In West Des Moines, many young athletes face challenges like Little League Elbow—a condition that affects growing children and adolescents with soft “growth plates.” These growth plates, found in areas of developing bone, remain weak until they fuse in late adolescence.

When your forearm muscles contract forcefully, like during pitching or throwing, they create a tremendous pull on the growth plate of your elbow where the forearm muscles attach.

Pain or swelling develops when the growth plate, tendons, or muscles become irritated or begin to fail. This condition is called “little league elbow” because it strikes up to half of all youth baseball players; but the problem affects many other types of athletes too, typically between the ages of 7-16.

Symptoms of Little League Elbow often appear after increased activity levels, such as longer innings or a higher pitch count, without sufficient rest. If your young athlete experiences any of the following, it’s essential to seek care promptly:

  • 1

    Tenderness or swelling on the inner elbow (medial epicondyle).

  • 2

    Difficulty fully straightening the elbow.

  • 3

    Decreased speed, accuracy, or distance when pitching.

  • 4

    Visible bony enlargement around the elbow joint.

Important: If your child experiences fever, unexplained weight loss, or night sweats, notify your provider immediately, as these may indicate other conditions.

Credit: Information on this page provided by ChiroUp.

Supporting Young Athletes with Expert Care in West Des Moines

At Ashworth Chiropractic in West Des Moines, we specialize in helping young athletes recover from Little League Elbow.

While the condition may temporarily limit your child’s activity, our holistic approach—including chiropractic care, massage therapy, acupuncture, and physical therapy—ensures effective pain relief and recovery.

With our expert care and guidance, your child can return to pain-free activity in a relatively short time.

Chiropractic Care: Aligning Joints for Optimal Recovery

Little League Elbow can stem from imbalances in your child’s musculoskeletal system, especially in the elbow, shoulder, or spine. Our chiropractic adjustments help:

  • Correct joint misalignments that contribute to elbow stress and pain.

  • Improve biomechanics to enhance throwing motion and reduce the risk of reinjury.

  • Promote long-lasting relief by addressing the root cause of repetitive strain.

Massage Therapy: Easing Muscle Tension for Faster Recovery

Overused forearm and upper arm muscles can increase stress on the elbow joint. Our targeted massage therapy helps:

  • Relieve tension in overworked muscles, reducing stress on the elbow.

  • Improve blood flow to promote natural healing and reduce inflammation.

  • Enhance mobility and restore full range of motion to support peak athletic performance.

Acupuncture: A Natural Solution for Pain and Inflammation

For a holistic approach to Little League Elbow, acupuncture offers effective, drug-free relief. Our treatments:

  • Target precise points to reduce inflammation in the elbow and surrounding areas.

  • Stimulate circulation to accelerate recovery and support natural healing.

  • Provide a safe, non-invasive method to manage pain and enhance overall function.

Physical Therapy: Building Strength for Recovery and Prevention

To promote lasting recovery from Little League Elbow, our physical therapy programs focus on:

  • Strengthening the forearm and shoulder muscles to reduce stress on the elbow.

  • Improving flexibility and mechanics to prevent future injuries.

  • Restoring mobility and function to support a safe return to sports activities.

Frequently Asked Questions About Little League Elbow

How do I know if my child has Little League Elbow?

If your child complains of elbow pain after pitching, throwing, or other repetitive arm motions, it may be a sign of Little League Elbow.

Look for symptoms like inner elbow tenderness, difficulty straightening the arm, or reduced throwing performance. A professional evaluation is essential to confirm the diagnosis.

Our holistic approach combines chiropractic care, massage therapy, acupuncture, and physical therapy to address the root causes of Little League Elbow. We focus on pain relief, recovery, and prevention to ensure long-term success.

Yes! Chiropractic adjustments are safe as well as effective for children when performed by trained professionals. We use gentle techniques tailored to your child’s needs to relieve joint stress and improve function.

In most cases, rest is crucial to allow the elbow to heal. However, we tailor treatment plans to each athlete, offering modifications to activity levels when possible. Our goal is to help your child recover without risking further injury.

Motivate your child to rest and avoid activities that strain the elbow. Apply ice packs to reduce swelling, and ensure they follow any stretches or exercises recommended by our team. Proper hydration, nutrition, and sleep also aid recovery.

Prevention strategies include:

  • Monitoring and limiting pitch counts to avoid overuse.
  • Teaching proper throwing mechanics.
  • Incorporating rest days into training schedules.
  • Strengthening shoulder and forearm muscles.
  • We’ll provide personalized advice during treatment to help your child avoid reinjury.
Little League Elbow

Your Path to Wellness Begins Here!

Our experts in chiropractic, physical therapy, acupuncture, and massage therapy work as a team to provide holistic care that meets your specific needs. Book your appointment today and experience coordinated care.

Dr. Matt has done wonders for me and I recommend him highly – I can’t say enough good things about him. Dr. Matt and staff are good people and will take great care of you.

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I really love it here! They are very friendly and I feel Dr. Wilson is giving me great treatment! I also don’t feel pressured into coming back too frequently. The adjustments are great! Great office!

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Dr. Matt and the entire staff have been GREAT! I went in for some issues I was having with my neck and back and Dr. Matt also helped me with some other issues I was having with my calf and shoulders that have made a HUGE improvement in my overall health and comfort.

I highly recommend using Dr. Matt!

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My family have used chiropractic and physical therapy services here and every one of us have had excellent outcomes. I wouldn’t go anywhere else these folks are as good as it gets.

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Very professional and in depth consultation. These people seem to genuinely care about people’s health and progress.

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Dr. Matthew squeezed me in on short notice and took very good care of me. He was very thorough and didn’t just adjust me and let me walk out. Amazing experience here and the receptionist is a sweetheart.

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