Elbow Pain Treatment & Therapy

Do you have elbow pain when you reach into the fridge to grab a carton of milk, grip your steering wheel, or when you use a mouse or keyboard?

Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)

This is an overuse injury that causes pain and inflammation of the tendons that attach to the outer bony prominence (lateral epicondyle) of the elbow.

Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer’s Elbow)

This is a condition that causes pain where the tendons of your forearm muscles attach to the bony bump on the inside of your elbow.

Ulnar Nerve Compression

The ulnar nerve passes through a boney groove along the inside of the elbow.

Physiotherapy Treatment

Management of the above conditions has been proven to be helpful in relieving pain, speed up recovery and rehabilitate chronic issues in the elbow.

To book an appointment, Call Us today at 416-691-3943 or contact us here.

Frequently Asked Questions About Elbow Pain

How do you assess elbow pain?

An assessment of your elbow pain starts with a conversation between you and your therapist to determine when and how the elbow pain started, what type of pain it is, the severity and factors that worsen or improve the pain. Next, your therapist will perform a physical examinination, which may involve looking at your elbow's range of movement, strength, stability, and/or performing specific tests to examine different muscles, tendons, or nerves around the elbow. Using the results of both the conversation and the physical examination, your therapist will design a treatment plan to address your specific pain and the factors that led to it.

Is elbow pain therapy painful?

During the treatment of elbow pain, there may be some exercises and manual therapy techniques that are uncomfortable. This is normal and your feedback is an important part of tailoring the treatment protocol to you. This means that while some discomfort may occur, the exercises and manual therapy techniques employed will be modified based on your feedback so that they keep you on track to see week over week improvements in pain and function.

How long does therapy take for elbow pain?

Therapy for elbow pain depends on many factors, including the specific injury, how long you have been experiencing it, and the ability to modify or stop painful activities as part of your recovery. During your assessment, your therapist will explain the injury to you and will give you a rough estimate as to how long the therapy will take.

When should you see a therapist for elbow pain?

"While there are many types of elbow pain, some of which can naturally go away on their own, there are some definite times that you should see a therapist for your elbow pain. If your pain is the result of a traumatic incident (for example, a fall or your arm or elbow being hit or a sudden pain when lifting or throwing), it is a good idea to see a therapist to have your pain evaluated to rule out the need for X-rays or surgery. For elbow pain that has started with no specific cause, you should see a therapist if it is not improving and is interfering with your normal daily activities or work. Your therapist will work with you to help get you back to your activity as soon as possible."

Is heat or cold better for elbow tendonitis?

For sudden onset elbow tendonitis, use of cold for the first 3-5 days is ideal. This is because it helps limit the swelling and inflammation in the area, which can contribute to pain. Ice can also be used after the first 5 days for pain relief. However, after the first 5 days of a sudden onset tendonitis, or for tendinopathies that have been painful over a longer period, heat may be better. This is because the heat increases circulation to the elbow, which aids in healing and also decreases the tightness and guarding of muscles at the elbow. Despite these guidelines, more and more research is showing that when it comes down to heat vs cold, the best to use is the one that feels the best to you.

Does a compression sleeve help tennis elbow?

A compression sleeve can help with the pain with tennis elbow. It does this by reducing the amount of swelling and inflammation at the site of the pain. In addition, it promotes better circulation, which can aid in the healing process. Another benefit is that compression can feel comforting and supportive, which can help improve how you feel about your elbow and enhance your healing.

What are some ways to prevent elbow pain?

Elbow pain can be prevented through a few simple steps. First, it is important to keep healthy and active, including some form of resistance training 2-3 times per week. This helps ensure that the muscles around your elbow are strong and resilient. Next, when doing activities that are intense or repetitive that involve the elbow, it is good to do a warm up. Care should be taken when performing repetitive tasks so that you vary how you perform the task, take plenty of rest breaks, and do not do too much too soon. Finally, it is important to perform some self care, such as stretching, self-massage, or soft tissue release, especially after new or repetitive tasks, to help your body recover.