SoftWave Therapy for Tennis Elbow in Carrollton, TX
Elbow Pain Making It Hard to Grip, Lift or Play?
Picking up a coffee cup. Turning a doorknob. Carrying groceries. Working out. Playing golf, pickleball or tennis.
When the outside of your elbow hurts, seemingly simple movements can become surprisingly difficult.
At AXE Chiropractic in Carrollton, TX, Dr. Brett Stephens provides SoftWave Therapy for tennis elbow and chronic lateral elbow pain using advanced acoustic wave technology.
SoftWave Therapy is a non-invasive treatment option used to stimulate biological responses within painful or injured tissues and support the body's natural healing process.
No injections. No surgery. No downtime.
What Is Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow is a painful condition involving the tendons on the outside of the elbow.
Despite its name, you don't have to play tennis to develop it.
The condition is commonly associated with repetitive gripping, lifting and wrist movements that place stress on the tendons attaching near the outside of the elbow.
Tennis elbow is also commonly called:
Lateral epicondylitis
Lateral epicondylalgia
Lateral elbow tendinopathy
Symptoms frequently develop around the lateral epicondyle, the bony area on the outside of your elbow where the common extensor tendon attaches.
What Does Tennis Elbow Feel Like?
Tennis elbow typically causes pain or tenderness along the outside of the elbow.
You may notice pain when:
Gripping an object
Shaking someone's hand
Picking up a cup
Opening a jar
Turning a doorknob
Using a screwdriver or tools
Lifting weights
Typing or using a mouse
Playing tennis or pickleball
Swinging a golf club
Some people also notice that their grip feels weaker because gripping hurts.
When these symptoms persist for months, everyday activities can become extremely frustrating.
What Is SoftWave Therapy for Tennis Elbow?
SoftWave Therapy uses therapeutic acoustic waves delivered through an applicator placed against the skin.
For tennis elbow, treatment can be directed toward the common extensor tendon and surrounding painful tissues based on your clinical findings.
The acoustic waves interact with targeted tissues and are used to stimulate biological responses associated with tissue repair and healing.
SoftWave Therapy may be incorporated into a conservative treatment approach to help:
Reduce pain • Improve function • Support tissue healing • Improve tolerance to activity • Help you return to normal activity
At AXE Chiropractic, your SoftWave treatment is performed personally by Dr. Brett Stephens, D.C.
Tennis Elbow Isn't Just Inflammation
The term “lateral epicondylitis” has been used for decades, but persistent tennis elbow isn't necessarily simply an inflammatory condition.
Chronic lateral elbow pain commonly involves degenerative and structural changes within the common extensor tendon, which is why the term lateral elbow tendinopathy is often used.
That distinction matters.
When tendon pain becomes chronic, simply trying to suppress inflammation may not address the entire problem.
The Goal Is to Address the Painful Tendon and Restore Its Ability to Handle Load.
Why Does Tennis Elbow Keep Coming Back?
Your tendon has to tolerate load every day.
Gripping, carrying, lifting and repetitive wrist movements all place stress through the muscles and tendons of your forearm.
Symptoms may persist or return when the demands placed on the tendon exceed its ability to tolerate those loads.
Factors can include:
Repetitive gripping
Sudden increases in activity
Weight training
Manual labor
Racquet sports
Golf
Poor recovery
Persistent tendon weakness or reduced capacity
That's why treating chronic tennis elbow should involve more than simply waiting for the pain to disappear.
What Does Research Say About Shockwave Therapy for Tennis Elbow?
Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) has been studied as a conservative treatment for lateral elbow tendinopathy.
Clinical trials and systematic reviews have evaluated its effects on pain, grip strength and function. Results across studies show great improvement. Softwave is among the non-surgical treatment approaches that have been investigated for persistent tennis elbow.
SoftWave Therapy provides a non-invasive treatment option for patients with persistent lateral elbow tendon pain.
Not All Elbow Pain Is Tennis Elbow
Pain near your elbow doesn't automatically mean you have tennis elbow.
Different structures can produce elbow and forearm symptoms.
Depending on your presentation, Dr. Stephens may evaluate for other possible sources of pain, including:
Medial elbow tendon pain
Triceps tendon problems
Biceps tendon problems
Muscle injuries
Joint-related pain
Nerve-related symptoms
Where it hurts is important. Determining why it hurts is even more important.
Why Choose AXE Chiropractic for SoftWave Therapy?
Doctor-Performed Treatments
Your SoftWave treatments are performed personally by Dr. Brett Stephens, D.C. — not delegated to a technician.
Extensive Musculoskeletal Experience
Dr. Stephens has extensive experience evaluating and treating musculoskeletal conditions involving the spine and extremities.
Advanced SoftWave Technology
AXE Chiropractic uses SoftWave TRT technology to deliver therapeutic acoustic waves to targeted tissues.
We Don't Just Chase the Pain
Your examination helps identify the tissues and movements contributing to your symptoms so treatment can be directed appropriately.
Non-Invasive Treatment
No injections or surgical incisions are required.
Personalized Treatment
Treatment location, intensity and recommendations are based on your individual clinical findings.
REAL RELIEF. REAL RESULTS.
What to Expect at Your First Tennis Elbow Visit
1. Consultation
Tell Dr. Stephens when your elbow started hurting, what movements aggravate it, what activities you perform and what treatments you've already tried.
2. Elbow Evaluation
Your elbow, forearm and surrounding tissues are evaluated to determine whether your symptoms are consistent with lateral elbow tendinopathy and whether SoftWave Therapy may be appropriate.
3. Your First SoftWave Treatment
When clinically appropriate, you'll receive your first SoftWave treatment during your visit.
4. Personalized Plan
Dr. Stephens will discuss his findings and recommend a treatment approach based on your individual condition.
5. Get Back to Life
The goal is to help you grip, lift, work, exercise and play without constantly thinking about your elbow.
Is SoftWave Therapy Right for Your Tennis Elbow?
Consider having your elbow evaluated if pain is interfering with:
Gripping
Lifting
Working
Weight training
Golf
Tennis
Pickleball
Using tools
Computer work
Carrying groceries
Household activities
SoftWave Therapy may be particularly worth discussing when elbow pain has become persistent despite rest and other conservative approaches.
You've Rested It. You've Braced It. It Still Hurts.
You stopped lifting.
You bought the elbow strap.
You stretched your forearm.
You rested it.
It started feeling better...
Then you grabbed something, returned to the gym or swung a golf club—
And the Pain Came Right Back.
Persistent tendon problems can be frustrating because avoiding everything that hurts isn't much of a long-term strategy.
It may be time to take a different approach.