Extremities & Joints
Elbow Pain
Pain at the elbow, which is often referred from the neck or driven by forearm load.
Elbow complaints may be tendon-related, joint-related, or nerve-related. They also frequently relate to what the neck and shoulder are doing, since the nerves and muscles that cross the elbow originate further up the arm.
An examination looks at grip, forearm movement, and the neck and shoulder together, since treating the elbow alone can miss the actual driver of the pain.
Why this matters
Gripping, lifting, and typing are the activities usually affected, and because these are everyday tasks, elbow pain can be persistent even when it seems minor.
Identifying whether the issue is coming from the elbow itself or is referred from elsewhere changes what approach makes sense.
The brain & nervous-system connection
Where the nervous system fits in
The nerves supplying the forearm and hand pass through the neck, shoulder, and elbow, so symptoms are traced along the whole path rather than assumed to start where they are felt.
This is why a thorough evaluation for elbow pain often includes the neck, particularly when there is any numbness, tingling, or weakness involved.
What we look at
We look for patterns, not a single test
- Detailed health history and consultation
- NeuroInfiniti Stress Response Evaluation
- Posture and movement
- Balance and coordination testing
- Eye movement or neurological screening when appropriate
- Grip or motor-function testing when appropriate
- Palpation and spinal function
- Other examination procedures based on the individual
Not every person receives every test. What we perform depends on your history, your age and what the examination shows as we go.
Scope of care
What this does — and doesn't — mean
What we do
- • We evaluate chiropractic and musculoskeletal function.
- • We look at nervous-system-related functional findings that fall within our scope.
- • We assess movement, balance and coordination findings.
- • We measure stress-response patterns with the NeuroInfiniti evaluation.
- • We make individualized chiropractic care recommendations and re-measure over time.
What we don't claim
- • We do not diagnose, treat or cure diseases.
- • Chiropractic care is not a treatment for dementia, Alzheimer's disease or other neurological diseases.
- • Chiropractic care is not a replacement for medical care, testing or medication.
- • No outcome is promised. Results vary from person to person.
Common questions
- Will I be adjusted on the first visit?
- Generally no. The first visit is an evaluation visit. Dr. Geran reviews the findings and makes recommendations at the follow-up visit.
- Do I need imaging before I come in?
- Not usually. If your history or examination suggests imaging is needed, we will say so and help arrange the right next step.
When medical evaluation may be needed
Some symptoms need medical evaluation first. If anything in your history or examination suggests that, we will say so and help point you in the right direction.
Related at Foothills Chiropractic
- Joint Pain & Staying Active — Shoulders, hips, knees, ankles — extremity function matters as much as the spine.
- Achilles Tendinopathy — Pain and stiffness in the Achilles tendon, usually load-related.
- Ankle Instability — A repeatedly rolling or unreliable ankle, usually following earlier sprains.
- Ankle Pain — Pain or restriction at the ankle, often after an old injury.
Think Foothills Chiropractic might be right for you?
Start Here walks you through what the process looks like, so you can decide whether taking the next step makes sense for you.