Elbow pain can sneak up on you — after a long day at work, a tough workout, or even something as simple as lifting a grocery bag. But when that elbow pain lingers for weeks or months, it’s more than annoying. It’s a sign your body is telling you something isn’t healing correctly. Whether you’re dealing with tennis elbow, inner elbow pain, pain in the upper left arm between the elbow and shoulder, or elbow pain when bending and straightening, you’re not alone — and you don’t have to just live with it.
If your elbow pain isn’t going away, a San Leandro chiropractor can help you understand the underlying cause and create a personalized treatment plan that gets you moving again without discomfort.
Why Elbow Pain Becomes Chronic
Most people assume elbow pain is temporary — something that will go away with a little rest. However, the elbow is a complex joint involving muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerve pathways. When any of these become irritated or overloaded, pain can persist far longer than expected.
Here are the most common reasons elbow pain sticks around:
1. Repetitive Stress That Never Fully Heals
Daily activities like typing, lifting, gripping, swinging a racquet, or working with tools can repeatedly strain the elbow tendons. Over time, this micro-damage creates inflammation and reduced mobility. This is often the root of:
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Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
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Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis)
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Elbow tendonitis
2. Muscle Imbalances and Poor Movement Patterns
Weakness in the shoulders, forearms, or upper back can force the elbow joint to compensate. This leads to:
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Pain on the inside of the elbow when straightening your arm
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Pain in the elbow joint during lifting
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Pain in the upper arm between the elbow and shoulder
3. Nerve Irritation
The nerves that travel from your neck through your shoulder and down to your elbow can become compressed, creating radiating pain, tingling, or weakness.
4. Limited Joint Mobility
If the elbow, shoulder, or wrist loses mobility — whether from posture, scar tissue, or injury — the entire kinetic chain becomes stressed.
5. Incomplete Rehabilitation
Many people stop rehab too early, once the pain decreases. But the tendon may not have fully healed, leaving the area vulnerable to re-injury.
Is It Tennis Elbow or Something Else?
Tennis elbow is one of the most common causes of pain in the elbow, but it’s not the only one.
Signs You May Have Tennis Elbow
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Pain on the outside of the elbow
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Burning sensation during gripping
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Elbow pain when lifting objects
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Elbow pain when bending and straightening
Signs It Might Be Golfer’s Elbow Instead
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Inside elbow pain
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Pain when gripping or flexing the wrist
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Tenderness on the inner elbow bone
Signs It Might Be Nerve-Related
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Radiating pain into the upper arm
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Tingling into the forearm or fingers
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Weak grip strength
If you’re unsure which one applies to you, a chiropractor in San Leandro can evaluate your movement, joint health, and muscle function to pinpoint the exact cause.
Common Questions About Persistent Elbow Pain
Why does my elbow hurt when bending or straightening?
This often indicates tendon irritation, joint restriction, or inflammation around the elbow joint. Both tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow can make bending or straightening painful, especially first thing in the morning or during repetitive tasks.
Why does my elbow hurt when lifting?
Lifting requires coordinated strength from your forearm, biceps, triceps, and shoulder muscles. If any of these are overloaded or weak, the elbow compensates — creating joint stress and tendon strain.
Why does the inside of my elbow hurt?
Inside elbow pain is typically linked to golfer’s elbow or flexor tendon irritation. Repetitive gripping, desk work, and weightlifting often contribute.
How Chiropractic Care Helps Elbow Pain Heal Faster
Chiropractic care goes far beyond adjustments. At Golden Bear Chiropractic, treatment focuses on restoring proper movement, reducing inflammation, and strengthening the structures around the elbow so the pain stays away.
Here’s how a San Leandro chiropractor helps patients recover:
1. Precise Joint Adjustments for Better Mobility
If the elbow, wrist, shoulder, or even the upper spine isn’t moving correctly, the elbow joint absorbs extra stress. Chiropractic adjustments help:
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Restore normal joint mechanics
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Reduce compression and inflammation
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Improve blood flow to the injured tissues
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Relieve pain in the elbow joint
This is especially helpful for patients experiencing pain in the elbow when straightening the arm or stiffness after prolonged activity.
2. Soft Tissue Therapy to Break Up Stubborn Tension
Tight or inflamed muscles around the elbow contribute to chronic discomfort. Soft tissue techniques — such as myofascial release, Graston, or cupping — help:
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Release adhesions and scar tissue
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Decrease muscle tension
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Improve flexibility and grip strength
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Accelerate tendon healing
This is particularly effective for tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, and elbow tendonitis.
3. Corrective Exercise to Rebuild Strength
Lasting recovery requires rebuilding the strength of your forearm, wrist, and shoulder. Chiropractors provide targeted exercises to:
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Improve tendon resilience
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Restore proper movement patterns
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Correct muscle imbalances
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Prevent future flare-ups
These exercises are critical if you’re experiencing elbow pain when lifting, weakness, or recurring injury.
4. Posture & Ergonomics Coaching
Poor desk setup, repetitive tasks, or bad posture can worsen elbow pain. Your chiropractor will help you adjust:
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Workstation ergonomics
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Lifting mechanics
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Sports technique
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Daily movement habits
Small changes can dramatically reduce stress on the elbow.
5. Holistic Care That Addresses the Entire Arm
Elbow pain rarely occurs in isolation. Chiropractors also assess the:
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Neck
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Shoulder
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Scapula
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Wrist
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Forearm
This whole-body approach helps eliminate the root cause — not just mask symptoms.
When to See a Chiropractor for Elbow Pain
You should book a visit if you experience:
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Pain lasting longer than two weeks
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Sharp pain with lifting or gripping
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Pain on the inside or outside of the elbow
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Pain in the upper left arm between the elbow and shoulder
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Stiffness when bending or straightening
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Weak grip strength or dropping objects
Early care helps prevent chronic tendon damage.
What Makes Golden Bear Chiropractic Different?
Golden Bear Chiropractic focuses on evidence-based, patient-centered care. Instead of one-size-fits-all protocols, they create treatment plans tailored to your unique pain patterns, lifestyle, and recovery goals. Their team uses advanced techniques, whole-body assessments, and corrective therapy to deliver long-lasting relief.
Your Road to Lasting Elbow Pain Relief Starts Here
If you’re tired of dealing with persistent elbow pain, whether from tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, repetitive stress, or nerve irritation, chiropractic care provides a safe, effective, and long-term solution. With personalized treatment, hands-on care, and corrective exercises from Golden Bear Chiropractic, you can regain strength, mobility, and confidence in your daily activities.
Ready to finally get relief?
Schedule an appointment with a trusted chiropractor in San Leandro at Golden Bear Chiropractic and start your recovery today.
