Elbow pain can make even the simplest daily tasks—lifting a bag, typing, getting dressed, or reaching overhead—suddenly feel difficult. Whether you're experiencing inner elbow pain, elbow pain when bending or straightening, or even pain in the upper left arm between the elbow and shoulder, this type of discomfort can affect your work, hobbies, and overall quality of life.
As a trusted chiropractor in Fridley, we specialize in helping patients overcome elbow pain through natural, non-invasive treatments that address the root cause—not just the symptoms. Here’s what you need to know about elbow pain causes, how to recognize serious symptoms, and the proven chiropractic methods that can help you heal.
What Is Elbow Pain and Why Does It Happen?
Because the elbow is a complex joint involving bones, tendons, ligaments, muscles, and nerves, pain can develop for many reasons. Some people notice discomfort gradually, while others experience sudden pain in the elbow joint after an injury or repetitive task.
Common symptoms include:
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Elbow pain when bending and straightening
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Pain on inside of elbow or outside of the elbow
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Elbow nerve pain causing numbness, tingling, or shock-like sensations
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Elbow pain when lifting or gripping objects
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Pain in elbow when straightening arm after activity
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Radiating pain in upper left arm between elbow and shoulder
While these symptoms can overlap, the underlying causes often fall into a handful of common categories.
The Most Common Elbow Pain Causes
1. Elbow Tendonitis
Tendonitis occurs when the elbow’s tendons become irritated or inflamed from overuse. Two of the most frequent types are:
Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)
Pain develops on the outer part of the elbow
Often triggered by repetitive gripping, typing, lifting, or rotating the wrist
Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)
Pain occurs on the inside of the elbow
Common in activities involving pulling, swinging, or wrist flexion
Both conditions make everyday tasks—like shaking hands, opening jars, or lifting items—painful.
2. Repetitive Strain or Overuse Injuries
People who perform repeated motions at work or during exercise often develop:
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Inner elbow pain
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Elbow pain when lifting
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Stiffness and swelling
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Weakness in the forearm or wrist
These injuries gradually worsen if not addressed.
3. Nerve Compression
The elbow contains major nerves, including the ulnar nerve. When compressed or irritated, patients report:
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Burning or tingling
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Numbness traveling into the forearm or hand
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Elbow nerve pain when bending or leaning on the arm
4. Sprains, Strains, or Impact Injuries
Falls, sports injuries, or direct trauma can lead to sharp pain in elbow, swelling, or loss of mobility.
5. Mobility Restrictions in the Shoulder or Wrist
Sometimes elbow pain is not actually an elbow problem. Limited range of motion in the shoulder or wrist can force the elbow to compensate—creating irritation, tightness, or inflammation.
Why Your Elbow Hurts When Bending or Straightening
If you’re experiencing elbow pain when bending and straightening, this usually signals irritation in one of the following:
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Tendons that flex or extend the wrist
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Ligaments supporting the elbow
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Nerves that stretch during movement
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The joint capsule when inflamed or misaligned
Pain during bending often points to tendonitis, while pain during straightening may indicate joint irritation, swelling, or muscle tightness.
Why Lifting Makes Elbow Pain Worse
If you notice elbow pain when lifting, chances are the wrist flexor or extensor tendons are inflamed. These muscles attach directly to the elbow, and lifting creates direct tension on these tissues. Over time, micro-tears can form, leading to persistent pain unless treated properly.
When Elbow Pain Radiates Up the Arm
Many patients describe pain in the upper left arm between the elbow and shoulder or a deep ache spreading into the bicep or tricep. This can happen when:
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Nerves in the elbow become irritated
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Muscles in the upper arm overcompensate for elbow weakness
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The shoulder joint is misaligned or restricted
Chiropractic evaluation helps pinpoint where the pain is truly coming from.
FAQs About Elbow Pain
Why does my elbow hurt when I straighten my arm?
This often happens when the joint surfaces are irritated or when tight forearm muscles pull excessively during extension.
Is elbow pain always caused by tendonitis?
Not always. Nerve compression, joint misalignment, bursitis, and muscle tension can mimic tendonitis symptoms.
Can chiropractic care help with tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow?
Absolutely. Chiropractors address joint mechanics, soft-tissue imbalance, inflammation, and nerve irritation—all core issues behind elbow tendonitis.
How a Fridley Chiropractor Helps Relieve Elbow Pain
A chiropractic approach to elbow pain focuses on treating the underlying cause by improving joint motion, reducing inflammation, correcting muscle imbalances, and restoring normal nerve function. Here’s how we help:
1. Joint Adjustments for the Elbow, Wrist & Shoulder
Misalignments in any of these joints can overload the elbow. Adjustments help:
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Improve range of motion
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Reduce irritation in the joint capsule
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Decrease pressure on surrounding nerves
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Restore proper movement patterns
This is especially effective for patients experiencing pain in elbow joint or elbow pain when bending.
2. Soft Tissue Therapy
Chiropractors use targeted techniques to release tension and break up adhesions in:
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Tendons
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Muscles
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Fascia
This is essential for treating elbow tendonitis, tennis elbow, and golfers elbow.
3. Mobile Physical Therapy
For patients who prefer convenient, at-home rehabilitation, mobile physical therapy offers a guided way to strengthen the affected tissues safely. Customized exercises help:
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Improve elbow stability
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Restore strength
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Reduce strain on irritated tendons
This combination yields faster recovery and longer-lasting relief.
4. Nerve Decompression Techniques
For those dealing with elbow nerve pain, chiropractic care helps reduce pressure on irritated nerves by:
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Adjusting the elbow joint
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Improving posture
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Reducing inflammation
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Correcting movement patterns
Nerve issues often resolve more quickly when addressed early.
5. Personalized Home Exercise Plans
Depending on your condition, we may recommend exercises for:
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Forearm strengthening
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Flexibility
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Shoulder stabilization
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Tendon load management
Proper exercise progression is crucial to preventing re-injury.
6. Education & Prevention Strategies
We help you understand what movements aggravate your condition—and how to avoid them. Whether it’s modifying your workstation, changing your lifting technique, or adjusting repetitive motions, prevention is a key part of long-term recovery.
Why Chiropractic Care Works for Elbow Pain
Chiropractic treatments focus on restoring the body’s natural alignment and function. When the elbow, wrist, or shoulder is misaligned, more stress falls on the surrounding tendons and nerves. By correcting these imbalances, patients often experience:
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Reduced pain
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Improved flexibility
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Better strength
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Faster healing
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Long-term relief without medication
For many individuals dealing with elbow pain when bending or straightening, chiropractic care resolves the issue in ways traditional treatments may overlook.
When to See a Chiropractor in Fridley
You should seek professional care if:
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Elbow pain lasts more than a week
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Pain increases with movement
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You notice numbness or tingling
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Lifting or gripping becomes difficult
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Pain spreads into the upper arm or shoulder
The sooner you address elbow pain, the easier it is to correct.
Get Effective, Natural Elbow Pain Treatment in Fridley
Elbow pain can disrupt your work, hobbies, and daily activities—but you don’t have to live with it. Whether you're dealing with tennis elbow, golfers elbow, elbow nerve pain, or stubborn inner elbow pain, chiropractic care offers a safe, proven, and personalized solution for long-lasting relief.
If you're ready to regain mobility, reduce pain, and support your body’s natural healing process, Minnesota Chiroworks can help you get back to feeling your best.
