How Can Chiropractic Care Help with Elbow Injuries in Sports Throwers?
- Julian Simpson
- May 12
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 17
How Can Chiropractic Care Help with Elbow Injuries in Sports Throwers?
Recent research looked into Sports Chiropractic and its effect on treating Javelin Sports players
The throwing action of the javelin can be divided into four broad phases i) the approach/run up, ii) the delivery stride, iii) the delivery and iv) the recovery phase
The distance of the throw is directly related to the release speed, with 70% of the release speed created during the last 0.1 second of the throwing action in the delivery phase, which puts significant stress on the medial elbow and may predispose this area to injuries
The throwing action of javelin places significant stress on the elbow joint and may make this area susceptible to injuries.
Medial elbow issues are not exclusive to the sport of javelin, but also seen in baseball, American football, volleyball, water polo, badminton, squash and tennis which require similar overhead actions
Let’s discuss the biomechanics of the elbow
Primary passive soft tissue stabilizers of the elbow joint resisting varus stress is from the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) and valgus stress from the medial collateral ligament (MCL).
The medial ulnar collateral ligament (MUCL) or MCL is also referred to as ulnar collateral ligament (UCL); however, throughout this case report the term UCL will be used.
The UCL is comprised of three bundles (anterior, posterior and transverse) that provide primary restraint to valgus stress.
The anterior bundle is the most commonly injured structure of the UCL.
The anterior bundle can then be further divided into the anterior and posterior bands, providing valgus restraint in overhead throwing actions from 30°-90⁰ (anterior), 90⁰-120° (posterior) and coprimary restraint between 60⁰-90⁰ of elbow flexion in motion
Active stabilization of the elbow joint occurs through four broad muscle groups that traverse the elbow joint; the wrist flexors, wrist extensors, elbow flexors, and elbow extensors and provide joint compressive forces and force transmission during functional movement
Active stabilization of the elbow joint occurs through four broad muscle groups that traverse the elbow joint; the wrist flexors, wrist extensors, elbow flexors, and elbow extensors and provide joint compressive forces and force transmission during functional movement
Treatment options for Sports Players with elbow injuries
Your local chiropractor will look into the elbow joint biomechanics as injuries usually occur due to poor mechanics of the throwing technique
Often , scapular and GH mechanics are poor, due to limitations in joint mobility and/or muscular weakness, correct shoulder ‘cocking’ motion becomes limited, and the athlete will be unable to adequately move the shoulder through the throwing motion as seen in the delivery phase
The shoulder position is set during the run up (transition & intermediate strides and delivery stride phases. If not set appropriately during these phases, it becomes difficult to correct the throwing arm which will result in a low carrying angle (below the shoulder), with greater elbow flexion, exposing the elbow to higher amounts of valgus strain
The introduction of the delivery phase, the cocking phase, will initiate upward rotation (posterior tilting) and retraction of the scapula, maximizing external GH rotation and providing a stable base for the humerus to effectively rotate at high velocities during the acceleration phase.
This accelerative torque influences the amount of force the shoulder can produce resulting in the late cocking phases whipping action, creating maximal valgus tension through the elbow, as the elbow moves into flexion
The acceleration phase is the most ballistic movement of the javelin throw, starting when the shoulder assumes the position of maximal external rotation, to javelin release.
Valgus tension of the elbow is at its greatest as a result of the GH external rotation lag generated in this phase which is primarily restrained by the anterior bundle of the UCL
The deceleration phase begins at javelin release, creating high eccentric tension on the posterior scapulo-humeral decelerators and follow through effects on the elbow, forearm and wrists. The elbow undergoes forceful flexion to extension with the completion of the ‘whipping action’, placing high stress on elbow joint osseous articulation
Tests for the elbow the Chiropractor may perform
The three tests are usually the
valgus stress test
Milking manoeuvres
Moving valgus stress test
What works in manual therapy to help the elbow
soft tissue therapy
Chiropractic adjustments onto the joint
Dry needling
Our online rehab program that focus on the upper extremity
Elbow Pain Chiropractor
Q: Can chiropractic care relieve elbow pain?Yes, chiropractic can address joint and muscle imbalances that cause conditions like tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, or tendonitis.
Q: How does chiropractic treat elbow pain?Through joint adjustments, soft tissue therapy, and exercises to improve movement and reduce strain on the elbow.
Q: Is chiropractic safe for chronic elbow pain?Yes, treatments are non-invasive, drug-free, and tailored to your condition.
Q: Can chiropractic help prevent future elbow injuries?Yes, strengthening exercises and proper biomechanics reduce the risk of recurring pain.
For more information about how we can help YOU with your sports performance and/or injury. Please call Health Wise Chiropractic 03 9467 7889 or book online to see one of our Chiropractors in Sunbury or Melton/Strathtulloh Today!
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Reference McEntyre AS, Clohesy NC, Steven DJ. A Multimodal Chiropractic Approach to the Treatment and Management of Medial Elbow Injuries in Elite Javelin Throwers: A Case Series. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2025 Mar 1;20(3):429-447. doi: 10.26603/001c.129970. PMID: 40041535; PMCID: PMC11872539.
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