So my tennis elbow was killing me for months. Every time I tried to lift my coffee mug or turn a doorknob, this sharp pain shot right through my forearm. Felt like my tendon was getting stabbed with a hot knife. I tried everything people suggested – ice packs, rest, those fancy elbow braces from Amazon – nothing stuck.
The Breaking Point
One morning I dropped a full cereal bowl trying to carry it to the table. Milk and cornflakes everywhere. That’s when I booked an appointment with Dr. Chen, this chiropractor my volleyball buddy swore fixed his shoulder. Walked in expecting magic hands and spine cracking.
Surprise Treatment Plan
Dr. Chen sat me down and actually listened for 20 whole minutes about how the pain started after renovating my bathroom. No instant adjustments yet! First thing he did:
- Made me do slow wrist curls with 2-pound dumbbells like a grandma
- Pressed weird spots near my elbow asking “sharp or dull?”
- Had me push against his hand while he blocked my wrist
Actual Hands-On Stuff
Only then he started real treatment. Coolest part was the Graston technique – basically rubbed stainless steel tools over my tendon while bending my wrist. Hurt like hell but in that “good hurt” way? Also did:
- Ultrasound therapy with warm gooey gel that tingled
- Cross-friction massage where he dug thumbs into the sore spot
- Gentle elbow adjustments with quick pops that sounded scary but felt relieving
Homework Sucks But Works
He gave me three stupid-simple exercises to do daily:
- Wrist extensor stretches holding arm straight like a traffic cop
- Towel twists pretending to wring water out
- Reverse grip curls using a hammer handle
How It Played Out
Took six weeks of seeing him twice weekly plus religiously doing my dorky hammer exercises. Not gonna lie – after session three I almost quit when my arm felt worse. But Dr. Chen said that meant inflammation was breaking up. By month’s end I could finally:
- Carry grocery bags without wincing
- High-five without yelping
- Open pickle jars like a normal human
Still get twinges when I overdo it building IKEA furniture, but now I know the damn hammer routine cold. Chiropractors aren’t just for backs folks – this quack fixed my noodle arm.