Pat was a long time patient of ours that developed a pain in her right elbow. Her pain turned into a constant pain that would wake her up due to the severity at night. She had lost a lot of sleep the last 2 nights and was having a very difficult time at work due to the pain and also being exhausted at work due to the lack of sleep.

As a chiropractor that's certified in FAKTR we conducted a comprehensive elbow, shoulder and neck evaluation. We noticed the following findings in Pat's elbow, shoulder, and neck exam. 

• Significant swelling, tenderness and in the lateral elbow.
• Normal exam of the neck and shoulder area. This allows us to rule out radiating pain from the neck/spine.
• Pat is a cyclist and also works at a computer typing and using the mouse everyday which potentially led to this issue.
• No neurological findings or red flags associated with other nerve related conditions.

Here is a short video of what we look for regarding elbow pain.

Pat has a condition called a Lateral Epicondylopathy AKA Tennis Elbow.

• Lateral epicondylopathy is a painful irritation of the extensor muscles in the lateral elbow.
• The muscles of the lateral elbow does not have a very good blood supply making it prone to injury and degeneration.
• Repetitive wrist extension can lead to micro-tearing of the tendon in the elbow ultimately leading to a failed healing response and degeneration.

I discussed with Pat our treatment plan. To give her the best opportunity to achieve her goals of decreased pain and improved sleep we would use a combination of FAKTR soft tissue therapies and home rehab exercises. I explained to Pat that her response depends on how severe the tissue injury has been. I also explained to her the importance of strengthening her ankle to avoid future elbow injuries. Most of this strength would be developed from a home exercise plan.

Results

After her first treatment Pat was able to sleep through the night and had decreased pain throughout the day. After 3 treatments Pat was fully recovered. She did not have any pain at work or while sleeping during the night. Pat hasn't had any issues over the last 4 months to the present.

Pat has been just one of many patients who has responded to our treatment of elbow pain. If you are dealing with a similar issue feel free to learn more about on our website. If you need professional help please schedule an appointment and we'd be happy to help!

We're ready to help! 

Thank You for taking the time to read Pat's story!

The patient's name has been changed to protect privacy rights.