Tennis Elbow Treatment Oakville

You’ve Been Diagnosed with Lateral Epicondylitis or Tennis Elbow, But Haven’t Picked Up a Racket in Years? Dr. Steve Knighton and his chiropractic and physiotherapy team have been helping people with elbow pain for almost 2 decades.

Don’t worry, you’re not alone! In fact, 90% of our Tennis Elbow patients have never even swung a racket. Despite the name, Tennis Elbow can be caused by everyday activities, like texting, working on computers, lifting heavy bags, or even gardening. At our Oakville chiropractic clinic, we’re seeing an increasing number of patients suffering from Tennis Elbow every year.

If you’re dealing with pain in your elbow, don’t wait – call us today! Our expert chiropractors are here to help you get back to doing the things you love, pain-free.

What Is Tennis Elbow?

Best Treatment For Tennis Elbow Oakville:

It’s not surprising that our chiropractors treat a lot of cases of tennis elbow considering how much time people spend on their computers these days. There are a number of different treatment modalities that can be used to treat tennis elbow at our Oakville Clinic.

Download FREE Tennis Elbow Exercises

What Our Patients Are saying

  • Dr. Steve is professional and friendly. He explained the cause of knee pain and answered all my concerns about the injury. His assistant and all staff at the clinic are really nice and patient. As a tourist, it is very frustrating to have an injury during the trip. However, they... read more

    Bo Zhang Avatar Bo Zhang
    August 7, 2024

    Dr Steve is friendly, efficient and above all knowledgeable. He’s helped with my plantar fasciitis and is now moving on to my tennis elbow! I never need to wait. His staff are amazing!

    Katherine Babb Avatar Katherine Babb
    September 7, 2024

    Dr. Steve and his team are amazing. I am so glad I found Dr. Steve as he always makes me feel better. He listens and really cares for his patients. Also, Vinaya (PT) is definitely the best PT I have ever been to. Highly recommend :)

    Jennifer Connelly Avatar Jennifer Connelly
    October 7, 2024
  • Dr. Steve is one of the humble person. He always treats you like a friend and pay attention to your problem. Moreover, he politely explains each and every problem and solutions. The staff of this clinic is also very good. All the staff greets you. When you are waiting at... read more

    Sanyam Jain Avatar Sanyam Jain
    August 7, 2024

    The staff and the doctors at this place are amazing. My husband and I both have had really good experience with 2 different doctors here. After years of suffering and going to different practitioners finally Dr. Jenn worked magic on my lower back pain and neck. I've... read more

    amal farooq Avatar amal farooq
    October 7, 2024

    Dr. Steve and his assistant Laura did a great job of healing my jaw pain. Laura was always so professional and her Shockwave treatment really helped ease the pain.

    Suzanne Di Stefano [Staff] Avatar Suzanne Di Stefano [Staff]
    June 7, 2024
  • Phenomenal service and care. Dr Steve and his staff are always very welcoming and knowledgeable.

    AdrianFootball 97 Avatar AdrianFootball 97
    February 6, 2025

    When I booked my first appointment with Dr. Steve, my SI was in so much pain, I couldn’t stand due to the pain and it was worse sitting down. I chose Dr. Steve just for proximity to work, and at the time desperate for some relief. Dr. Steve assured me... read more

    Renee Phillips Avatar Renee Phillips
    February 6, 2025

    Love Dr. Steve's sense of humour, enthusiasm and determination to make you feel better he always adds a positive part in our day when we come here thank you! We love the staff at the front desk and the helpers of Dr Steve they are so kind and hardworking. Thank... read more

    gunes ozok Avatar gunes ozok
    December 7, 2024

A graphic showing symptoms of Tennis Elbow

Symptoms of Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow pain may stay localized around the outer elbow or radiate down the forearm and hand. In advanced cases, it can spread above the elbow into the upper arm. The pain is often dull and throbbing at rest but sharp with movement.

Everyday activities like desk work, lifting kids, or twisting a jar can aggravate symptoms. Pain is often worse in the morning, as certain sleeping positions may hinder healing, making movement difficult upon waking.

Since we rely on our hands for most tasks, tennis elbow can be a real burden. Activities like using a mouse, lifting, turning a doorknob, or even shaking hands can be painful. Any task requiring grip or finger dexterity may worsen symptoms.

Redness and swelling may also occur, especially in acute or severe cases.

Treatment for Tennis Elbow

Interferential Current Therapy being given to patient for elbow pain

1. Interferential Current Therapy Oakville

IFC is an electrical modality that our chiropractors use to reduce pain and inflammation around painful joints and muscles. The electrical stimulation helps to block pain signals and relieve some discomfort. Our machines use suction cups to hold conductors against the skin and stimulate the painful joint and/or muscle. The machine feels like tingling, and our patients love the results!

Learn more about IFC treatment for Tennis Eblow

A patient getting shockwave treatment for elbow pain

2. Shockwave Therapy for Tennis Elbow

Shockwave Therapy uses a bullet in a pressured tube that contacts the area of injury such as the forearm, triceps and the elbow area in Tennis Elbow Patients. Treatment is annoying to a little bit painful and lasts for 2 to 3 minutes. Most shockwave patients will notice a difference after the first shockwave treatment for tennis elbow.

