

How to Relieve Your Elbow Pain at the Source
Elbow pain and injury respond favourably to physiotherapy intervention when early treatment is sought. An accurate diagnosis is your key to a prompt recovery.
Diagnosing the source of your elbow pain can be complicated even for experienced upper limb health practitioners. Elbow pain can be caused by a multitude of sources. These may be local structures, referred structures and other systemic conditions.
Local elbow pain is commonly caused by a local muscle, tendon or joint injury. Alternatively, elbow pain can be referred from your neck joints. Lateral elbow pain (eg tennis elbow) can be commonly caused by irritation or compromise of your C5/6 nerve. In this example, a neck problem can refer pain to the lateral aspect of your elbow. Treatment directed at the elbow in this instant will not resolve your elbow pain. It will require neck treatment directed at your cervical radiculopathy to be successful. Hence, an accurate diagnosis from a health practitioner skilled in the thorough assessment of elbow pain is highly recommended.
For more specific advice regarding your elbow pain, please consult your trusted health practitioner.
Common Sources of Elbow Pain
The most common source of elbow pain that presents clinically is lateral epicondylalgia (lateral elbow pain). This is also the medical term to describe tennis elbow.
Medial epicondylalgia (medial elbow pain) is a similar condition on the inner aspect of your elbow and is commonly known as golfers elbow.
Elbow Pain
Please visit the links below for some of the more common sources of elbow pain.Elbow-related Arm Pain
Neck-related Arm Pain
Muscle-related Arm Pain
- Cramps
- DOMS - Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness
- Muscle Strain (Muscle Pain)
- RSI - Repetitive Strain Injury
- Overuse Injuries
Other Sources of Arm Pain
Common Treatments For Elbow Pain
With accurate assessment and early treatment, most elbow pain responds extremely quickly to physiotherapy that will allow you to quickly resume pain-free and normal activities of daily living. Some conditions may require diagnostic investigations such as X-rays, ultrasound, MRI or CT scan. Fractures, dislocations and some severe or chronic injuries may require surgical opinion and/or intervention Please ask your physiotherapist for their professional treatment advice.- Early Injury Treatment
- Avoid the HARM Factors
- What to do after a Muscle Strain or Ligament Sprain?
- Acupuncture and Dry Needling
- Sub-Acute Soft Tissue Injury Treatment
- Scapular Stabilisation Exercises
- Closed Kinetic Chain Exercises
- Biomechanical Analysis
- Agility & Sport-Specific Exercises
- Ergonomics
- Soft Tissue Massage
- Brace or Support
- Dry Needling
- Electrotherapy & Local Modalities
- Heat Packs
- Joint Mobilisation Techniques
- Kinesiology Tape
- Neurodynamics
- Prehabilitation
- Strength Exercises
- Stretching Exercises
- Supportive Taping & Strapping
- TENS Machine