Why "Baseball Elbow" Isn’t Just an Elbow Problem: A Sarasota Parent’s Guide
In Sarasota, baseball isn't just a sport—it’s a year-round passion. From Little League at Twin Lakes Park to high school championships, our young athletes pour their hearts into the game. But for many pitchers and infielders, that passion is often interrupted by a sharp, nagging pain on the inside of the elbow.
Commonly known as "Baseball Elbow" (or Little Leaguer’s Elbow), this condition can sideline a promising season. However, at Vertical Chiropractic, we look at this injury differently. To truly fix the elbow, you have to look at the entire "kinetic chain."
What is Baseball Elbow?
Technically called medial epicondyle apophysitis, Baseball Elbow is an overuse injury to the growth plate on the inner side of the elbow. Because a child’s bones are still growing, the tendons and ligaments can actually pull on—and sometimes even pull away—the growth plate during the high-velocity "acceleration" phase of a throw.
The Warning Signs:
Pain on the inside of the elbow during or after throwing.
A noticeable drop in throwing velocity or accuracy.
Stiffness or inability to fully straighten the arm.
Swelling or tenderness around the "bony bump" of the inner elbow.
The Vertical Perspective: It’s All Connected
While traditional treatments often focus solely on icing the elbow and resting, our team at Vertical Chiropractic knows that the elbow is usually just the victim, not the criminal.
Throwing a baseball is a full-body movement. If there is a "kink" anywhere in the kinetic chain, the elbow has to work twice as hard to compensate. We often find that "Baseball Elbow" is actually caused by:
Limited Thoracic (Mid-Back) Mobility: If the upper back is stiff, the arm must over-rotate to compensate.
Shoulder Imbalance: Misalignments in the scapula (shoulder blade) force the elbow to take the brunt of the force.
Pelvic & Spinal Misalignment: Throwing power starts in the legs and hips. If your pelvis is out of alignment, your mechanics break down before the ball even leaves your hand.
How the Gonstead Technique Makes a Difference
At Vertical Chiropractic, we are the only Gonstead Diplomate office on Florida’s southwest coast. This matters for athletes because the Gonstead Technique is incredibly precise.
Instead of "general" adjustments, we use five specific criteria—including digital spinal imaging and thermal instrumentation—to find the exact source of nerve interference and mechanical stress.
Our approach to Baseball Elbow includes:
Specific Spinal Adjustments: Restoring the "powerhouse" of the throw (the hips and spine).
Extremity Adjusting: Precise corrections to the shoulder, elbow, and wrist to ensure the joints are tracking perfectly.
Neurological Integrity: Ensuring the nerves traveling from the neck to the fingertips are firing without interference, which is critical for fine motor control and "feel" on the mound.
Protecting Your Athlete’s Future
The goal isn't just to get your child back on the field for the next game; it's to protect their growth plates and ensure they can play for years to come. By correcting the structural cause of the stress, we don't just mask the pain—we optimize the performance.
Don't let elbow pain end the season early. If your child is complaining of soreness or you’ve noticed their mechanics shifting, it’s time for a structural check-up.
Ready to get your athlete back in the game?
Visit us at our downtown Sarasota office on State Street. We specialize in helping Sarasota families stay active, healthy, and aligned.
📍 Vertical Chiropractic® Sarasota – Building Your Foundation
🌴 Located in the heart of Sarasota, Florida
📞 Call or Text: (941) 413-5099
💻 Visit: www.VerticalChiroFlorida.com
📅 Book your appointment today and start building your foundation for better health and performance.
