we will carry out a complete assessment at your first visit.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
Comfortable clothing is helpful, along with details of any relevant medical history or medication. Allow a little extra time for your initial consultation, which lasts around 50 minutes.
Book an Appointment for Tennis / Golfer’s Elbow
You do not have to put up with tennis/golfer’s elbow.
Call us on 01543 370500, email reception@crestacreclinic.co.uk, or book online to arrange an assessment and take the first step towards moving comfortably again.
