What Is Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is a painful condition caused by overuse of the forearm muscles and tendons that attach to the outside of the elbow. Despite the name, it affects far more people who type, lift, grip, or perform repetitive arm motions at work than it does actual tennis players.
The result is inflammation and micro-tearing at the lateral epicondyle, the bony bump on the outside of the elbow, which produces a persistent aching or burning pain that worsens with gripping, lifting, or rotating the forearm. Left untreated, it tends to become chronic and the repetitive nature of most people's daily activities makes it difficult for the tissue to heal on its own.
Chiropractic care combined with targeted soft tissue treatment addresses the actual tissue damage driving the pain, rather than managing symptoms with anti-inflammatories while the underlying problem continues.
When Rest and Stretching Aren't Enough
Most people with tennis elbow try to push through it, rest it, or manage it with over-the-counter pain relief. For mild cases that works. For persistent or recurring tennis elbow, it usually doesn't, because the underlying mechanics driving the problem, whether that's muscle imbalance, joint restriction at the elbow or wrist, or accumulated scar tissue in the tendon, are still there.
That's the gap chiropractic care fills. Rather than waiting out the pain cycle, Dr. Garcia and Dr. Scarfia assess the full kinetic chain: elbow mechanics, wrist and forearm function, and any contributing factors from posture or movement patterns. The goal is to resolve what's actually causing the strain, not just provide temporary relief.
Minnesota ChiroWorks also treats golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis), which involves the same type of repetitive strain on the inside of the elbow. If you're unsure which condition you have, the assessment will clarify that.
Tennis Elbow Care at Minnesota ChiroWorks
Dr. Steve Scarfia, DC brings a depth of soft tissue expertise that is particularly well-suited to tendon and repetitive strain conditions like tennis elbow. His credentials include FAKTR certification (functional and kinetic treatment with rehabilitation, a specialized soft tissue and movement-based approach), Graston M1 certification (instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization, which directly targets the adhesions and scar tissue that build up in tendons like the lateral epicondyle), and McKenzie Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT) Parts A and B. He holds a Doctor of Chiropractic from Northwestern Health Sciences University and a BS in Human Biology.
Dr. Richard Garcia, DC brings years of experience treating musculoskeletal injuries and repetitive strain conditions at Minnesota ChiroWorks in Fridley. His approach integrates chiropractic adjustment with soft tissue work and rehabilitation guidance to support full recovery.
Care for tennis elbow at Minnesota ChiroWorks may include:
- Laser therapy as a complementary tool for reducing inflammation and accelerating tissue repair
- Graston instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization to break down tendon adhesions
- FAKTR soft tissue and rehabilitation techniques for functional recovery
- Chiropractic adjustments to address elbow, wrist, and cervical joint mechanics
- Rehabilitation and movement guidance to prevent recurrence
Minnesota ChiroWorks is in-network with Medicare and Medicaid and accepts most major insurance plans.
Relief from Tennis Elbow in Fridley, MN
Assessment
Treatment
Your Recovery Plan
What Tennis Elbow Treatment Can Do for You
- Pain relief without relying on medication. Targeted soft tissue work and chiropractic care address the tendon damage and joint mechanics driving your pain, reducing the need for ongoing anti-inflammatories.
- Restored grip strength and function. Graston and FAKTR techniques directly treat the adhesions and scar tissue that limit tendon movement and weaken grip, helping you regain strength you may have been losing for months.
- Faster recovery than rest alone. Active treatment accelerates tissue repair and restores normal function more quickly than waiting it out, particularly for chronic or recurring cases.
- Lower risk of recurrence. By addressing the movement mechanics and muscle imbalances contributing to the overuse pattern, treatment at Minnesota ChiroWorks targets the cause rather than just the symptoms.
Chiropractic Physician
“A physician skilled and specializing in the manual adjustments of joints (mainly of the spine) to restore normal function to the greatest extent possible.”
We are evidence based, patient centered, and results driven. We believe that there is no one single provider for optimum health, and we believe that healthcare is a right, not a privilege.
Book by Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions About Tennis Elbow Treatment
Yes. Chiropractors treat tennis elbow by addressing the soft tissue damage, joint mechanics, and movement patterns contributing to the condition. At Minnesota ChiroWorks, Dr. Scarfia's FAKTR and Graston M1 certifications are specifically relevant to tendon and repetitive strain conditions like lateral epicondylitis.
It depends on how long the condition has been present and its severity. Acute cases often respond within a few weeks of treatment. Chronic cases that have been present for months typically require a longer course of care. Dr. Garcia or Dr. Scarfia will give you a realistic timeline after your initial assessment.
Minnesota ChiroWorks is in-network with Medicare and Medicaid and accepts most major insurance plans. Contact the clinic to confirm your specific coverage before your visit.
Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) affects the outside of the elbow. Golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis) affects the inside. Both involve repetitive strain and tendon irritation, and both are treated at Minnesota ChiroWorks using similar approaches.
No referral is needed at Minnesota ChiroWorks. Same-day appointments are often available and you can book directly online or by phone.
Graston is an instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization technique that uses stainless steel tools to identify and treat adhesions and scar tissue within tendons and muscles. For tennis elbow, it directly targets the damaged tissue at the lateral epicondyle, promoting repair and restoring normal tendon function. Dr. Scarfia is a Graston M1 certified provider.
Ready to Get Your Elbow Feeling Better?
Minnesota ChiroWorks serves Fridley, Spring Lake Park, Columbia Heights, Blaine, and the surrounding north Twin Cities metro. Dr. Richard Garcia, DC and Dr. Steve Scarfia, DC are accepting new patients. Book your visit online or call the clinic at (763) 571-0239.
The Minnesota ChiroWorks, PC d/b/a Spine Care Fridley
7872 University Ave NE,Fridley, MN
55432 View Staff & Treatments
