Physical Therapy Can Help You Gain Elbow Pain Relief
Have you been struggling to lift or reach because of elbow pain? Are you feeling discomfort in your elbow(s) that just won’t go away? Is your pain interfering with your daily activities and enjoyment of life? Our skilled physical therapists at APEX Physical Therapy in Brighton, MI are here to help you find lasting elbow pain relief.
We know how elbow pain can disrupt your life, and more importantly, we can guide you toward resolving it and regaining your comfort and function!
Request an appointment today to start your journey to pain relief.
Common causes for elbow pain
Elbow pain can arise from various causes. No matter what caused your injury, it’s important to have a physical therapist evaluate it to ensure a speedy recovery without lasting damage.
Here are some frequent reasons people experience elbow pain:
Elbow Sprain / Strain
Many confuse sprains and strains! A sprain is when a ligament is stretched or torn, while a strain affects muscles or tendons similarly.
These injuries are common in the elbow. Sudden overstretching can cause tears, leading to swelling, pain, and trouble moving your arm.
Little Leaguer’s Elbow
Also called medial apophysitis, this overuse injury often affects young baseball or softball players. Repetitive throwing inflames the inner elbow growth plate in skeletally immature athletes.
Pain usually occurs during or right after throwing and worsens with more innings or games. In severe cases, motion loss happens when bending or straightening the elbow.
If untreated, some athletes may suffer an avulsion fracture where a small bone fragment attached to a tendon or ligament pulls away.
Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow can be tendinitis (inflammation) or tendonosis (degeneration). Inflammation of the outer elbow tendons (lateral epicondyle) causes tendinitis, while repetitive tasks often cause tendonosis, which doesn’t respond well to anti-inflammatory meds.
Activities like holding a racket, paintbrush, or hammer commonly trigger tennis elbow. You’ll notice tenderness on the outside of your elbow and pain when gripping, lifting, or twisting your forearm.
Nerve Injuries
Several nerves pass through the elbow into your forearm and hand: ulnar, radial, median, medial and lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerves. These can suffer traction or compression injuries, especially in athletes doing repetitive forceful motions.
Symptoms include numbness, tingling, or temperature changes. Swelling from overuse can impair nerve function. Severe injuries may disrupt muscle control and cause paralysis.
Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) Sprain
This injury stretches or tears the ligaments on the inside of your elbow, typically from throwing motions. Among professional baseball players, UCL injuries make up 10% of all injuries and can seriously impact careers.
Tendonopathy
Tendonopathy covers any tendon problem, from disease to injury. Common types include:
– Tendonitis: inflammation usually from small tears, causing pain and swelling that heal relatively quickly.
– Tendonosis: a degenerative, overuse condition without inflammation, often slow to heal and potentially worsened by anti-inflammatory treatments.
Knowing the difference is key to effective healing.
Golfer’s Elbow
Also called medial epicondylitis, this resembles tennis elbow but affects the inner elbow. It results from overusing muscles that flex the wrist and fingers and can be tendinitis or tendonosis.
Elbow Fractures (Olecranon)
Falls often cause elbow fractures since people instinctively brace with their arms. Immobilization is usually necessary, but it can lead to stiffness, weakness, and ongoing pain.
Fortunately, our physical therapists at APEX Physical Therapy in Brighton, MI have experience helping people of all ages recover function after fractures and immobilization.
Are you searching for elbow pain relief in Brighton, MI ?
Physical therapy is a proven way to ease elbow pain. At APEX Physical Therapy, we use hands-on techniques to reduce pain, boost circulation, and restore your range of motion. Our programs also focus on improving strength, nerve function, and your ability to use your elbow fully.
Many patients tell us that physical therapy helped them avoid costly medications and surgeries.
Our experienced therapists will carefully assess your condition and take a thorough history to identify the root causes affecting your elbow and rehabilitation goals.
Then, they’ll design a personalized treatment plan with exercises to relieve your pain, enhance motion and strength, and get you back to normal function.
No two treatments are alike because every patient’s needs are unique! You’ll also receive exercises to do at home, helping you manage discomfort and continue progressing between visits.
