Elbow Pain

What Causes Elbow Pain?

Elbow pain can be linked to a variety of health conditions including:

• Arthritis
• Bursitis
• Tendonitis
• Sprains/strains
• Sports injuries
• Repetitive stress injuries

Overuse, or repetitive stress, is an especially common cause. Athletes and people with manual jobs often develop elbow pain after many years of performing the same physical tasks. Many people also injure their elbow by slipping and falling. Whatever the cause of your elbow pain, physical therapy can help.

How is Elbow Pain Treated?

Treatment for elbow pain depends on its cause. If you recently injured your elbow, your doctor may choose to perform additional tests to determine whether you have a fracture or other severe strain, which may require medical treatment.

Elbow pain caused by severe injuries or illnesses may require medication or even surgery. But elbow pain can often be successfully treated with physical therapy. Even if your doctor recommends medication or surgery, physical therapy can still be a crucial part of your treatment strategy.

How Does Physical Therapy Help Relieve Elbow Pain?

Physical therapy works to restore the full function of your elbow. Our physical therapists will develop a personalized treatment plan based on the cause of your elbow pain and the affected tendons or joints.

Your physical therapist will show you exercises that can strengthen muscles, increase flexibility, and improve balance. These exercises help decrease joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. Physical therapy often improves blood flow, which promotes healing and prevents additional injuries.

Your physical therapist may use a variety of therapeutic techniques to relieve your pain. These techniques may include:

• Treatments using heat or ice
• Aquatic therapy
• Massage and manual therapy
• Use of slings, braces, and straps

If your elbow pain is the result of repetitive motion, your physical therapist can also make recommendations for how to avoid these injuries in the future. Your physical therapist may recommend special modifications you can use in your home or workplace.

Physical therapy is often a critical part of recovery from a serious injury or surgery. If your doctor or surgeon has recommended physical therapy sessions, don't put them off. Physical therapy may improve your surgical outcome and help you avoid additional surgeries in the future.

If your elbow pain is causing you distress, call Results Physical Therapy today, or make an appointment online.