Learn more about Tennis Elbow Treatment and Shockwave

3. Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Therapy

In most cases of tennis elbow, our physiotherapy and chiropractic team at the clinic will use Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Therapy (IASTT) to treat the area of pain. This technique, often referred to as “scraping,” involves the use of specialized tools to gently apply pressure to the affected area. The purpose of this technique is to break down superficial adhesions and scar tissue within the forearm muscles, promoting better tissue mobility and function. By targeting the soft tissue restrictions, IASTT helps to alleviate pain, improve blood flow, and enhance healing, ultimately aiding in the recovery of the tendon and surrounding muscles. This therapy is an effective method for managing tennis elbow and accelerating the rehabilitation process.

a small metal tool used to scrape the area around the elbow

4. Soft Tissue Release & Trigger Point Therapy

The muscles on the back of the forearm can feel very tight and painful. Our chiropractors will use their hands to massage the muscles and release the tension. Another option to treat the soft tissues is Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Massage. Using a tool, our chiropractors will dig into and massage the tendon to help prevent scar tissue from building up, and promoting the tendon healing in the proper orientation.

A person receiving soft tissue treatment for Elbow pain

5. Acupuncture Treatment For Tennis Elbow

Acupuncture is one of the best ways to treat tennis elbow. In most cases, Dr. Jenn only needs to use 3-4 needles to make a positive impact on the pain associated with this condition. Acupuncture involves the insertion of very thin needles through the skin to impact the muscles and nerves in the area. The insertion of these needles helps increase blood flow to the area and helps clean up the chemical environment around nerves that can cause irritation and pain.

Acupuncture at our Oakville clinic is not painful. In cases of acute pain, inserting the needles may feel achy, but once they have been fully inserted they should not cause any additional pain. In addition to traditional acupuncture, electrical stimulation can be applied to make the treatment even more effective. Acupuncture treatments last 12-15 minutes and can be included as part of a regular chiropractic visits.

Read More About Acupuncture For Tennis Elbow Here

A patient receiving acupuncture treatment for elbow pain

Do You Need X-rays or Ultrasounds for Tennis Elbow

Probably not. Tennis elbow pain can be intense, leading some patients to consider imaging, but it’s usually unnecessary. Our Oakville chiropractors can assess the condition through orthopedic tests and a detailed history without imaging. They typically begin with conservative care before recommending an ultrasound.

If there’s no significant improvement after 8–14 treatments, you’ll be referred to your doctor for an ultrasound to rule out other conditions or explain delayed healing.

 

A graphic showing tennis elbow xray

A graphic showing tennis elbow pain

What If It’s Not Tennis Elbow?

If your tennis elbow has been persistent for more than a few weeks, it is possible that you are dealing with tendonosis rather than tendonitis. The term “itis” in tendonitis refers to inflammation, while “osis” in tendonosis indicates a cellular change in the tendon. By this stage, the inflammatory process has subsided, but the tendon fibers may remain disorganized and no longer function as they should. In these cases, our treatment team will intensify the treatment plan, starting with shockwave therapy for tennis elbow in Oakville.

If the pain you’re experiencing is not located on the outside of your elbow, but rather on the inside, it’s likely that you have Golfer’s Elbow.

A patient using elbow brace for pain

Bracing and Icing for Tennis Elbow

Ice is a crucial part of rehabilitating lateral epicondylitis, or tennis elbow. This condition involves inflammation of the common extensor tendon of the elbow, and ice helps reduce this inflammation by constricting blood vessels and promoting the removal of excess fluid. Apply ice to the area of your elbow or forearm, focusing on the thumb side. Use the 20-20-20 rule: 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off, 20 minutes on. Repeat this cycle 1-3 times a day. Always wrap the ice in a thin towel to protect your skin from frostbite.

Our chiropractors recommend that all patients with tennis elbow invest in both a Tennis Elbow Brace and a Wrist Guard. Wear the Tennis Elbow Brace during any arm or hand activities throughout the day, including during your work shift if you have a desk job. Be sure to remove the brace at night.

For optimal recovery, wear the Wrist Guard while you sleep. This brace helps prevent wrist flexion during sleep, allowing the irritated tendons to heal without further strain. It does not need to be worn during the day.

Tennis Elbow FAQS

Lifestyle Changes for Tennis Elbow

  1. Stop doing what’s causing your pain. Hanging drywall, painting, online gaming addictions, give your arm and hand a break for 3 to 4 days, and see if things clear up.
  2.  Get in for treatment ASAP.  The sooner we start the healing process the easier it will be to fix.
  3. Education will be a big part of prevention of future flare-ups.  If the arm is not substantially better in 6 to 8 treatments we would ask your MD for an Ultrasound and get to the bottom of why it’s not healing normally.

Tennis Elbow Stretches and Exercises

Exercise is a very important part of the recovery process for Tennis Elbow. The hands-on treatment offered by our Oakville chiropractors will stimulate healing and put you on the road to recovery. However, you will spend a maximum of 1-2 hours at the clinic every week during treatments, leaving the rest of the hours for you to take responsibility for your own healing.

DOWNLOAD TENNIS ELBOW STRETCHES

Our chiropractors have put together a simple plan of stretches and exercises to help speed up the recovery process. These exercises can be completed on a daily basis, and will target the affected muscles. Building up strength in the wrist extensors is a critical part of recovery, both to reduce pain and prevent the condition from returning.

Tennis elbow exercises chart