Physiotherapy - Elbows
There are a number of causes of elbow pain, including ligament sprain, bursitis, bone injury or a nerve irritation local to the elbow or referred from the neck, upper back or shoulder. One of the most common causes of elbow pain is repetitive strain or overuse of the muscles of the forearm. Eventually, the muscle and tendon can become overloaded and result in pain or weakness with any hand movements.
Physiotherapy for Elbow Injuries
A physiotherapist can perform an assessment to determine a customized treatment plan to help you reduce pain and regain your normal strength and function. Usually, your physiotherapist will start you off with exercises to improve your range of motion and strengthen your arm. If you’ve been hospitalized for elbow surgery, your physiotherapy treatment may begin in the hospital, and continue as you recover.
Types of Physiotherapy for Elbow Injuries
• Range of motion and strengthening exercises
• Manual therapy (hands-on manipulation)
• Ultrasound: This deep heating treatment is administered by your physical therapist using a wand that’s connected to an ultrasound machine pressed against your skin.
• Dry needling and/or acupuncture: Some patients find relief from a practitioner inserting short, thin needles into pressure points.
• TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation): Your physiotherapist may use this technique to decrease pain around the injury.
• Taping: Your physiotherapist may tape the injured site to provide support and stability while you heal.
• Heat therapy: The physiotherapist may incorporate heat into your treatment to reduce pain, increase circulation and relax the muscles.
• Massage and other soft tissue techniques
Your physiotherapist can help you avoid activities and exercises that trigger pain and discomfort. Helping you regain functional use of your arm is the primary goal of your physiotherapist. The sooner you see out a physiotherapist for treatment after an injury or surgery, the better your outcome will be.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you'd like more information on physiotherapy for elbow injuries.
Visit HealthChoicesFirst.com for more videos and resources on orthopedics.
Print this Action Plan and check off items that you want to discuss with your healthcare provider
-
Usually, your physiotherapist will start you off with exercises to improve your range of motion and strengthen your arm. If you’ve been hospitalized for elbow surgery, your physiotherapy treatment may begin in the hospital, and continue as you recover.
-
Depending on your injury, your physiotherapist will recommend treatments such as ultrasound, dry needling/acupuncture, taping, TENS, heat therapy and massage.
-
You'll do range of motion and strengthening exercises, combined with manual therapy (hands-on manipulation) with your physiotherapist.
-
The sooner you see out a physiotherapist for treatment after an injury or surgery, the better your outcome will be.
-
One of the most common causes of elbow pain is repetitive strain or overuse of the muscles of the forearm. Eventually, the muscle and tendon can become overloaded and result in pain or weakness with any hand movements.
Upper Body
Lower Body
General
Sports Related
Physiotherapy - Elbows
Knowledge is Power.
True/False - Quiz: Do You Understand Physiotherapy - Elbows?
Action Plan - Physiotherapy - Elbows
There are a number of causes of elbow pain, including ligament sprain, bursitis, bone injury or a nerve irritation local to the elbow or referred from the neck, upper back or shoulder. One of the most common causes of elbow pain is repetitive strain or overuse of the muscles of the forearm. Eventually, the muscle and tendon can become overloaded and result in pain or weakness with any hand movements.
Physiotherapy for Elbow Injuries
A physiotherapist can perform an assessment to determine a customized treatment plan to help you reduce pain and regain your normal strength and function. Usually, your physiotherapist will start you off with exercises to improve your range of motion and strengthen your arm. If you’ve been hospitalized for elbow surgery, your physiotherapy treatment may begin in the hospital, and continue as you recover.
Types of Physiotherapy for Elbow Injuries
• Range of motion and strengthening exercises
• Manual therapy (hands-on manipulation)
• Ultrasound: This deep heating treatment is administered by your physical therapist using a wand that’s connected to an ultrasound machine pressed against your skin.
• Dry needling and/or acupuncture: Some patients find relief from a practitioner inserting short, thin needles into pressure points.
• TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation): Your physiotherapist may use this technique to decrease pain around the injury.
• Taping: Your physiotherapist may tape the injured site to provide support and stability while you heal.
• Heat therapy: The physiotherapist may incorporate heat into your treatment to reduce pain, increase circulation and relax the muscles.
• Massage and other soft tissue techniques
Your physiotherapist can help you avoid activities and exercises that trigger pain and discomfort. Helping you regain functional use of your arm is the primary goal of your physiotherapist. The sooner you see out a physiotherapist for treatment after an injury or surgery, the better your outcome will be.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you'd like more information on physiotherapy for elbow injuries.
Visit HealthChoicesFirst.com for more videos and resources on orthopedics.
Print this Action Plan and check off items that you want to discuss with your healthcare provider
-
Usually, your physiotherapist will start you off with exercises to improve your range of motion and strengthen your arm. If you’ve been hospitalized for elbow surgery, your physiotherapy treatment may begin in the hospital, and continue as you recover.
-
Depending on your injury, your physiotherapist will recommend treatments such as ultrasound, dry needling/acupuncture, taping, TENS, heat therapy and massage.
-
You'll do range of motion and strengthening exercises, combined with manual therapy (hands-on manipulation) with your physiotherapist.
-
The sooner you see out a physiotherapist for treatment after an injury or surgery, the better your outcome will be.
-
One of the most common causes of elbow pain is repetitive strain or overuse of the muscles of the forearm. Eventually, the muscle and tendon can become overloaded and result in pain or weakness with any hand movements.
