Elbow Pain

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Elbow Pain

Expert Solutions for Elbow Pain

At Mid West Physiotherapy, we know how challenging elbow pain can be, whether it’s hindering your ability to work, exercise, or simply carry out daily tasks. Whether caused by an injury, overuse, or age-related conditions like arthritis, elbow pain can impact anyone. Our expert physiotherapists are here to help you restore movement, build strength, and reduce discomfort. With the right treatment and support, we can help you recover quickly and sustainably, so you can get back to living life without the limitations of elbow pain.

We take a personal approach to diagnosing and treating elbow conditions, tailoring each treatment plan to your unique situation. Our focus is not only on relieving pain but also on preventing further issues, helping you to achieve the best possible recovery long term results.

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Typical Elbow Pain Conditions

Elbow issues can arise from a variety of causes, including injury, overuse, or degenerative conditions. Some of the most common elbow problems we treat here at the clinic include:
  • Tennis Elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
  • Golfer's Elbow (medial epicondylitis)
  • Olecranon Bursitis (elbow bursitis)
  • Elbow tendonitis
  • Ligament Injuries (UCL injuries, sprains)
  • Elbow dislocation
  • Arthritis (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis)

If you’re experiencing elbow pain, it may be related to one of the common conditions listed above. Typical symptoms of elbow problems include:

  • Pain: Ranging from a dull ache to sharp, intense pain during activity or at rest, often on the inside or outside of the elbow.
  • Swelling: The elbow may become visibly swollen, particularly after activity or injury.
  • Stiffness: Difficulty bending or straightening the elbow, especially after prolonged rest or inactivity.
  • Weakness: A feeling of instability or weakness in the elbow, especially when lifting objects or during movements that require arm strength.
  • Tenderness: Sensitivity around the elbow joint, which may increase when pressure is applied or when certain movements are performed.
  • Sounds: Audible sounds when moving the elbow e.g. clicking, popping, grinding or cracking.
  • Limited range of motion: Difficulty moving the elbow fully, affecting activities such as lifting, pushing, or pulling.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to get a professional assessment to determine the cause and develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs.

The most important part of our assessment is understanding how your elbow pain is affecting your daily life. We focus on how the pain impacts your movement, what activities aggravate or relieve the pain, and the factors that contribute to your discomfort. By gathering this information, we can create a personalised treatment plan aimed at improving function, relieving pain, and promoting faster recovery.

Typically, you will be given a tailored exercise program to follow at home. These exercises will help improve strength, flexibility, and range of motion, which will speed up your recovery. Your physiotherapist will support you throughout the process, tracking your progress, making necessary adjustments, and celebrating your milestones along the way. Our goal is not only to relieve pain but to empower you with the tools and knowledge needed to maintain your recovery and prevent future elbow injuries.

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FAQs - Physiotherapy for Elbow Pain

Elbow pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including overuse, repetitive movements, sports injuries, arthritis, or tendonitis. Common conditions include tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, and bursitis. A physiotherapy assessment can help determine the exact cause of your pain.
If your elbow pain is persistent, limits your ability to perform daily tasks, or doesn’t improve with rest, physiotherapy can help. It’s also beneficial if you experience weakness, swelling, or difficulty with movements like lifting or gripping. A physiotherapist can assess your condition and recommend the best course of treatment.

Physiotherapy offers many benefits, including:

  • Pain relief: Reduce discomfort and inflammation through targeted treatments and exercises, minimising reliance on pain medication.
  • Improved mobility: Restore flexibility and range of motion, making it easier to perform everyday tasks and activities.
  • Strengthening: Build strength in the muscles around the elbow to provide better support and prevent future strain.
  • Non-surgical treatment: Many elbow conditions can be treated effectively without the need for surgery, making physiotherapy a safe and effective solution for elbow pain.
All of our physiotherapists at Mid West Physiotherapy are highly trained and experienced in elbow pain and injuries. Any one of our team would be delighted to create a recovery plan with you to resolve your elbow issue and get you back doing what you love best.
During your first visit to us, your physiotherapist will conduct a thorough assessment to better understand your condition, lifestyle and recovery goals. This will include:
  • A discussion of your medical history, symptoms, lifestyle and recovery goals.
  • A physical examination to evaluate your posture, flexibility, strength, and movement.
  • Identifying the underlying causes of your pain.
  • Development of a customised treatment plan.

Your treatment plan will focus on both relieving your pain and improving your long-term mobility. We will explain every step of the process so you can feel confident in your care.

Our treatment techniques include:
  • Manual therapy: Hands-on techniques to relieve tension, improve joint mobility and reduce pain.
  • Therapeutic exercises: Customised rehabilitation programmes to strengthen weak muscles, improve flexibility, and restore optimal movement.
  • Posture and biomechanical assessment: We evaluate your posture and movement patterns to identify contributing factors to elbow pain.
  • Heat therapy: To reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
  • Ultrasound therapy: To relieve certain soft tissue injuries and inflammation.
  • Shockwave therapy: To relieve certain soft tissue injuries, chronic conditions and musculoskeletal issues
  • Electrical stimulation: To help reduce pain and stimulate muscle function.
  • Taping, bracing and supports: Therapeutic taping techniques, bracing or supports can help stabilise the elbow and relieve pressure on damaged tissues during the healing process.
  • Dry needling: A technique used to target trigger points in muscles and release tension.
  • Education: We educate you on body mechanics, posture and movement techniques to prevent further injury and ensure proper healing.

Your physiotherapist will incorporate the most appropriate treatment techniques and modalities into your recovery programme. 

In most cases you will not need an x-ray or MRI, unless you have been advised to do so by a doctor or physiotherapist.
The frequency of visits will depend on your pain/injury, treatment goals, and progress. In the early stages of recovery, you may need to visit weekly. As you improve, the frequency will decrease, and you may transition to home exercises. Your physiotherapist will continuously assess your progress and adjust your treatment schedule accordingly.
The recovery time for elbow pain depends on the type and severity of the condition. For mild issues, you can expect improvement within a few weeks with the help of your physiotherapy and rehabilitation programme. However, more severe injuries, like tendon tears or significant strains, may take several months to heal fully. Your physiotherapist will work with you to set realistic recovery goals and adjust your treatment plan based on your progress.
Not necessarily. While rest is important in the initial stages of healing, your physiotherapist will guide you on how to perform modified exercises to stay active without aggravating your elbow. Active rest—engaging in low-impact activities—can help maintain strength and flexibility as you recover.
Your physiotherapist will provide guidance on the best ways to prevent future elbow pain or injury. Recommendations may include:
  • Strengthening the muscles around the elbow (forearm muscles, biceps, and triceps).
  • Improving flexibility to maintain full range of motion.
  • Correcting posture and movement patterns (working with a physiotherapist to address any biomechanical issues).
  • Avoiding repetitive motions that strain the elbow, such as excessive gripping or overhead movements.
  • Incorporating exercises to improve elbow stability and overall arm strength.
The UK Chartered Society of Physiotherapists has excellent resources on their website on elbow pain. Here you will find evidence-based facts, videos and guidance to help you overcome your elbow pain.

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If you’re ready to take the first step towards resolving your elbow pain, book your appointment today. You can book online via the button below, or you can contact our reception team on 061-201444.
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