Axis Health and Wellness

Elbow Pain Centennial, CO

  • Tennis & Golfer\u2019s Elbow
  • SoftWave Tendon Repair
  • No Injections or Surgery

Elbow Pain Treatment in Centennial, CO

Athlete with elbow pain from a sports injury treated at Axis Health and Wellness in Centennial CO

Elbow pain can unexpectedly be experienced by people when they’re straightening their arms, and it can develop due to repetitive strain injuries. It affects one’s handshake, and even turning the doorknob can make individuals wince. Since classic tennis elbow is an issue with the tendons instead of dramatic injuries, it can refuse to heal slowly, and it might not get better after some time even if one has already spent months resting.

It’s very stubborn, and tennis elbow can affect the outside of the elbow, and it can hurt for months. Fortunately, tendonitis may be treated with SoftWave therapy that’s available at Axis Health and Wellness in Centennial by Dr. Tony Nicholas, who is a golfer himself. 

How Elbow Pain Usually Shows Up?

  • The pain on the outside of the elbow can come with gripping, and one shouldn’t have to be a tennis player to get this. 
  • Painful sensations can be felt inside the elbow, and this is common in golfers who are always making swinging motions for their game. 
  • Aches flare up repeatedly, especially if one uses a lot of tools every day, like wrenches.
  • A grip that quietly weakens because using it hurts.

Both classic patterns are tendinopathies, overuse damage where the tendon anchors at the elbow, and they famously outlast rest, because rest does not restart healing. It just pauses the aggravation.

Why SoftWave Fits Tendon Problems?

SoftWave therapy helps by delivering acoustic waves into damaged tissue so a specific part of the body can increase its blood flow, and this encourages natural healing. It’s helpful in conditions like tendinopathy and tendinosis, according to Dr. Tony. Some of its benefits are the following:

  • Each session lasts for about ten minutes, and it’s non-invasive with little to no side effects.
  • Risks are low, so it’s worth trying to see how the elbow is able to respond.
  • SoftWave is avoided near a pacemaker, and if the elbow has recently had a cortisone injection, treatment is delayed for at least three weeks.
  • The first SoftWave session is as low as $49.

“SoftWave can be absolutely amazing for those who have joint conditions like tendinopathies and arthritis because it can alleviate pain.” 

Dr. Tony Nicholas, D.C., on the SoftWave device

When the Elbow Is Not the Whole Story

The nerves that control the arm and hand come from the neck, so pain in the arm may sometimes actually be caused by a problem in the neck. Pinched nerves in the cervical spine can send pain radiating down the spine, and this can cause numbness or tingling in the hand which points up toward the neck rather than down at the tendon.

A thorough examination at Dr. Tony’s clinic can check the cause of the pain, and treating a tendon for six weeks won’t fix pain caused by a pinched nerve higher up, such as in the neck.

What Your First Visit Looks Like

  • 1Checking your full medical history. . The doctor will need to know when the pain started and what makes it painful, as well as the treatments that the patient has already tried.
  • 2An exam of the elbow, arm, and neck. Sorting tendon pain from referred nerve pain, with X-rays when the treatment needs them.
  • 3Treatment, often the same day. For a straightforward tendinopathy, the first SoftWave session typically happens on day one of the visit.
  • 4Weekly re-evaluation. There will be a need for further assessments to see if there are improvements with the treatment.

How Long Elbow Treatment Takes in Centennial?

The duration can depend on the patient’s current condition, but usually, it takes around 6 to 10 treatments with SoftWave that are reassessed weekly. It can be longer, especially if the elbow has been hurting for a long time, and if there are no changes by the 12th visit, then the doctor will refer the patient to a specialist rather than continuing with the treatment that may not be working. 

Get Medical Evaluation First If

  • The elbow pain started because of trauma from a fall.
  • There’s a need to rule out a fracture and other serious conditions with the muscles.
  • There are deformed joints that are swelling after getting injured.

A long-standing complaint with the elbow is often one that is treated in this clinic.

How Much Does it Cost?

A SoftWave session can start at $49 while chiropractic treatment can be available for $29. The clinic accepts all insurance except Medicaid. They also welcome credit cards, Cherry, FSA, HAS, and cash, with payment plans available including no interest options.

Elbow Pain FAQs

I don’t play tennis or golf. Why do I have tennis elbow?

Since elbow pain comes from repeated gripping, it can overload the tendons, and this is why the condition is often common in weightlifters. Workers who are typing for hours in front of a computer may also get this even if they’ve never been to a tennis court.

Why didn’t rest fix it?

This is because chronic damage in the tendon isn’t considered an inflammation that one just needs to calm down. If the treatment is delayed, the healing won’t progress, and this can just repeatedly become painful if there are no medical interventions. 

What does a SoftWave session on an elbow involve?

The specialist will apply gel on the elbow and deliver acoustic waves into the damaged area, and the session can typically last for about ten minutes. The entire process is non-invasive with little to no side effects, and afterwards, it can feel better within two days.

A patient may undergo SoftWave therapy on the patient’s first visit if necessary.

Could my elbow pain be coming from my neck?

This can happen, especially with referred pain, because the nerves in the arms are exiting the cervical spine. A pinched nerve can radiate down the arms, and many people might feel a tingling sensation in their elbows. However, the neck is actually involved, especially if numbness is felt along the arms.

I had a cortisone shot in the elbow. Now what?

It’s important to wait at least three weeks after a patient has gotten a cortisone injection before trying SoftWave treatment so the elbow will have time to recover. 

Inform the doctor about the date of the injection so they can create a tailored treatment that takes the cortisone injection into consideration.

How many sessions before my grip comes back?

A chronic case for most people may mean needing around six to ten SoftWave sessions, and one of the clearest indications that this is working is when one’s grip starts to return.

Get Your Grip Back

An elbow that hurts even if you’re just lifting a coffee pot deserves attention. Don’t wait too long and get it examined by the right specialists. We treat elbow pain for Centennial, Greenwood Village, Lone Tree, Highlands Ranch, Littleton, Aurora, Parker, and Castle Rock.