How Physiotherapy Can Help Elbow Pain

Understanding Elbow Pain

The elbow is a complex joint formed by the humerus (upper arm bone), radius, and ulna (forearm bones). It acts as a hinge and pivot, allowing you to bend, straighten, and rotate your forearm. The elbow is supported by muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves, all of which can be sources of pain when injured or overused.

Common causes of elbow pain include:

• Overuse injuries (e.g. from repetitive work or sport)
• Acute injuries (e.g. a fall or strain)
• Tendonitis or tendinopathy (inflammation or degeneration of tendons)
• Joint degeneration or arthritis
• Nerve compression or referral from the neck or shoulder

Because the elbow is used in so many movements, especially in lifting, gripping and weight-bearing tasks, pain in this area can easily become persistent if not properly treated.

Common Elbow Conditions We Treat at PR Physio

At PR Physio, we are experienced in managing a wide range of elbow-related conditions, including:

1. Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)

Tennis elbow is the most common cause of elbow pain. Despite its name, it often affects non-athletes and people who do repetitive hand or wrist activities like typing, gardening, painting or manual labour. It causes pain on the outside of the elbow due to overuse of the forearm extensor tendons.

2. Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)

Similar to tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow involves pain on the inside of the elbow due to overuse of the forearm flexor tendons. It’s common in athletes, tradespeople and office workers.

3. Olecranon Bursitis

This is inflammation of the bursa (a small fluid-filled sac) over the point of the elbow. It may be caused by prolonged pressure, trauma or infection.

4. Elbow Sprains and Strains

These can result from a sudden injury, overexertion or repetitive movement, leading to pain, swelling and reduced range of motion.

5. Nerve Entrapments (e.g. Cubital Tunnel Syndrome)

Nerves running through the elbow (like the ulnar nerve) can become compressed, leading to numbness, tingling or weakness in the hand and fingers.

6. Arthritis or Joint Degeneration

Age-related changes or inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis can lead to elbow stiffness, swelling and aching.

How Physiotherapy at PR Physio Can Help

At PR Physio, we use a comprehensive, personalised approach to treat elbow pain. Our aim is not just to relieve symptoms, but to address the underlying cause, restore function and help you return to the activities you love.

Here’s how our process works:

1. Detailed Assessment and Diagnosis

We begin with a thorough consultation to understand:

• Your symptoms (pain location, type, triggers, and duration)
• Your activity levels and daily demands
• Any relevant history of injury or repetitive strain
• Contributing factors from your posture, shoulder, neck, or wrist
• We then conduct a physical examination, which may include:
• Joint and soft tissue palpation
• Range of motion testing
• Strength and grip assessments
• Nerve function screening
• Functional movement analysis (e.g. lifting, typing or sport-specific tasks)

This allows us to identify the exact source of your pain and develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs.

2. Hands-On Treatment for Pain Relief

In the early stages of recovery, the goal is to reduce pain and inflammation, improve movement and restore comfort. Our physiotherapists use a combination of manual therapy techniques, which may include:

• Soft tissue massage to reduce muscle tension
• Joint mobilisation to improve stiffness and alignment
• Trigger point release for referred pain
• Taping or bracing to support the joint and reduce load
• Dry needling (if appropriate) to release deep muscle tension points

These techniques are targeted and effective, helping to reduce your symptoms and prepare you for active rehab.

3. Tailored Exercise Programs

Exercise is crucial for long-term recovery from elbow pain. But not all exercises are suitable for every condition, especially during flare-ups. That’s why at PR Physio, we design a custom rehabilitation program based on your condition, goals and progress.

Your program may include:

• Stretching exercises to restore flexibility
• Strengthening for the forearm, upper arm and grip muscles
• Eccentric loading exercises for tendon rehab (especially for tennis/golfer’s elbow)
• Postural training to reduce load on the elbow from the neck and shoulder
• Functional movements based on your job, sport or hobbies

We’ll guide you through each stage of your programme, progressing it at the right time to ensure a safe and sustainable recovery.

4. Education and Activity Modification

Understanding your condition is key to managing it well. We take the time to educate you on:

• What’s causing your pain
• How to modify daily activities to reduce strain
• Ergonomic tips (e.g. for computer use, lifting or manual tasks)
• How to warm up, stretch and recover properly
• When to rest and when to move

This empowers you to make better choices and reduce the risk of recurrence.

5. Long-Term Management and Prevention

Elbow pain, particularly from overuse, often becomes recurrent if the root causes aren’t addressed. At PR Physio, we focus on long-term strategies to keep you pain-free, including:

• Advanced strength and stability work
• Return-to-sport or return-to-work planning
• Advice on load management and injury prevention
• Ongoing reviews to monitor your progress

Our goal is to help you move with confidence and avoid future setbacks.